So, I've known about all this for a long time. Factory farming is on my list of practices I'd like to see end... but of course, its also on my list of practices that I mostly try to ignore because it is very painful to think about. I'm an animal lover, and I find that most of the time, I have an easier time being empathetic towards animals. However, I'm not sure that I've been called to sit here turning my head the opposite direction to save myself some pain. I believe that when Christ asked us to 'do unto the least of these' he may have included these unfortunate animals. As a person of faith, I find that very often I am butting my head against a wall when I've expressed that feeling to other people of faith. I don't understand why that is- but it is a disappointment to me. I guess my feeling has always been that if God called something good, and then told the nearest humans to eat fruits and nuts.. umm.. maybe meat eating wasn't ever the ideal. And especially not the over consumption of meat. Calves kept immobile in crates (to encourage anemia for that wonderful white veal), baby roosters thrown away alive, ducks overfed for their fatty liver, pigs imprisoned, cows separated from their babies, cattle skinned before they die- it goes on and on. How long will we allow this lack of compassion?
This past week, Christian Vegetarian Association sent out a link to this movie- Take an hour to watch this beautiful documentary - and keep the tissues handy. -
Maybe you'll be inspired and moved enough to become a full time vegetarian. For myself, this is much more than just showing kindness to creatures that we share the planet with- it is what will ultimately save our souls.
