Weekly Newsletter from Christian Vegetarian Association CVA - October 13, 2025
From Christian Vegetarian Association (CVA)

  1. The Greatest Treason
  2. All-Creatures.Org Newsletter

1. The Greatest Treason

I would like to reflect on this passage from T.S. Eliot's Murder in the Cathedral, in which one of the Tempters says:

The last temptation is the greatest treason:
To do the right deed for the wrong reason.

The Tempters try to persuade Thomas Becket to compromise his faith and support the king. Becket refuses, but the question arises: is he motivated by devotion to God or by a desire to be remembered as a hero and saint? To act from self-interest rather than righteousness would, as Eliot writes, be "the greatest treason," because it would undermine the notion of righteousness.

This raises a dilemma. We should hesitate to judge others' motivations, since most decisions have mixed motives and our assumptions are often wrong. We also tend to attribute bad intentions to those with whom we disagree or whose actions conflict with our interests.

Yet, motivations do matter. Those who do the right deed for the wrong reason are likely to do the wrong deed when it benefits them. Worse, their previous good deeds may earn them misplaced trust when they later pursue harmful ends.

Meanwhile, it has become increasingly difficult to form informed opinions on complex issues or to make sound financial and political judgments. Artificial intelligence has made this even harder by enhancing the ability of advertisers and political actors to manipulate people through targeted messaging and deepfakes. It often seems easier to trust other "authorities" who seem knowledgeable and trustworthy and to dismiss others who seem untrustworthy.

In such confusing times, simple principles can guide us. Focusing on kindness, compassion, and mercy may not resolve every ethical dilemma, but it will rarely lead us far astray. Those who choose self-indulgence or show callous disregard for suffering—such as those who contribute directly or indirectly to animal abuse—reject this moral compass. They may not be unkind in every situation, but their kindness depends on whether it serves their own desires and interests.

Stephen R. Kaufman, M.D.

2. All-Creatures.Org Newsletter

Check out the 10/1/25 weekly newsletter. Contents include "The 'Human' Nature of Pigeons"; A Brief History of Veganism; several action alerts including last chance for gray whales; stories, poetry, prose, and art; essays including "Walk the Path of Mindfulness"; The Peaceable Kingdom Hour; Vegan Friendly Churches; Recipes; and Upcoming Events

All-Creatures.org Newsletter, Week of October 1, 2025

In the Love of the Lord,
Frank L. Hoffman
and
Kindness,
Tams Nicholson

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