Hi Misty
I suppose that it is indicative of the society we live in, that compassion can be seen as a politically subversive idea.
Ideas like that expressed by the Pope prick the conscious and that is a sure fire way to elicit responses of indignation or condemnation cloaked in a political or social front. Much easier to call someone a Marxist than address the message,which is a universal message within the Christian faith.
but more often then not you are correct
compassion that does not fall within the confines of the individual's own comfort zone, leads to accusations that are political in nature and very directionally biased.
As for animals again you are correct originally man was destined to be gardeners and vegetarians. Man's weakness resulted in the shedding of the first innocent blood which were animals and ever since, the suffering of man and beast has not abated.
The account of Noah is interesting the Ark contained a small human family and a new covenant with God, man was not alone in that covenant it carried the beasts of the field.
A creator God could have easily repopulated a planet but he chose not to, man and beast were on the ark together.
Now man is created in the image of God, beasts are not, but we are stewards of our planet and often we let ourselves and the other fauna and flora terribly down. Remembering God also blessed these creatures during creation.
English Standard Version
And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”
But to focus away from our direct environment, the Biblical orders of creation does not necessarily mean that enlightenment is found further up the chain, we have angels that have erred just like lowly humans have and both still do.
Interesting concept enlightenment and spirituality that this is somehow found higher up the creation chain.
its real and powerful and I do not doubt the experiences that people have
but ontologically its origins that is the critical component that one must carefully study.
What is it and where is it from just because it may be real, a higher order, and powerful does not mean that it is not malignant.
