The Writings of Vasu Murti
Articles From The Writings of Vasu Murti
Is History Repeating Itself?
I told a young Hindu-American, Vineet Chander, in April 1995 that I'm not trying to be a "self-righteous vegetarian." I said my problem is with people who think the issue of animals is "funny" and won't give it the same level of serious discussion we now give to issues like racism and abortion.
The conservative Christians who dominate the pro-life movement are not saying among themselves: "Reverend Andrew Linzey, Anglican priest, Oxford theologian, reminds us as his fellow Christians that for 1800 years Christians upheld and defended slavery on biblical grounds. Slavery is a black mark upon Christianity (no pun intended). Past generations of Christians glibly quoted the apostle Paul's words, 'Slaves, be obedient to your masters,' as if Paul's words were the final pronouncement as to whether or not slavery was moral.
Are we making the same mistake today when we glibly quote Paul referring to his previous adherence to the Law as 'so much garbage' ? We respond to the animal activists, the PETA activists, with glib sound bites ('work,' 'tough,' 'so much garbage,' 'three times...') which could have been used by our forefathers in resisting the abolition of slavery, or which could just as easily be used by our pro-choice brothers and sisters in Christ today in resisting extending rights to the unborn.
Is history repeating itself with regard to animals? Can a Christian ethic condone animal cruelty? Animal rights: where should a pro-lifer stand?" Again, I'm not trying to be a "self-righteous vegetarian." My problem is with people who think the issue of animals is "funny" and won't give it the same level of serious discussion we now give to issues like racism and abortion.
Unless they're like white supremacists, the conservative Christians who dominate the pro-life movement would never glibly say, "Heh, heh, heh. Racism. Racism. Racism." But that's how they're responding to animal issues!
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