There is a hidden assumption that the farming industry is responsible for animal suffering, but is this warranted? By inflicting the suffering, they certainly have a lot to answer for, but it only exists because of consumer support. It is really the customers who are primary responsible for animal cruelty through their purchases. I think we can all agree that buying something is the same as giving it a vote of approval.
Factory farms are the leading suppliers to supermarkets, restaurants and institutions. If there is a demand the supplier will continue to meet it. They don’t need our permission, just our money. This truth is hard to digest, but we need to know that we are contributing to their continued existence, prosperity and growth, and difficult as it is, surely it is better to know the truth, so we can promote change. The answer to end this is US.
Most of us want to be as effective as we can be. However, I think it is apparent that industrial farms treat animals as though they were only as valuable as the packages of chops, sausages, eggs and milk, they eventually become, and that their primary goal is to genetically engineer, breed, kill, process, package and distribute in the quickest most cost-effective manner. Market forces versus nature. Although, good welfare isn’t just an absence of cruelty, but an acceptable standard of care. God has a right to see His creative design respected.
According to Martin Luther King, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to injustice everywhere.” Suffering and injustice affects us all. As Christians it is difficult to find neutral ground, because it seems to me that we either support it, or resist it. Maybe like myself, it is important to bridge the disconnect between our values and actions. We have the choice to boycott food from abused animals. I am not sure what the answer is, but I know what it is not. CIWF are informing us, that we need to take action to avoid ‘Farmageddon’. (Read Farmageddon…The True Cost Of Cheap Meat by Philip Lymbery with Isabel Oakeshott).
This is just a modest attempt to raise awareness. I deliberately failed to address the animals’ final journeys, because I can’t bear the thought of it, and don’t want these pictures in my head, over and above what I already have. For those whose beliefs or thoughts are different from mine, I hope I haven’t offended or encumbered anyone. I have no wish to force my views on to others, and realise I am just scratching the surface myself. My knowledge of these activities are limited to reading about them.
I am hoping however, that some of you will be moved to think about making some changes, however small, because a lot of what happens can be increased or decreased depending on the actions we take. In the face of all these atrocities it scarcely seems much, because there seems to be an enormous amount of work to do to shift society’s current paradigm. But as Bridgette Bardot states, “If it wasn’t for every drop of water, there wouldn’t be an ocean.”
I don’t necessarily feel equipped in this area, since my background is nursing/counselling. But God’s spirit has touched me and filled me with compassion and given me this desire. My middle-of-the-night epiphany was to start a ministry called, “Christians Caring for God’s Creatures” (CCGC), which is about Christians helping each other to live out our concern for animals and promoting their rights by recognising their suffering and making a difference.
It’s about creating awareness, motivating action and inspiring change in the spirit of God’s love. I think animals as part of Creation is as deserving/important as any other mission and it is something that affects us all. In order to share information, for those interested, I will set up a website. I made a start by contributing to various welfare organisations namely, the SSPCA, CIWF, PETA, Animal Aid, OneKind and Born Free, by supporting them financially.
I feel organisations can provide a more powerful voice than individuals can, but I also want to help by increasing public awareness, and giving practical help and information on how to make changes. Even if it means changing one person at a time or one meal at a time. I am aiming to become a speaker for Animal Aid, which involves working in schools, and I really hope, that these horrific stories from our lifetime won’t exist in future generations.
Christians Caring For Gods Creatures 