1. Activist Feedback
Rick Hershey writes:
Chip and I handed out 2270 CVA booklets today at Simmons Bank Arena
(formerly Verizon Arena) in North Little Rock for Winter Jam.
Thanks.
CVA members: Last week’s e-newsletter had a list of upcoming events,
including Winter Jam opportunities. Winter Jam events feature a very
receptive crowd, and a lot of activists have enjoyed leafleting at Winter
Jam. Please contact Lorena at lorenavalenziveg@gmail.com if you might be
able to help.
2. Overcoming Conflicts with Compassion
Recent essays have discussed how rivalries invariably lead to conflicts that
undermine communities. Compassion neutralizes rivalries and helps resolve
conflicts.
A question we might routinely ask is, “What is the most compassionate choice
in this situation?” Put another way, “If I were in their shoes, what would I
want?” Obviously, this is a variant of the Golden Rule, which is a central
tenet of nearly all religions, including Christianity (Matthew 7:12).
Often, people seek what is best for abstract groups, which are creations of
the human mind. Species, nations, and ethnic groups have some grounding in
real attributes, but the specific boundaries that define the various
classifications are generated by humans. Species, nations, and ethnic groups
don’t have feelings or desires – individuals do.
If compassion is our guide, we will attend to the needs of individuals, not
abstract groups. And, of course, we should include nonhumans in our circle
of compassion. They have feelings and desires just as humans do. The
biological definition of species – the ability to produce fertile offspring
– generates no moral justification for abusing nonhumans. A human and a
gorilla cannot reproduce, but this should not disqualify the gorilla from
our circle of compassion. Similarly, the biblical witness denounces
mistreatment of nonhumans and emphasizes the importance of nonhumans to God.
As people who are guided by the life and teaching of Jesus, we must ask what
would the Prince of Peace do? He always showed kindness and compassion
toward those who were weak and vulnerable, and so should we.
Stephen R. Kaufman, MD
3. All-Creatures.Org Ministry