Confederation and meat consumption

[Diana]

It’s really hard to illustrate the point that cruelty is everywhere, every choice takes from one part of creation to spare another.

The Christmas tree thing is the perfect example. I have a fake one because I hate mess but if you think of all those thousands of acres of Christmas tree farms, more likely millions, each tree growing an average of 10 years before harvest then really those Christmas trees all over the northern hemisphere are doing this planet a lot of good. They wouldn’t be there without purposely planting them.

Wildlife and humans alike benefit from the oxygen production and pollution filtering capacity of those Christmas trees. There is no way to call that a waste if anything it is a sto act of care they provide and we participate in that cycle that helps it continue. Well I don’t but I am glad others do.

You could see cruelty in the harvest of trees, in the judgement of those that use them, in the production of fake trees, in the judgement of those that buy fake, in the fossils fuel burning to get either to market it’s everywhere. Pick your poison or better yet live your conscience and let those of us doing quite well already live our own.

My intention in responding to posts such as this always derives from the responsibility I feel in providing information from my perspective, to whomever happens to read or browse here, and to the truth as much as I am able to apprehend it.

It is nice to look at the bright side of things. It's important to produce positive energy. But not at the expense of denial of the facts, in my opinion.

Regarding Christmas trees: Cut down rainforests (see stats below), and clearcut old growth trees depleting the planet of oxygen (and destroying more life forms than just the trees). (All in the name of profit.) Then, after we (and while we continue to) deplete the tree population that grows naturally, plant trees, let them live for ten years, chop them down (for profit) so people can decorate them, and toss them after a few weeks. 

It's not so much that it's a waste. It's self-defeating, human-centric, cruel, unnecessary, mercenary…I can't think of enough words to describe how insane I think this is. One (out-of-the-box) choice is to not have a tree at all at Christmastime. You don't have to choose a fake tree as opposed to a real tree, that creates a carbon footprint or uses fossil fuels to make.

So the idea that it's a good thing that the Christmas trees are planted is undeniable from a human standpoint. Since we destroy the naturally growing trees at an alarming rate, it behooves us (even if the oxygen is not the motivation), to plant some trees to compensate for the destruction we cause. 

I wonder if someone here will propose that the Christmas trees would not otherwise have the opportunity for a life. Within the context of the below statistics, I don't see how that would be a viable theory. 

I think it's really a nice thing to appreciate the oxygen the short-lived Christmas trees are providing for us. But it cannot, in my opinion, be a justification for senseless destruction.

All we have to do is substitute humans in any scenario for trees, animals, or any life forms, and the bright optimism breaks down, and reveals, if one is willing to look at it, the human-centric state most of modern-day society is in.

Rainforests once covered 14% of the earth's land surface; now they cover a mere 6% and experts estimate that the last remaining rainforests could be consumed in less than 40 years.

One and one-half acres of rainforest are lost every second with tragic consequences for both developing and industrial countries.

Rainforests are being destroyed because the value of rainforest land is perceived as only the value of its timber by short-sighted governments, multi-national logging companies, and land owners.

Nearly half of the world's species of plants, animals and microorganisms will be destroyed or severely threatened over the next quarter century due to rainforest deforestation.

Experts estimates that we are losing 137 plant, animal and insect species every single day due to rainforest deforestation. That equates to 50,000 species a year.

Most rainforests are cleared by chainsaws, bulldozers and fires for its timber value and then are followed by farming and ranching operations, even by world giants like Mitsubishi Corporation, Georgia Pacific, Texaco and Unocal.
…

Rainforest Facts

There is no one here without creations blood on their hands. Have kids your carbon footprint just became huge, eat take out, so much waste produced, live to travel... woah those jets are murder on the environment.... cruelty is everywhere if you are looking for it. Or you can see creation exploring some interesting and beautiful but imperfect parts. It will all wash away and be forgotten in a few thousand years. Do your best and trust others are doing there’s too.

I personally do not "look for cruelty" (and I am aware the statement may not have been directed at me or anyone in particular)—my eyes are just open, and I don't deny its existence. The element I think missing in the above black&white scenario is responsibility and accountability.

I don't pretend people aren't starving in the world, but I don't focus on it either. And when it is in my power to help, without being a martyr about it, I just help. When I choose toilet paper, I get recycled and if there is a choice in less or eco-friendly packaging I choose that.

I totally agree that reactions, attitudes, and the way we see things is important. Choosing to see things from the perspective of acceptance and nonjudgment is certainly my goal. But neither am I going to sugar-coat or deny facts so I can happily go about participating in suffering, cruelty, and destruction, as far as I am able. I am aware that I am NOT aware of all the ways in which I contribute to noncompassionate practices on this planet. But I remain open to learning and becoming aware, so that I can can continue to make the most compassionate choices.