God Does Not Eat Meat By Arthur Poletti
From All Creatures Book and Video Review Guide

Chapter Nine: Choose Kindness and Life, Renounce Cruelty and Death

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Now in 2065 major pressures are being imposed on the reduced number of meat-producing countries in the world. The huge reduction in the world’s animal population and slaughterhouses has created additional problems of supply and demand. Most non-meat-eating countries in the western world have conformed and adopted the new techniques and principles of farm production and have benefited greatly from a huge increase in agricultural prosperity.

Unfortunately, there is still a significant demand for dead animal flesh in a number of countries such as China, Japan, Russia, several Asian countries, and all the countries of Africa. Repeated efforts from 2008 to 2065 by the United States have failed to persuade these meat eating countries to change their ways. In addition, a black market exists to satisfy the small percent of Americans who are willing to risk the consequences of breaking the law to satisfy their thirst for the manly sport of killing or the insatiable desire to consume chemically preserved dead decaying animal flesh.

Currently because so many countries have stopped killing animals for meat consumption and exportation, the motivation is much greater now for Africa to increase production to meet the demands of millions of people in several large countries that still eat meat. A percentage of hunters from around the world, including frustrated hunters from the United States who do not want to be caught breaking the law, are willing to pay exorbitant amounts of money to travel to Africa. In Africa hunters can continue their favorite sport and sell their kills to third parties. In turn the third parties process and sell the animals for mounted trophies, or butcher and package the meat for shipping to countries where people are willing to pay high prices for this scarce commodity. In order to keep up with the demand, increasing numbers of each hunted species are being killed. At the current rate of killing it is predicted that at least 90 percent of Africa’s wild animal population will be wiped out by 2078.

Without Brad’s knowledge, Doctor Monrovia recommended Brad to the United States Foreign Relations Bureau for a special project that would attempt to use a new pragmatic approach to again try to persuade one country at a time in Africa to stop hunting animals and eating meat. The project would require a two-year assignment in Zimbabwe, Africa. Each person chosen for this assignment by the Foreign Relations Bureau will have special talents and abilities, plus a proven record of kindness to animals.

Many sound theories support the belief that a large percentage of the deeply rooted traditions involving humans killing and eating dead animal flesh originated in prehistoric times on the continent of Africa. It is understandable why a hunter would consider Africa a paradise.

Countless descriptions of this large continent tell of the vast beauty and magnificent grandeur that surround the killing fields where a hunter can pursue many of the most beautiful and some of the most dangerous and most difficult-to-hunt animals on earth. Several books about hunting stress that experienced professional hunters often enjoy the hunt as much or more then the kill. They are experts at knowing every detail from A to Z needed in planning a successful safari. Many hunters admit they get satisfaction and some kind of high from the atmosphere surrounding them while they stalk and kill vast numbers of beautiful animals.

The part that is most disturbing and not understandable is if hunters get so much enjoyment out of the natural beauty of Africa and its marvelous animals, why do they feel the need to kill the animals? Did God create all the beautiful species of animals so that humans could brutally destroy them? Since when have cruelty and death been associated with beauty? If hunters have great respect and admiration for all the beauty and grandeur that Africa has to offer, why ruin it? Why not help the animals survive so they have a chance to live full lives?

When hunters desire to bring home memories of the trip, what is wrong with pictures or video movies that are much more enjoyable and should bring back fonder memories? Destroying a gorgeous animal so its head can be mounted on a family room wall does not exemplify kindness. A healthy, unharmed, living animal is certainly much more enjoyable to admire then a dead one.

Animals in Africa have enough problems trying to survive the attacks of other hungry animals. It adds another huge burden when they must also try to evade hunters carrying high-powered rifles who are constantly trying to destroy them. What could be more repulsive and a bigger unforgivable sin than to be surrounded by all the beauty Africa has to offer, and to express appreciation by stalking and killing animals?

The United States’ beleaguered efforts have failed in Africa largely because they have not sent experienced persons qualified to understand Africa’s multitude of diverse and ancient customs. The representatives from the United States until now accomplished very little, because they were completely naive regarding Africa’s history. They tried to force-feed our anti-killing philosophy down the throats of people who have a very old culture and commerce that have relied heavily on meat consumption, meat trade, and hunting.

Obstinate African leaders, many whom are accomplished experienced professional hunters, were unimpressed with the audacious behavior of our politicians and health specialists that had previously tried to change their thinking.

On another beautiful Saturday morning Brad met with Dr. Monrovia at his seaside home. “Good morning, Doctor. I trust all is well with you, sir.”

“Yes, Brad, all is well, and I am anxious to discuss an important issue with you. In my opinion the time has come for you to make much needed use of your knowledge about the benefits of protecting all animals. I have personally recommended that the United States government appoint you as an emissary to manage a group of animal protection experts in Zimbabwe, Africa.

“The ultimate goal for all the members of your team during this two-year project will be the formidable task of convincing as many Africans as possible that cruelty toward and killing of animals, along with consumption of meat, is totally unnecessary. Government officials in the United States and Zimbabwe have been in close contact for many years as we have continually tried to convince them of the overall benefits of protecting all animal life, including the enormous health and agricultural benefits Americans have attained in a relatively short period of time.

“For fifty-seven years most animals in the United States have been fed much healthier vegetarian meat substitutes that have successfully replaced dead animal flesh; the animals are thriving. Throughout the United States large varieties of non-meat foods intended for wild animals are continuously distributed by agencies funded by the Federal government. This has been accomplished by continually filling thousands of different sizes of food troughs daily strategically located in animal reserves and sanctuaries throughout the country.

“Now we will be given the opportunity to apply the same principles on a continent that harbors millions of the most beautiful and many of the rarest animals on earth. Your group will attempt to convince and reform Zimbabwe’s citizens and as many of their professional hunters as you can about the benefits of not killing.

“Our initial agreement with the Zimbabwean government is to work together for two years trying to prove the merits of our program. We hope that during the first two years using respectful diplomacy we will gain the interest of many other African countries that might be persuaded to begin a similar program. During and at the end of our initial two-year agreement, we will be openly available to assist in providing the same type of personnel to negotiate and initiate animal welfare programs separately with each interested country in Africa.

“In order to accomplish our main goal the project will begin with four objectives. The first objective is to convince the several hundred Zimbabwean citizens from every walk of life who have volunteered for the project that they can derive the same health and prosperity we enjoy by not slaughtering animals or eating meat. These individuals have already agreed to begin eating only vegetarian foods and to continue doing so for at least two years. This is the first step in the process of eliminating meat from the food chain for humans and animals.

“During this period we will invite representatives from every country in African to visit and inspect our work sites. We hope they will then begin to try the same animal welfare procedures in their countries. Our intention again is to one day persuade all of the people of Africa to stop eating meat, to stop killing animals, and to eat only vegetarian foods.

“The second objective is to teach Zimbabwean cattle farmers how to utilize their land to grow and produce vegetarian foods for humans and animals. We need to prove to the farmers and their government that they can be far more successful using their land to produce healthier vegetarian foods than raising animals to be slaughtered.

“The third objective will be to use local food produce and large shipments of vegetarian foods from the United States to begin a major joint effort to feed Zimbabwe’s entire animal population non-meat foods.

“I am certain that all animals, especially wild animals, when fed a variety of foods for several months that include meat substitutes will gradually become less aggressive, and their desire to stalk and kill other animals for food will be reduced. “ While our feeding programs will at first seem to be tedious, imperceptible, and inconsequential, in time animals will adapt to eating the large variety of healthy non-meat foods that are available and grown in many areas of the continent.

Furthermore, by implementing the methods of spaying and neutering that became successful in the United States; the animal population in Zimbabwe will be humanely controlled and will continually decline to a manageable life supporting size.

“The fourth and most essential objective will be the addition and maintenance of several large animal reserves and sanctuaries that will be designed and developed to ultimately care for all of the reduced population of wild animals in Zimbabwe.

“The four objectives will begin simultaneously. Because of the natural language barriers that will exist we will need a show-and-tell, hands-on type of approach.

“Bradford, you must set the appropriate tone in our message to all of Africa’s dignitaries by respectfully conforming to proper etiquette and protocol, which includes adhering to many different social amenities and religious customs.

“To enhance the effectiveness of our efforts you will need to select specialists from several professions, including veterinarian doctors, expert farmers, local food distributors, and language interpreters, along with representatives of the news media from around the world. Americans and Africans will work together. Also, because of the need to get close to dangerous animals, your team of experts will need the protection of dexterous Zimbabwean guides and professional hunters.

“We decided to recruit professional hunters from the ranks of African citizens who possess the acute knowledge, experience, and cumulative skills required for assisting and executing the close-up handling and feeding needed while being surrounded by wild, hungry animals. The hunters will be in full agreement not to attempt to kill any animal unless their lives or the lives of members of your team are in jeopardy. If this problem occurs, the hunters when possible will first attempt to immobilize any potentially threatening animal by using tranquilizers from dart guns.

“These procedures will ultimately create a far more civilized and healthy community for animals and people to live in.

“All of the members on your team would be wise to communicate frequently with as many of their professional colleagues as possible, explaining what we have accomplished in the United States since 2008, especially the major improvements in health, agriculture, and business, and the huge reductions in all crimes—amazing achievements resulting directly from the decision to stop killing animals and stop eating dead flesh.

“With this proof of the results Americans have achieved, Zimbabwe’s leaders could be far more effective at convincing other citizens of the many benefits they would realize by not hunting and killing animals. An educated African professional hunter is well schooled in animal behavior, including their habits and tendencies when hunting for other animals. In addition, it is not unusual for African hunting guides to speak several languages, which will be very useful when trying to communicate and implement our program within every ethnic group in Zimbabwe.

“The most cumbersome physical obstacle to overcome will be confronting many dangerous and ferocious animals indigenous to Zimbabwe and neighboring countries that our members have never dealt with. Furthermore we have virtually no first-hand experience with many species of wild animals that roam throughout every country in Africa. Bradford, it will be unwise for you and your staff to wander around unprotected in the African bush trying to feed hungry animals veggie burgers! So you will be taught by experienced Africans some of the safest methods and optimal times of the day to feed the different species of animals, including reptiles and birds.

“Bradford, we are confronted with vastly different and more difficult challenges in Africa than we were confronted with and solved in the United States. However, we expect in time with perseverance and wisdom we will overcome the obstacles we will encounter. Our lifesaving procedures will be the catalyst leading eventually to laws that will create a solid infrastructure designed to protect all animal life from being killed for food, sport, or commerce, in every country of Africa.

“Do you have any questions?”

“Professor,” Bradford replied, “I would be very excited to be a part of this long overdue effort; however, I recently became engaged to Alyssa and I would not be able to leave her behind.”

“Bradford, please try to convince Alyssa to join you. Because of her education, knowledge, and love for animals, she could be hired to be your confidant and expert advisor. This effort will require a two-year commitment but will allow you and your staff vacation time and holiday leaves. Also, you and Alyssa will be required to make periodic trips with African officials to the United States Foreign Bureau Office in Washington, D.C. The purpose will be to evaluate the progress being made and to hold round table meetings to listen to any suggestions that might enhance the chances for success.”

Brad spent the next few hours having lunch with the professor and discussing the new adventure that he wanted to accept, but only if Alyssa would agree to join him.

During the drive home Brad thought about the animals in Africa. For as long as he could remember he had been disgusted by the cruelty to animals that has existed throughout the African continent for centuries. But he also realized that killing animals and eating meat in Africa had to stop, no matter how long it took or how impossible the task seemed.

The large scale of cruelty to animals that exists in Africa is not just isolated to the horrors inside of slaughterhouses or the vast numbers of animals killed by hunters. A huge problem is the ageless cruelty and death caused by wild animals killing wild animals for food.

Brad knew that many different species of well fed animals can be raised on a reserve or sanctuary together. When these animals are treated with kindness and compassion they are far less aggressive and rarely attempt to hunt and kill.

Years of experience monitoring animal behavior in the United States has proven that different species of animals raised together from birth while being fed non-meat foods can develop a natural affinity for each other. By instituting the same birth control methods of neutering or spaying and the same feeding procedures that have been so successful in the United States the population of animals and the total number of animals attempting to kill each other in Zimbabwe will be significantly reduced. The overall goals can be accomplished by first beginning a continuous distribution of vast amounts of vegetarian foods to every area of Zimbabwe that animals reside, including the most remote areas. These foods will taste much like the foods fed to wild animals in the United States that proved to be an extremely successful substitute for dead flesh.

That evening Brad had a long conversation with his parents and Alyssa and was happy that Alyssa was in full agreement about working with him in Africa for the next two years.

Brad and Alyssa were married three months later on October 15 in Carmel, California, and then spent two weeks on their honeymoon in Maui, Hawaii. They were able to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas at home with their families before flying to Zimbabwe, Africa, to meet and join the new delegation of persons they would be working with for at least the next two years.

The animal rights successes in the United States could not be achieved in Africa without understanding and solving a number of problems that are unique to Africa. Doctor Monrovia had advised Brad that during the process of rapprochement and in order to prevail in persuading Africans to stop killing animals and eating dead flesh, he would first need to learn why the cruelty and killing has been so difficult to stop. Reasons which are directly related to Africans’ ancient primordial habits.

Once the initial meetings, discussions, and speeches are completed, most of the members of the delegation will immediately begin the planned anticruelty programs, plus the procedures for replacing meat with vegetarian food for humans and animals in Zimbabwe. When the program is well under way, Brad, Alyssa, and other members of the group will begin a six- to eight-week trip traveling by helicopter to visit several other African countries. The sole purpose will be an attempt to get a better understanding of why all efforts in the past have failed to stop cruelty to animals in Africa.

On January 14, 2066, Brad and Alyssa arrived in Zimbabwe. On January 15, they were met at the United States embassy by their newly appointed staff of twenty-six people, along with local government dignitaries and news media representatives. Brad was introduced to a healthy, handsome; eighty-two-year-old man (who looked like he was fifty-two) named Michael Pacenti. A few minutes later Brad was absolutely shocked when he verified that Michael’s father was the former professional hunter and meat eater, Mondo Pacenti.

Even more remarkable was the recommendation from the United States Foreign Ambassador that Michael Pacenti, because of his many accomplishments in the field of animal welfare and his eloquent oratory skills, should be the keynote speaker when the final presentation is made to Africans on January 23 at the Zimbabwe Coliseum.

Brad anxiously looked through his personnel files until he located Michael’s resume and the government’s report that revealed his many qualifications. Michael’s professional career was mostly devoted to working for thirty-five years at the University of Illinois in Champaign, Illinois as a respected, successful, and popular veterinary doctor. For twenty-five years Michael was a member of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine in Washington, D.C. In addition, he was often asked to speak at conventions and fundraising events generally sponsored by animal activist groups. In November of 2006, when Michael was twenty-four years old, he accepted a position as a member of a special committee appointed by the Congress of the United States to help formulate the new Animal Welfare Act that was officially instituted in 2008.

Michael got married in 2007 and has been married to the same woman for fifty-eight years. Together they raised three children: two daughters and a son. Young Michael Pacenti’s formal education was filled with curriculum related to many aspects of animal life. During his high school years Michael worked part time for several different animal rescue and welfare organizations. He graduated from the University of Illinois and obtained a doctorate degree in Animal Sciences and Medicines at the Boston University School of Medicine.

Brad could not wait to speak to Michael privately to ask him about his childhood. When he got a chance he said, “Michael, please spend a few minutes with me and tell me how you became so involved with animal welfare.”

“Sir, my father, Mondo Pacenti, was mostly responsible for teaching me about the virtues of kindness and the importance of protecting and caring for all animal life. He would be proud to know that I have tried to follow in his footsteps and will promote many of his ideas during this historic effort on behalf of all animal life.”

While Bradford listened to Michael speak, tears began to appear in his eyes. He had difficulty controlling his emotions as he thought about Mondo Pacenti and what a wonderful influence he had been to his son. “Michael, the United States Foreign Ambassador has recommended that you deliver the keynote speech on January 23. After reviewing the government report disclosing your many achievements and your lifetime devoted to animal welfare, I agree that you are the right choice. I only wish your father could be here to witness your special presentation.”

They shook hands and parted.

The remainder of the afternoon was filled with many activities. Most of Brad’s new team had thought-provoking conversations, exchanging ideas and plans while confirming each individual’s responsibilities, making ready to embark on their joint adventure.

Brad had prepared a speech that he was about to present just as his guests were finishing a lavish, sumptuous, vegetarian dinner. He utilized information gathered from reading several books about Africa’s history including pertinent details obtained from several African members of his staff. Brad intended to give everyone an overview of how the anti-cruelty to animals programs would begin. He planned to identify some of the obstacles to overcome, and the overall goals that needed to be achieved, first in Zimbabwe and hopefully in a few short years throughout all of Africa.

“Good evening ladies and gentlemen,” he began. “On behalf of all the wonderful animals that live in Africa, we are all excited and eager to begin our work. Let me first summarize some of the important details that we have learned about Africa and the obstacles we will need to overcome to be successful at promoting a lasting program of anticruelty throughout the continent. Many of the proven benefits that we have realized in the United States by not killing animals and not eating meat can potentially be realized by large numbers of people in every country of Africa.

“The population of Africa is about 860 million people, of which about two thirds live in rural areas; the remainder lives in towns and cities. The population has increased very rapidly because of a high birthrate, despite an average life expectancy of only 53 years, compared with about 112 years for Americans.

“In the poorer countries of the continent like Zambia, the life expectancy is 37 years. In the more developed nations of Africa people live longer. For example, in Libya life expectancy is about 75 years and in Tunisia 69 years. Africa has one of the highest death rates in the world. People in many areas of the continent suffer from malnutrition and for many years famines have killed millions.

“Poor sanitation and inadequate medical services have contributed to widespread disease. Some of the most serious diseases include aids, malaria, and bovine spongiform encephalopathy, commonly known as mad cow disease, tuberculosis, yellow fever, and sleeping sickness. “Nearly two million Asians live in southern and eastern Africa. Most are descendents of people who came to Africa from India during the 1800s. More then eight hundred languages are spoken in Africa, which can make communication among Africans very difficult.

“A large number of educated Africans speak English, French, and Portuguese, plus their local language. There are hundreds of local religions in Africa with each ethnic group having its own set of beliefs. It is important to note that all African religions recognize the existence of a supreme God. About 155 million Africans are Muslims and their religion is Islam. Nearly 135 million Africans are Christians, mostly Roman Catholics and Protestants.

“Africa has great mineral wealth, including huge deposits of copper, diamonds, gold, and petroleum. Many African rivers and waterfalls could be used to produce hydroelectric power. Agriculture is the leading economic activity in Africa, but most farmers use outdated tools and methods to farm thin, poor soil. Africa also has the least developed economy of any continent except Antarctica. The development of manufacturing has been handicapped by a lack of money to build factories, a shortage of skilled workers, and competition from industries on other continents. Many African countries depend on only one or two farm or mineral products for more than half their export earnings.

“Africa’s abundance of valuable forests, grasslands, and natural plant life has been significantly reduced. Farmers have cleared forests for cropland and hunters have repeatedly burned grasslands to drive out game animals. The overgrazing by livestock has turned formerly productive land into deserts. The majority of African nations rely heavily on aid from countries outside the continent.

“Africa’s wild animals are world famous. They include thousands of species of reptiles, fish, birds, and insects.

“Several African countries have taken steps to save their rich wildlife heritage. Fortunately, the killing of certain animals is prohibited in many areas. Also, a number of African countries have established game reserves and national parks.

“Hunting is forbidden in these areas, and modern methods of wildlife conservation are practiced to protect the animals. Many hunters go on carefully regulated safaris, which are hunting expeditions. Other people go on photographic safaris to gain memories of live animals in their natural environments. However, poaching (illegal hunting) continues to be a serious problem.

“Many rural Africans have opposed wildlife conservation efforts, especially in areas where wild animals compete with farmers and herders for scarce land. Wild animals have been known to destroy an entire crop or threaten the lives of villagers and their farm animals. Animal meat is important to the welfare of some Africans, and people accused of illegal hunting may actually be struggling to feed their families.

“We intend to plant the seeds of knowledge, awareness, and hope to improve the lives of all animals in Africa. Initially, however, we will focus more time on feeding a few selected species in order to measure results more quickly.

“To begin to reduce the number of attempts ravenous animals make to kill each other for food, we will begin feeding large amounts of vegetarian foods to cheetahs, hyenas, jackals, leopards, and lions that generally prey on antelopes, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, and baboons. We will also devote considerable time to feeding the chimpanzees and monkeys that dwell in many of the forests, as well as crocodiles and hippopotamuses that live in tropical rivers and swamps.

“Each day caravans of trucks will transport substantial quantities of vegetarian foods to every area of Zimbabwe. We will continually distribute foods that taste much like the foods fed to wild animals in the United States that have proven to be an extremely successful substitute for dead flesh. Veterinarians, guides, and hunters will work together to accomplish the task of tranquilizing large numbers of wild animals in order to perform the birth control measures of spaying and neutering. “Preparations are currently underway in Zimbabwe to begin a systematic process of converting thousands of acres of land currently used for cattle farms and cattle ranches into large animal reserves and sanctuaries. The augmentation of our plan will be to continually acclimatize wild animals into this new safer environment.

“By the end of our two year project we hope to set a positive example by providing at least 50% of the wild animals in Zimbabwe a safe haven. The expansion of large reserves and sanctuaries will proceed until all wild animals in Zimbabwe are accounted for and an open invisible wall of protection surrounds them.

“This is just a brief synopsis of how we will attempt to overcome obstacles, achieve our goals, and have a better understanding of the people we are dealing with. We will use discretion each step of the way as we develop solid evidence that will confirm the many benefits all Africans can share when they nourish and protect their beautiful animals and stop eating meat.

“By using most farmland for produce rather than cattle, and changing eating habits to vegetarian foods, the overall health of all Africans and the welfare of all animal life will have the potential to improve immensely.

“Just as we did in the United States, we must also convince as many people as possible of the spiritual benefits that can be felt from supporting the right of every animal to have a full and safe life. May the seeds of kindness be nurtured in every African.

“Thank you for listening to me. I hope you enjoy the remainder of the evening.” 

The author obtained Copyright Certificate of Registration March 23, 2004


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