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Wholeness? – 11 January 2007

After watching the TV weather forecast this morning, I happened upon the Hallmark channel’s “New Morning” program that was in progress. Their topic of discussion appeared to be spiritual “wholeness” or “holiness” and the guests offered varied interpretations related to their faith and/or experiences. One consensus of opinion was centered on the oneness of God’s creation; yet other animals – who outnumber humans – were not mentioned except for the token “pet” dogs shown very briefly with their owners. Yet much talk centered on the physical, earthly creation: for example the artistic depiction of clouds, rainbows, hills; the repair of broken pottery, etc. True “wholeness” seems to elude searchers who won’t make the connection between their lifestyle and the billions of sentient beings tortured on this earth. Also very noticeable were the many pharmaceutical commercials between segments of the program.

I thought how strange it is that this same pattern of avoidance – when it comes to talking about other animals – is seen in so much of the programming on TV. It seems to be ok to briefly mention bringing in “pets” if the temperature drops below a certain number of degrees, as they did during the weather forecast. But, by and large, in the rare times when other animals are mentioned, there’s always a kind of off-hand, almost embarrassed tone used. Dogs, of course, being “fad” animals of late in our society, are a somewhat more acceptable animal to mention.

So much for “wholeness” or “holiness” as discussed on TV! To truly be holy we need to respect and honor the whole of God’s creation, not only selected parts.
 

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