Animal Padre's
Christians Against All Animal Abuse
"Christ’s redemption is for the whole of creation!"

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From Autumn 2006 Issue

Two Ways Of Evading Responsibility

There are two proven ways of evading responsibility. One is to get so enthralled in a novel as to substitute a life of fiction for one of reality. The other is to become so philosophical as to realise that whatever conclusion one arrives at, a contrary opinion needs to be sought out and analysed. Consequently no action is ever taken. Yes, I am aware of many who are so absorbed in the, so-called, academic sphere that one never sees them taking a moral stand practically. Very sadly this is frequently the case within the world of those who prefer to call themselves animal welfare rather than rights.

Subtle ways of being side tracked are only too common. Hence it is little wonder that great moral change has seldom come from the bookworm mentality. Rather it is to humble, practical folk such as Francis Of Assisi, Abraham Lincoln, William Wilberforce, William Booth, William Carey, Gladys Ayleward, Mother Theresa – and countless others – that we owe it for past moral impetus. This, of course, is not to minimise intellectuals such as a past Schweitzer, a C.S. Lewis or an up to date Andrew Linzey - whose theological books on animal rights are – slow but sure – finding a place in most theological foundations. However, such pioneers as these have surely been the notable exceptions?

The fact is that while so many academics waffle and live in their worlds of fantasy the vulnerable occupants of this world – animal as well as human – are being appallingly abused. Yes, because few, in deed there are, who are prepared to get their own hands dirty by saying ‘enough is enough!’ My own Mum – now many years in Paradise – used to say to me what I’ve repeated time and time again: “Don’t just dream about good deeds; go out and start doing them for a change!” Yes, and how right she was! We can’t waste any more time shedding tears over the character of some work of fiction – a sloppy magazine or a top Booker prize. Neither should we philosophise in circles so as to evade confrontation by subtly rationalising for both the hare as well as the hounds. The Bible passage says: ‘choose you this day whom you will serve!” Bunyan’s ‘Mr facing two ways’ is harmful to both our psyche as well as the development of character. From now on, when approached by evil, we must cease from ‘making waffles’. We need to step in to the breach and emulate a Martin Luther or a Luther King.

Go on to We Need To Identify Ourselves
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