animals aren't worthy of our love and attention

[puppydog]

Hrm . . . unfortunately, I hate to say it, but every religion, and then some, have such ideas. Or, at least, people who have ideas like that. I've been to India, home of ahimsa . . . and seen how animals are treated there. I know people who have been to Muslim nations, and the results are not much better. In China, under Maoist rule, which was athiest, animals were treated in appalling ways, (oet dogs especially) and they still are in China. Cruelty to animals doesn't need a religious or ideological justifaction, though people will invent one if they feel they need to. Instead it stems from the same root as much cruelty towards other humans: selfishness, ignorance, indifference, and, god help us all, sadism.

I'm not sure what you mean by "heathen," I'm guessing neo-pagan or wiccan, both of which these days encourage kindness towards animals . . . but the religions from which they are decended did not . . . at least, did not do so in practice.

There are Christians, and Christian organizations, that encourage kindness and compassion towards animals . . . and there are those that don't. I know the same is true of Hinduism and its cousins, Buddhism and Jainism. I don't know, but am fairly certain, that there are Jewish and Muslim organizations as well.

"Even the devil can quote scripture" . . . if you want a justification for cruelty and indifference, you will find it in your faith. But if you do, then perhaps you've missed the entire point . . .

Hrm, well I am glad to say that I do not believe that there is any god. I do not believe in a higher power.

 

[blue]

Hrm, well I am glad to say that I do not believe that there is any god. I do not believe in a higher power.

Hrm, well Im glad to say I have decided you are a figment of my imagination. Thanks for participating.

Tessa sorry for the highjack.

 

[Dizzy]

Hrm, well Im glad to say I have decided you are a figment of my imagination. Thanks for participating.

Tessa sorry for the highjack.

I have never understood why you change the colour of the text so it doesn't show? What is the point?

You either want people to see it and think it is funny, or don't want them to see it, in which case, why do it? I can only relate it to a text version of when children say something and cough it under their breath.

 

[puppydog]

Chuckle!

 

[Lilavati]

Hrm, well I am glad to say that I do not believe that there is any god. I do not believe in a higher power.

You seem to have missed my point.

 

[RD]

Whether or not anyone believes in a higher power, I think it's sad that some people treat other species with such distaste. If we are truly so superior to all of Earth's creatures, we should find it in our hearts to love and protect them - not push them aside because they're not humans. WE aren't a higher power, we're just animals too.

I find any kind of religious brainwashing to be disturbing. I see the same attitude from people at the church my mom goes to. They all feel that way because they think they're supposed to. It's disgusting and reminds me why I have trouble tolerating "religion". I believe in a higher power and try to follow Jesus' teachings, but I can't force myself to believe what I hear from other people about what GOD wants for ME. My faith is between me and what I believe in.

Tessa, have you seen those Christ Follower/Christian videos? The parody of the Mac/PC commercials?