Christian Vegetarian Association Blog - Monday, February 25, 2008


	CVA BLOG

CVA Blog
Monday, February 25, 2008

Pain and suffering: The Reality Behind Animal Exploitation

Welcome to the weekly CVA blog! In it you will find famous quotes, news and commentaries.

1. Broiler Chickens Cannot Walk
2. Famous quote – Richard Rhodes (1937 to present), American journalist, historian, and author of both fiction and non-fiction, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning The Making of the Atomic Bomb (1986).
3. Eating Dolphins vs. Cows
4. Bible verse – 1 John 4:11-12
5. Photos Show Reality of Whaling
6. Largest Beef Recall in US History

1. Broiler Chickens Cannot Walk: The Defra-funded study, which involved 176 flocks (51,000 chickens) belonging to five major chicken producers in the UK suggested that more than a quarter of broiler chickens have difficulty walking due to the fast rate at which they are grown. The study found that at about 40 days old 27.6% exhibited "poor locomotion" and 3.3% could almost not walk at all.

To read the full article please visit Dinner plate chickens couldn't walk says, research

The fact the animals that end up in our plates are so lame to the point that cannot walk shows how little we think of them. In fact, to the meat industry, God's animals are nothing but commodities that bring profit. It is up to us, stewards of God's Creation, to take a stand for these creatures and defend their God-given rights and instincts, by showing them compassion and mercy.

2. "Before they reach their end, the pigs get a shower, a real one. Water sprays from every angle to wash the farm off them. Then they begin to feel crowded. The pen narrows like a funnel' the drivers behind urge the pigs forward, until one at a time they climb onto the moving ramp... Now they scream, never having been on such a ramp, smelling the smells they smell ahead. I do not want to overdramatize because you've read all this before. But it was a frightening experience, seeing their fear, seeing so many of them go by, it had to remind me of things no one wants to be reminded of anymore, all mobs, all death marches, all mass murders and executions..." ~ Richard Rhodes (1937 to present), American journalist, historian, and author of both fiction and non-fiction, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning The Making of the Atomic Bomb (1986).

3. Eating Dolphins vs. Cows: In Taiji, Japan, part of their tradition is to eat dolphins, which many people believe it's barbaric. Ric O'Barry, who trained five dolphins to play "Flipper" on the TV series of that name, goes even as far as to dress as a woman or wear a large surgical mask to disguise his Western identity on trips to spots overlooking the ocean. Residents of Taiji know that they offend Western sensibilities by eating dolphins, but they claim that outsiders have no more right to tell them to stop eating dolphins than they would have to demand that Westerners stop slaughtering chickens or cows.

To read the full article please visit Dolphin slaughter brings charges from both sides

Reality hits when we are faced with the ethical relativism of humanity. While some people consider barbaric to eat dolphins, these same people have no problems eating other animals, such as cows or pigs, who have even been raised under intensive confinement and unimaginable suffering. Until we face our own shortcomings at being stewards of God's Creation, this planet will know no peace. It's only when we show compassion, mercy and love to all Creatures that we'll bring reconciliation on Earth.

4. (RSV) 1 John 4:11-12

"Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No man has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us."

God calls us to love one another, that is all creatures, the way He/She loves us. When we reflect God's love for us onto all Creation, we are in communion with our Creator.

5. Photos Show Reality of Whaling: Last week Australia released pictures of whales being killed by Japan, fuelling public anger at a hunt Japan says is for scientific purposes although a great number of them end up at dinner tables. The pictures showed graphically the suffering and pain these creatures endure. The European Union called once for EU members to adopt a unified stance on whaling and asked Japan to halt a hunt for almost 1,000 minke and fin whales in the Antarctic and for International Whaling Commission (IWC) members to adhere to a 1986 whaling moratorium.

To read the full article please visit http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L08373315.htm

Sometimes it's necessary to see with our own eyes the tremendous unnecessary suffering we inflict on God's animals. There is a reason why slaughterhouses, factory farms, and hunting expeditions usually are done with as much secrecy as possible, and that is to hide from the public the plight of animals to stop the massacre and suffering.

6. Largest Beef Recall in US History: Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Co. voluntarily recalled all of its beef produced since Feb. 1, 2006 (143 million lbs.) after The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) released videotapes on Jan. 30 showing workers at the plant using several abusive techniques, including ramming cattle with forklift blades and using a hose to simulate the feeling of drowning, in order to make "downer" cows stand up and pass a pre-slaughter inspection.

To read the full article please visit California Packers Makes Largest US Beef Recall

The extent of cruelty inflicted on these cows is unimaginable for most of us, and clearly shows the callousness of the meat industry in order to squeeze as much profit as possible from God's animals who are treated as mere commodities. This kind of exploitation will not reach an end until compassionate consumers refuse to support the meat industry. Adopting a plant-based diet certainly is the most effective way to take a stand for God's animals raised for food.

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