1. Activist Feedback
Rick Hershey, leafleting at Winter Jam in Augusta, GA, writes:
I handed out 1650 CVA booklets at James Brown Arena in Augusta for Winter Jam today. As usual, most of the booklets went to kids. One man boasted that he likes cows; he likes to eat them. I replied that I like them too; that’s why I don’t eat them.
Contact Lorena Valenzi at lorenavalenziveg@gmail.com if you would like to leaflet at Winter Jam or other events. It’s a great way to advocate for God’s creatures, and you can qualify for $25/hr. donation to the animal advocacy or veg. group of your choice.
2. Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Association
Last time, we considered Christian principles that might counter
tribalism, selfishness, and engagement in the scapegoating process.
Identifying and abiding by such principles would likely help us build the
“Beloved Community.”
I would say that the first principle is freedom of speech. No other freedom
is secure without it. This means that we must endure speech that we find
highly offensive. If we aim to ban “offensive” speech, we will find that the
political leaders who determine what speech is “offensive” will ban whatever
speech they don’t like. For example, politically powerful animal abuse
industries could rule that animal protectionism is “offensive” and punish
animal advocates. Related to freedom of speech is freedom of association –
the right to interact with whomever one pleases.
The advent of AI, in conjunction with sophisticated surveillance
technologies such as facial recognition, greatly enhance the power of the
state to curtail both freedom of speech and freedom of association. Indeed,
once an autocratic regime takes power, it will become virtually impossible
to restore any freedoms the regime decides to take away, including the
freedom to own property, to love whomever we please, and to worship however
we might choose. It will require vigilance and hard work to retain our
essential freedoms. As democratic institutions seem to be crumbling
throughout the world, I have concerns about whether humanity is up to the
task. But, for the sake of all who are vulnerable, we must struggle to
preserve our freedoms.
Stephen R. Kaufman, MD
3. From All-Creatures.Org Ministry
All-Creatures.org Newsletter, February 7, 2024:
Dear Friends,
Can you believe that Valentine’s Day is just around the corner? Oh my gosh!
We hope you enjoy this week's newsletter. There are so many
thought-provoking articles to share with you.
Biofluorescence in many Amphibians — sabotaged hunting traps — Life of Pei:
The Battle for Compassion [book] — PCRM statement on Musk’s neuralink
implant — warehoused Hens’ horrific conditions — about cats’ facial
expressions — Sacred Nature: Non-Western voices on animals, people, climate
[book] — barn fire kills thousands of Hens — Horse ‘trainer’ arrested for
beating ‘Finish Line’ who had to be euthanized — ACTAsia’s 2023
accomplishments — Horses’ complex emotions — greenwashing animal protein —
and more…
Do you have things that you would like to see included in future newsletters? Then send it to us at veda@all-creatures.org.
In the Love of the Lord,
Frank L Hoffman
All-Creatures.org
and
Kindness,
Tams Nicholson
Executive Directress
All-Creatures.org