I woke up this morning thinking about several issues that have always been important to me. For example, I have always had a soft spot for all living things, whether it be people, animals, plants or insects. I don't believe that the killing of any of these beings is right. Yes, I know that through natural selection, animals kill one another for food, territory, etc but they do it as an order to survive...not out of cruelty to one another.
“Wild animals never kill for sport. Man is the only one to whom the torture and death of his fellow creatures is amusing in itself.”- James AnthonyFroude
This simple statement holds true for not only the senseless killing of animals, but for killing our own kind as well. This being said, I don't feel that it is right to kill any human under any circumstance, including the use of the death penalty and in the acts of war. This does not in any way meant that I am against our soldiers who risk their lives for this country every day. I have a high respect for these individuals and their selflessness. I can't even begin to imagine what their everyday lives are like.
(Let me also note that I am not trying to offend all of you meat-eaters out there. Just stating how I feel. That's all:).
But there has to be a better way. I'm not saying I have the right answer or any other alternative at all. But no one ever got anywhere by making the same mistake over and over again. (I can attest to that on a personal level).
Now I know that many might convey these thoughts of mine to be complete "hippy garble". But here's the thing. Do any of us truly want another living soul to die?
Believe me. I have gone through that whole "phase" so-to-speak of dressing the part of a hippy, displaying tons of bumper stickers on my car, blasting Ani Difranco from my crackly car radio speakers while she's singing about how "America is not a true democracy". I was outraged when Bush was re-elected and couldn't understand how anyone could perceive him as a true leader. I was angry and trying to fight this inner battle of "why do bad things happen to good people", questioning God and asking the eternal why of everything. I've been there. Done that.
And it got me no where in the end but where I am today.
I still stick by my beliefs and morals as I always have. And I respect anyone who might disagree with me, however I expect the same kind of respect back. In my opinion, there is a very fine line between politics and religion and the personal value that each of these topics hold. It doesn't matter to me if you are republican, democrat or liberal. It makes no difference to me if you are Christian, Jew or Muslim. If you describe your faith as religious or spiritual. In my opinion, and that's exactly all this is; we are all EVERYTHING. We all "come together" as the Beatles once said and make the world what it is through, not only are differences, but our likenesses. Sometimes I think we focus too much on such ""differences...when in all reality, that's not what's important.
What's important is that we are alive and that we should treasure each day to the best of our abilities. We are all here for a reason, whatever that reason may be....even if at times it seems faulty. The purpose is there. Live it out.
And be at peace....
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