The first organisation is Oxford Centre For Animal Ethics, the
website being:
http://www.oxfordanimalethics.com/index.php?p=welcome The new
venture, somewhat reflects the astounding academic work initiated over
the years by Reverend Andrew Linzey; for here is a fellow I first heard
of, way back in the 1970s through the help of a delightful lady called
Kathryn Reynolds: a militant animal activist with a father who was vice
principal of an Oxford college. Sadly, it was several decades later
before I was to meet the aspiring young academic that Kathryn so much
admired, and it was the occasion of lovely Vicki Moore’s memorial
service in Liverpool’s vast Anglican cathedral. Andrew Linzey conducted
a most moving service and it was after this that we spoke to each other
before my M.E. flared up and one had to sadly make the journey
homewards. Yes, a brief encounter indeed, but during it Andrew had quite
remarkably picked me out and said to an enquirer: ‘If you want to know
anything about the animal cause this is the fellow to see’; and then he
graciously pointed to myself. Yes, the spirit of true Christian humility
expressed by one whose academic efforts for the animal cause undoubtedly
dwarf my own.
Well, the years pass by quite uncannily; swifter than we want them
to. I do what I can in my own small way – as do most of us! – but,
meanwhile, behind the scenes there are folk such as Andrew who surfaces
to reveal a great achievement: a foundation expressed through a website
which graces our animal cause with vast academic support. Yes, and at a
time when, quite regrettably, well intentioned activists worn down by
frustration have unintentionally, possibly, done more harm for the cause
of animal rights than they have done good. But then, it’s easy for me to
be judgmental here, for though I cringe at the tactless and uncouth
methods used by some of them, I have not been imprisoned or brought
before a court for our Cause as they have! I sense I have ‘rocked the
boat’ many times but only the ecclesiastical one, and not without cost.
The latter certainly revealed its self when a well-intentioned lady
established a foundation called ‘Christians Opposed To Vivisection’.
And, through the use of my name as its first patron, she became no less
influential than to acquire four more patrons: three bishops and one
archbishop! But sadly for the new organisation she insisted that I
compile and send out in my own words why vivisection could not be
equated with Christian ethics. Well, this I most certainly did, using
the analogy of the Jewish holocaust and the Nazi’s medical
experimentation blocks. Well, all went well until a reporter of The
Scotsman pitted me against the equivalence of the Jewish Sanhedrin for
Britain. Influential Jews were then ‘up in arms’ that I should dare to
compare the horrific treatment their fathers had endured in such death
camps as in any way reflective of animal experimentation by respected
vivisectionists. Consequently, each bishop, who was a fellow patron
along with myself, was approached over the phone and, one by one, they
disassociated themselves from me and three withdrew their patronage; the
archbishop of Wales alone retaining his.
Indeed, it reminded me of how Our Lord must have felt when, one by
one, His disciples forsook Him after distorted accusations against Him
were brought forward. Yes, the good book says: ‘put not your trust in
princes’ and I’ve been around long enough to know that it’s equally
applicable to princes of the church! At such times it’s a real comfort
to acquire comfort from many a hymn. Indeed, at the moment I think of
the following: ‘Men heed thee, love thee, praise thee Not! The Master
praises – what is man?
The second new website I learn of is ‘Voice For Ethical Research
At Oxford’. Its’ address is VERO, PO Box 692, Oxford OX1 9DR. and it
concerns Oxford students of the past as well as the present; and I dare
say I’m eligible to join them! However, though remarkable ladies such as
Ann Widdecombe are amongst their group, the support of a Peter Thatchell
– unknown to me as an ex Oxford student! – does not enamour me
personally to their law abiding cause. But, perhaps again, I am too
judgmental here and stand open to be corrected? Indeed, we who stick our
necks above the parapet risk having them knocked, but the alternative is
to succumb to this present government’s political correctness; the
ultimate aim of which appears to me to be one of increasingly eroding
freedom of expression so that – regardless of all the money spent on
education – we become as puppets within a dictatorial state that will
ultimately evolve in to a European ‘super’ state of incredible horror.
And, of course, I am not alone here. My good friend Dr Vernon Coleman –
whose books should be in every home – thinks similarly. So does a Philip
Day; and so does The British Freedom party. We’re not ALL ‘nutters’ and
countless other citizens need to awaken to the grave plight of Britain
before it is too late.
Go on to A Dedicated Cleric With A
Vision From Down Under!
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