Animal Rights/ General/ HappyCow Site/ Politics/ Veganism

The Absolute Bottom Line


I feel quite strongly that, at this juncture in evolution, the greatest hurdle for all who would hope to see an end to violence and injustice on earth, is the widespread failure to recognize and denounce the exploitation, fear and suffering that is inflicted, every day, with impunity, upon undeniably innocent and sensitive animals.

I am, at once, both inspired and confounded by the genuine concern and good will of many millions of people for the plight of others who suffer, but whose compassion, most regrettably, does not extend to the same plight and suffering of animals, including, but not limited to, the billions who are imprisoned and slaughtered, needlessly, for food.

 

 

This apparent disunity of conscience, and the resulting denial or apathy with regard to the unintended pain and suffering it produces, constitute, in my view, the greatest obstacle to the attainment of an absolute bottom line of morality.

If we fail to recognize, and denounce the untold suffering that is unnecessarily inflicted on truly innocent and sensitive beings who have never threatened or harmed us in any way, seeking only to survive in relative comfort and safety, as do we,
how can we even begin to imagine achieving reconciliation amongst peoples ensnared in years and years of conflict, injustice, violence and retribution?!

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5 Comments

  • Reply
    Chia (324 comments)
    July 21, 2011 at 11:52 am

    Hi Glen, thank you for posting this. Love the poetry, music, and images.

  • Reply
    PatriciaSmith (1 comments)
    July 21, 2011 at 9:49 pm

    Thanks Glen for your positive and heartfelt thoughts. I love your music and the consciousness that inspired its creation. Keep up the wonderful work!

  • Reply
    glen smith (6 comments)
    July 21, 2011 at 10:07 pm

    Thanks all, so much, for your kind messages.

    Do you ever feel sometimes, as I do, that we’re “preaching to the choir”?
    Mutual support of like-minded individuals really is very important, but I con-
    tinue to try to conceive of a way to reach what I (perhaps naively) believe
    are many millions of otherwise well meaning and good hearted people who
    wouldn’t dream of intentionally harming an innocent and defenseless animal,
    but, regrettably, are doing just that (by continuing to eat them).

    Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, most don’t want to hear about it, but we
    must continue to try. If only these people were inspired to “cross over”,
    I believe it would constitute a real tipping point of global proportion.

    Keep Hope Alive! Time will tell what may grow from Seeds Of Hope we
    plant today.

    Thanks Again, Best Wishes & Best Of Luck!!!
    g smith

  • Reply
    happycowgirl (37 comments)
    August 6, 2011 at 11:21 pm

    I think it is vitally important to have information like this up on the web so that those who are just beginning the journey can find it. For others, there may be some preaching to the choir, sure, but there is value in the preaching. I think it is re-affirming for ppl on this site to read what others are thinking and have their own thoughts affirmed. And often you learn a tid bit here or there that you did not already know. Wonderful articles and I cannot wait to read more!

  • Reply
    glen smith (6 comments)
    August 10, 2011 at 12:12 am

    Thank you. We all do what we can, and must, according to the insistence of our consciences, which, gratefully, are capable of change…just a matter of how much of The Heart “gets through” to the mind.

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