by Rev. LoraKim Joyner, DVM, UFETA President
[email protected]
-Reprinted with permission from the newsletter of the Unitarian
Universalists for the Ethical Treatment of Animals-
A major concern about supporting nonhuman animal justice
issues that I often hear expressed is that human problems merit more
attention than nonhuman problems. Maybe you have faced this in your own
congregation when people ask - "Why should I worry about chickens when
war is about to break out in Iraq?"
Indeed it is difficult to decide to spend time and
resources on nonhuman animals when humans are suffering so. In fact,
this dilemma was part of the reason why I discontinued practicing
veterinary medicine. I was an avian (bird) wildlife veterinarian for
many years and worked in countries where there was rapid and imminent
threat of the demise of bird populations and species.
The birds of these countries not only were threatened,
but so were the people - war torn Guatemala was brutal. Often the birds
I treated received better medical attention and better food than the
people who were hired for $2.50 a day to take care of the birds. I soon
learned that the birds didn't stand a chance if the people didn't have
some hope for flourishing, because if humans are suffering, it is very
difficult for them to share resources with other beings.
So I went into the Unitarian Universalist ministry,
trying to find a way to continue my healing profession, but now with
people as well as birds. You see, not only do I think that the birds
can't make it without us, but I also think that we can't make it without
the birds, and without the biodiversity that supports our ecology and
nourishes our souls. I feel then that all my work with people is also
helping other beings and all my work with nonhumans is helping out
humans.
There is a sense of what ethicists call competing claims
- we must make decisions that will help out one species more than
another. But in the long run if we work with compassion for justice
issues, regardless of the species or the circumstance, we are advancing
all causes. In this way we are inextricably bound to one another in care
and in hope.
So go help those chickens if that is where your gifts
and passions intersect with the world's great needs, or go work for
peace. For no matter what you do, the interdependent web will benefit,
as will you, and this is of great merit.
Go on to All For Show
Return to 9 November 2003 Issue
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