If Only AR Were A Religion

I have always said that if the animal rights movement were a religion we would receive more respect. By that I meant respect from the wider world not the actual activists within the movement. Now I say not only would we receive more respect from outsiders but we would also receive more dedication from within the movement. I look at the muslim religion with both fear and envy, the followers of this religion are so dedicated to their cause they are willing to give their lives. Can the same be said for the animal rights movement? Does it take the promise of countless virgins in paradise or the guarantee of a place in heaven to demand that dedication?

We can learn a lot from religious movements with their dedication and unity. A muslim women can claim discrimination against an employer simply for not being allowed to wear their burka, should we not also be allowed to claim such discrimination when our colleagues devour their meat filled lunches? Should we not also be discriminated against when our local restaurant advertises its availability of Halal meat? Are we not discriminated against by the McDonalds or KFC adverts flashed across our televisions daily? Of course we are! There is only one difference from the AR movement and the many religious movements out there and that is they have more determination and organisation than us!

All that separates our needs from theirs is a historic book. if the Koran or Bible said eating meat was a sin would we be seeing muslims suicide bombing slaughter houses and christians picketing the fur farms? I have no doubt this would be a reality!

What makes the situation worse is there is no proof for the existence of god, alah, Jesus or Mohammed other than a book written thousands of years ago. AR has the advantage of fact on its side, the facts of AR are there to see for anyone willing to open their eyes or minds! The great injustice against the animal kingdom by human beings has not only existed longer than any of these historic books but STILL exists today!

We need the same determination and unity from our very own activists. Liberation is a reality and if we want it we can have it we just need to work hard enough to get it, together, united and organised!