Rev. Rita MeKila Herring
Universal Brotherhood Movement
The topic of animals is truly a tough one because it’s one that carries with it a heavy dichotomy. Science believes that humans are included in the animal kingdom yet many religions consider humans superior and animals “lowly.” Most are of the belief that humans are the most intelligent beings on earth but can they be so sure? We’re the only beings that put our own in cages. When you observe animals in their natural environment, there seems to be instinctual understanding of what’s acceptable and what is not within each unique community. We, the most intelligent have lost that instinctual understanding.
We’ve developed an unhealthy approach of separateness to everything. Separateness from animals because we’re better than them in some way. Separateness from others within our own species because we’re better than them too. It all appears to be insanely out of control.
Exclusiveness as an approach to life simply is not working for us. We need to approach a more inclusive attitude. We need to be more accepting of our fellow human beings even if they seem to be different in one way or another. We need to be more accepting of the life force contained within each animal. Our balance is terribly out of control and if we are to utilize our supposed supreme intelligence, we must adopt a more grateful and respectful attitude toward all animals, including ourselves.
Indigenous cultures believe that each animal carries lessons for us. Native Americans and Shamans called upon animals for their “medicine” – if a warrior needed to see in the dark, he’d call on Owl Medicine to enhance his eyesight. The world is full of wonderfully perfect teachers if we only remain open to what they have to share.
Look to other members of our animal family with a sense of responsibility and respect. Activate that claimed higher intelligence and do something about the wrongs and imbalances we’re witnessing on our precious planet.
Originally published in The Garden Island Newspaper Aug. 29, 2008.
