[PurVirgo]

"Off topic, but I want to say that IMO PETA is the worst enemy animals have. I think they have accomplished very little positive and have created a great deal of mistrust in the public mind of anyone who takes a pro humane treatment of animal stance. I think that respect for all life is a natural inclination of religious people - all religions - and most of those are conservatives, but in-your-face organizations like PETA and even terms like 'animal rights' turn off those people before then can even camly consider the topic."

You know, I never thought about it that way. You're absolutely right, however. Respect for life in all its manifestations reflects a highly spiritual (hesitate to say religious) view of the world; PETA and other "animal rights activists" rarely come off as such.

Personally, I do enjoy eating meat, and my leather jacket and shoes keep me warm and dry. I also have two kitties that I adore, and when I go to my dad's, there is always room on my lap for one more animal to rest it's head.

I am fiercely against cruelty to animals, ESPECIALLY in cases such as this. Lastly, I am even against certain kinds of animal testing.

But - NEVER will I affiliate myself with PETA or label myself an "animal rights activist". They do NOTHING to push for legislature that would keep this *ucker from ever seeing the light of day from beyond a jail cell.

[Northern Alliance]

You know, I never thought about it that way. You're absolutely right, however. Respect for life in all its manifestations reflects a highly spiritual (hesitate to say religious) view of the world; PETA and other "animal rights activists" rarely come off as such.

Personally, I do enjoy eating meat, and my leather jacket and shoes keep me warm and dry. I also have two kitties that I adore, and when I go to my dad's, there is always room on my lap for one more animal to rest it's head.

I am fiercely against cruelty to animals, ESPECIALLY in cases such as this. Lastly, I am even against certain kinds of animal testing.

But - NEVER will I affiliate myself with PETA or label myself an "animal rights activist". They do NOTHING to push for legislature that would keep this *ucker from ever seeing the light of day from beyond a jail cell.

I'm glad I helped you see this in another light. I agree with everything you say including using the broader word 'spiritual' over 'religious'. I unabashedly use the word religious because so many Freepers identify themselves as such and I want to remind them that all life comes from the Creator and should be respected. 'Respect' does not seem to be in PETA's lexicon.