LettersLetter From Jenny Moxham about Respecting All Life
Letters From All-Creatures.org and The Mary T. and Frank L. Hoffman Family Foundation

As published in The Advertiser (Adelaide, South Australia)
October 20, 2014

Respect all life

We have just marked the week of prayer for world peace and although it was founded with humans in mind, I’d say the animals need it more.

Just a fortnight ago 100 million sheep, goats, cattle and camels were terrifyingly and brutally “sacrificed” during the Islamic Festival of Sacrifice.

Around the same time thousand of chickens were ritually slaughtered as part of the annual Jewish Kapparot ritual.

In a few weeks 250,000 water buffaloes, pigs, goats, chicken and pigeons will be
sacrificed to please a Hindu goddess. Christians are not guilt-free either. Soon our
slaughterhouses will be redder than Santa’s coat as millions of turkeys and piglets are transformed into “Christmas roasts” to celebrate that time of peace and goodwill on Earth.

The great Albert Schweitzer wisely said, “Any religion or philosophy which is not based on a respect for life is not a true religion or philosophy”.

He also observed, “Until he extends the circle of his compassion to all living things, man will not himself find peace”. 

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