Where, indeed, should a caring pastor draw the line?
In a previous Scottish parish I invited a fellow - who in today’s
distorted English, most would refer to as ‘gay’! - to be Doreen’s
deputy organist. He was a most likeable fellow devoted to an older
partner. Yet my appointment hardly went well with some parishioners
concerned about vulnerable members in the choir’. Yet Tom Tucker,
(truly his name!), was a gem of a fellow. “Do come round for tea
Rector!”, he insisted one day “I’d like you to meet a friend who is a
solicitor just arrived from London!”
Well I graciously
accepted his kind invitation and was soon seated across from a most
gorgeous looking blond whom, if I hadn’t been married to Doreen, I
might have fallen for myself. “I’m so pleased to meet you” I said, and
then stretched across to graciously clasp her hand. Well, imagine the
shock when an extremely gruff voice, as if from down in a cellar,
replied: “I’m equally pleased to meet you Rector! I’ve heard a lot of
gracious things about you.” Well I could have dropped through
the floor. Yes, and down in to the cellar as well!,
However,
I much later learned that not only had ‘she’ been a man who’d recently
undergone a sex change, but that her hair was no more than a wig and,
was covering a head that was ‘as bald as a badger’s. Consequently, I
started having second thoughts: asking myself: ‘how tolerant and
non-judgmental should one become? What kind of an example, as Rector
am I setting to so many vulnerable youngsters within the parish?
Now why do I mention all this? Well, it’s simply that if folk have the
money to spend on themselves, then let them go ahead and have bits
chopped off from here and there, or else added on as well! Yes,
but when they become disgruntled and demand that such sex operations
be ‘paid for’ via the tax payer, then that is where I draw the line!
What is more, how ungrateful folk must surely be when they go around
bemoaning the fact that they feel incarcerated within the wrong type
of sexual body!
Indeed, why on earth don’t they focus on the
high probability that The Almighty – possibly this time round? – could
have chosen to put them in to the body of a beetle under a stone; a
lobster in a pot; a tiger in a cage; or a monkey in a vivisectionists
breeding cage to be used for endless experimentation? Yes, one could
go ‘on and on!’ Sufficient to say that ‘the penny has dropped’ for
us!’ But for the vast majority of humans on thiis planet, they
conveniently prefer not to think along such lines. For, as the
familiar saying has it: ‘Where ignorance is bliss, tis folly to be
wise’ Or is it?
Two recent books I herewith review:
‘Animals Betrayed’, by veteran
campaigner: Joan Court:
Joan Court has brought out yet another
inspiring publication which is very much a run down on some present
animal activists. They come from a variety of backgrounds! Indeed,
some are humble, gentle souls who are not far from being saints within
the movement. They are largely current activists whose concern to get
across the cause is so deep as to eclipse their own role within it.
Yes, folk who are the very salt of such a varied, loose held movement!
Other personalities, however, appear to be from quite a different
breed. They are more akin to loud-mouthed agitators who frequently
appear to welcome a prison sentence! One wonders what other cause
they would have affiliated themselves to if there had been no opening
in the animal rights world! Their rough, forceful and loud lack of
common, every day courtesies, and willingness to clash with the
police, may not endear some, But then it takes all sorts to make a
world, and the animal cause is one such a world in itself
For
revealing a true cross section of those in today’s Animal Activism I
feel such a book is quite a gem.
Published by: Selene Press, 74, Sturton St.
Cambridge CB1 2QA (01223 311828) ISBN 978-0-9543
___________
‘The Wisdom Of Animals’, by Vernon & Donna Antoinette Coleman
Dr Vernon Coleman is – without any exaggeration – the most
profound and equally the most palatable and easy to follow writer I’ve
come across. His style is unique to himself, and one of his top
specialities is animal welfare. Consequently, this latest publication:
‘The Wisdom Of Animals’, price £10, is a ‘must’ for the desk or
library of every balanced minded, serious thinking, animal activist.
Having read this attractively bound hardback, one realises –
more than one has ever done before! – the true worth of animals. They
are not commodities for research, the palate, the fur trade or any
sick sport of man; but, rather, fellow creatures on this planet with
much superior insight in so many ways to that of our own. Indeed, I
commend such a most timely publication as this, as one for ‘top
priority’ reading.
Published by: Blue books, PO Box 639,
Weston-Super-Mare. BS23 9ND
ISBN 978-1-899726-27-1
Go on to
Hannnah Moorcroft: Promoted To Glory!
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