July Editorial - Animalia

"All Cats Have Aspergers but NOT all Humans are Humane" Michael Lee-Price, July 1st 2009 It would seem inconceivable and totally bewildering if it wasn't sadly true. A very close friend recently conducted a poll. The poll asked those taking the poll what charitable cause they would more likely support. The end finding completely horrified both myself, Dragonfly, our friends and especially, our close friend who published the poll. Would you believe, that sick children with cancer, children starving and destitute, women suffering domestic violence, world peace and countless other humanitarian causes missed out dismally to Animal Rights? The result of the poll had a massive 68 % for Animal Welfare. It would seem that people who state that they follow an Earth-based religion are more concern with the welfare of animals than with the well-being of their fellow human-beings? Are YOU shocked Yet? Now, I bet you thought or rather wished that I ran out of steam after writing my rather lengthy article: "Has Paganism Become Exclusive?" and after reading my Dragonfly's also, rather extensive tome "Seeking Identity" ... No! No! No! Dear Reader ... our soap-boxes are full of OMO and I at least guarantee a good washing of the dirty laundry. Oh, damn ... I am obfuscating again ... airing dirty laundry in a "Public" domain. Perhaps, I should call it "private" and play hide and seek the event ...oops ...I mean hide the editorial and let you all try and find it? Enough of this twiddle-twattle ... At the risk of raising hackles and causing fur to fly ... at the risk of earning the wrath of the community I am going to speak my peace. After all the old adage: "From the mouth of a Madman often comes wisdom", and as I have been 'labeled' by many of my detractors as MAD, I feel the "Voice of Reason" needs to be heard. I don't know about you but I get rather peeved to see in some Pagan Yahoo and Ning groups "PLEASE SIGN this petition. Animal Cruelty" or to have such a petition landing in my email box. Don't get me wrong, I am a Conservationist; I belong to the Australian Conservationist Foundation, I also support and am a financial Member N.A.N (Native Animal Network) and I am all for the preservation and protection of Animals, Whales, Forests and Jungles (their Natural Habitat) BUT not at the detriment of Children. I will not take the attitude that poor, starving, destitute children especially those suffering from a terminal illness can go hang. Recently, here in Australia, a comedy show known as "Chasers War On Everything" earn the anger of the majority of viewers if not the entire population of Australia for a skit which lampooned "The Make-A-Wish Foundation" and children with terminal illnesses. People were appalled and the show's ratings plummeted. The show was banned from television for two weeks. I am fully supportive of PETA and am outraged by Animal Cruelty, but to discover that most people in the "Pagan" Community (and I don't mean the vast number of Solitaries who actually out-weigh those involved with the organisations who pertain to represent us and circulate their clap-trap in many on-line forums), donate more money and support "Animal Right" causes at the detriment of children in poverty, sick and dying children, orphaned children, human suffering .... well I am appalled. A week ago I watched and taped a show on televison (Four Corners - ABC1) titled: "Saving Africa's Witch Children": "In some of the poorest parts of Nigeria, where evangelical religious fervour is combined with a belief in sorcery and black magic, many thousands of children are being blamed for catastrophes, death and famine: and branded witches. Denounced as Satan made flesh by powerful pastors and prophetesses, these children are abandoned, tortured, starved and murdered: all in the name of Jesus Christ. This Dispatches special follows the work of one Englishman, Gary Foxcroft, who has devoted his life to helping these desperate and vulnerable children. Gary's charity, Stepping Stones Nigeria, raises funds to help Sam Itauma who, five years ago, rescued four children accused of witchcraft. He now struggles to care for over 150 in a makeshift shelter and school called CRARN (Child Rights and Rehabilitation Network)." Source: Saving Africa's Witch Children A friend of mine said to me later in conversation: "That she was so moved by the show" ... "and how she wished she could financially help" ... "but being 'Pagan' and the charity is 'Christian' she would n't be allowed" ..."and even if she was allowed to financial help, it would be detrimental to their welfare." WHAT THE ... ????? Now mind you this is the same person who is very much into "Animal Rights" and donates regularly to a Pagan organisation who equally regularly run a campaign collecting money, blankets and food for an Animal Welfare Organisation up North of Adelaide. I asked her once why did she supported this "charitable" cause over others? Her response was: "They are ONLY Dumb Animals. It's not their fault they are homeless" Granted and good point, However, is anyone aware how many homeless young people who equally need food and blankets there are on the street (and not just here in the cities of Australia)? Is anyone aware how many of those homeless young people (some as young as 12) will be placed at risk? Is anyone aware of how many of those young homeless people will actually die (especially in Winter)? Is anyone aware how many of those deaths will occur for want of a blanket which has been given to a "disowned" and "disregarded" pet? What price human life? I am Shamanic. A worshipper of the Mother Gaia, but let's put this into perspective. I don't care if you proclaim to be an Earth-based religion or not and although I am a great support of Animal Rights, I will not and never support a cause at the detriment of Children, Children Rights and Human Rights. Believe it or Not, Animals of one type, form or another will survive long after Humankind ceases to exist. Humans do more Cruel things to other Humans; Man's Inhumanity to Man is constantly in your face on News programs but when you discover that Pagan organisations which pretain to represent the WHOLE of the Pagan Community in your area, city or state, get more donations for Animal Welfare organisations in their own areas (whether it be food, blankets or money) than is raised for other more "charitable" causes and the usual excuse is that the "Christians" have it covered ... well ... these organisations DO NOT represent me If you want to change the world my friends change your thinking first. 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