1. Activist feedback
2. Book Announcement
3. Essay: Following Christ and Making a Living, part
2: The Soul of Corporations
4. This Week’s Sermon from Rev. Frank and Mary
Hoffman
1. Activist feedback
A couple of weeks ago I leafleted at a Joyce Meyer event in Cleveland
and distributed over 700 booklets before the Friday PM and Saturday AM
programs. I found that an effective introduction as I offered booklets
was, “Free booklet about mindful Christian eating.” I found that
individuals and small groups tended to be more receptive than large
groups of people.
Steve Kaufman
Upcoming Activist
Opportunities
12/9 PA Lancaster
Jars Of Clay Christian Rock Concert
12/9 NC
Winston-Salem World Vision A Christmas Spectacular
12/9 OK Oklahoma
City Night of Stories Christmas Tour
12/9 NV Reno
Stellar Kart Christian Rock Concert
12/9 MI Grand
Rapids Gaither Christmas Homecoming Tour
12/10 OH Cincinnati
Gaither Christmas Homecoming Tour
12/11 OH Greenvile
Illumination Christ is Come
12/15 IL
Bloomington Gaither Christmas Homecoming
12/16 OH Columbus
Gaither Christmas Homecoming
12/16 NC Lenoir
Elishah Christian Rock Concert
12/16 TX Richardson
Night of Stories Christmas Tour
12/17 WV Huntington
Gaither Christmas Homecoming
12/18 MO
Independence World Vision A Christmas Spectacular
12/31 GA Duluth
Gaither’s Jubilate
2. Book Announcement
Lisa Kemmerer, who (with co-authors) has several excellent books to
her credit, including Call to Compassion: Religious Perspectives on
Animal Advocacy and Speaking Up for Animals: An Anthology of Women’s
Voices, writes:
Animals and World Religions has just reached the shelves. You can
find it on my amazon page: http://www.amazon.com/Lisa-Kemmerer/e/B001JOKT0M.
Please let others know the book is out, and if possible, contribute a
review, such as on the Amazon site.
3. Essay: Following Christ and Making a Living,
part 2: The Soul of Corporations
Officers of corporations are required by law to abide by the
directives of the shareholders. The Shareholders almost always want the
board of directors to maximize profits. Stocks are purchased primarily
by mutual funds, pension plans, foundations, and individuals whose sole
reason for purchasing stock is to generate as much income as possible.
Corporations can and do engage in altruistic behavior, but almost always
the reason for their generosity is to enhance their public image in an
effort to make more money. Corporations whose products cause
environmental damage or harm humans in other ways are particularly eager
to appear concerned about social welfare.
Corporations are recognized by law as persons, but one way
corporations differ from living persons is that corporations have no
souls. Most of us act generously and kindly because we are humans and
generosity and kindness, as well as less admirable characteristics, are
among the attributes typical of our species. Corporations, lacking
feelings of any kind, have no inherent regard for the welfare of humans,
nonhumans, or the environment. The only things that stop them from
harming humans, nonhumans, and the environment are laws that punish
harmful corporate behavior, the threat of lawsuits from harmed
individuals, and loss of income if consumers regard corporations
unfavorably.
We have a term for people who have no conscience and only look out
themselves – psychopaths. This best describes the personality of
corporations, and this is why nonhumans at the mercy of corporate
persons are at great risk. Laws written by and for humans provide little
if any protection for nonhumans, particularly in industries where animal
exploitation is a central component; nonhumans can’t sue; and nonhumans
don’t make consumer choices. Next week, I’ll consider the effects of the
amorality of corporations on people who work for corporations.
Stephen R. Kaufman, M.D.
4. This Week’s Sermon from Rev. Frank and Mary
Hoffman
Do We Await Christmas in the Darkness or in the Light?
http://www.all-creatures.org/sermons97/s27nov88.html