After writing yesterday’s Blog about the oxymoron, “humane”
commercial farming of animals, I thought about two passages of the
Bible that relate to what I was trying to express: That lukewarm,
half-way, “band aid” measures to improve the status of other animals
leads to complacency and only prolongs the inherent abuse of the
industry.
The first Bible passage, Revelation 3:14-16 is the one I also used in
my Blog entitled “Flexitarian?” on 25 January 2006.
Revelation 3:14-16
14. ...These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true
witness, the ruler of God's creation.
15. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish
you were either one or the other!
16. So, because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold-I am
about to spit you out of my mouth. [Emphasis mine]
~ New International Version
Then I thought about the Apostle Paul whose dedication allowed for no
half-way measures. This passage, found in Acts 9:1-7, describes Paul
before he became an Apostle. This passage makes it clear that Paul was
anything but “lukewarm” about his mission to destroy early Christianity.
Yet, on his way to Damascus, when Paul became a follower of Jesus, his
dedication was used by God to spread Christianity.
Acts 9:1-7
1 Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the
disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,
2 and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so
that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he
might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
3 And it came about that as he journeyed, he was approaching
Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him;
4 and he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him,
"Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?"
5 And he said, “Who art Thou, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus whom
you are persecuting,
6 but rise, and enter the city, and it shall be told you what you
must do.”
~ New American Standard Bible
A wishy-washy approach (such as “humane” animal farming) to the
problem of animal abuse only establishes the acceptance of lies and does
not eliminate it. Change comes about when the truth is openly
acknowledged. It is time that other animals receive legal rights.
