Has your attitude toward animals changed since leaving the JW's?

by AlmostAtheist 8 Replies latest jw friends

  • AlmostAtheist
    AlmostAtheist

    Mine has. I used to feel, "Jehovah considers animals as a whole to be important, but he doesn't consider any one animal to have any value. After all, he saved all the righteous people in the ark, but he only preserved a representative of each kind of animal. God slaughtered them without regard, why should I care?"

    Now I feel VERY differently. I see each animal as an individual with its single, valuable, precious lifespan. When the starlings come to the feeder in the morning, each one impresses me individually. I no longer consider myself the 'last great creation', but I'm just another shmoe out there trying to survive. I don't in any sense buy the watchtower line that man has a monopoly on love, or any other emotions. How intelligent are these creatures? Are they self-aware? Do they ask themselves the same thing about me as they peer in the window and cock their heads at me?

    I'll still happily eat animals, just as they happily eat each other. And I'm sure if push came to shove, they'd eat me. But I have a much higher regard for them now.

    How about you?

    Dave

  • OldSoul
    OldSoul

    Definitely. And cool thread, m'man.

  • Honesty
    Honesty

    I have found much more deeper insight into the Creator's love by my radically changed view of the animals. And I have seen a remarkable change in the way my cats interact with me and each other. It is as if they know how destructive mentally and emotionally the borg affects humans and animals. I can see and feel the unconditional affection they have for me now since being set free from slavery to the WTBTS.

  • frankiespeakin
    frankiespeakin

    As an abused child I tortued bugs and kill many a helpless bird,squirrel. I feel bad about that and want to know the sacredness of what is and act accordingly I think i have faced the guilt and can move on to face more. i LOVE YOU GRANDMA!!!

  • OldSoul
    OldSoul
    honesty: I can see and feel the unconditional affection they have for me now since being set free from slavery to the WTBTS.

    Maybe they sense that you are now capable of unconditional affection, for both yourself and others.

  • frankiespeakin
    frankiespeakin

    OS,

    You are very thoughtful,,,

  • OldSoul
    OldSoul

    Thanks frankie. I have always preferred "thoughtful" to the alternative ("thoughless") <evil grin>

    For what it's worth, in my opinion there is more to you than you give yourself credit for.

  • prophecor
    prophecor

    Dave, that is such a great question, I do hold not only animals, but every living breathing creature as deserving of the highest amount of respect to be given to their lives. They are truly viewed by me as Almighty God's creatures, as well as gifts to mankind.

    Animal, plant and even insects are given the utmost respect when dealing with them. I no longer just haul off and kill something indescriminently without thought given to it first. Every other living being, not human, still wants to live, regardless for how insignificant we think that being may be. I no longer take a swat at something in an attempt to kill it. for instance, an insect that may land on my arm, instead of automatically killing it, because it's invaded my territorial airspace, I will blow it off me, or shake it off me, not just killing the tiny creature, because just like me, it just wants to live.

    I even have an higher regard for creatures that I'm not so prone to liking, we have a dog here and I'm not a dog fancier by any means whatsoever, and we have not had a good relationship since she's been here over 3 years now. She's been realy working the sad eyes situation on me, I've allowed her break me down, and I even think I could start to like her.

  • confusedjw
    confusedjw

    I think I value so many things more now that the coming of the latest WT isn't the center of my life.

    We've gotten a dog since leaving JWism and he's great. He doesn't give a shit whether I went to the meeting or not - he still loves me if I give him a piece of cheese.

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