picture from www.sheep101.info
It saddens me, that with today's technology, schools still choose to make children participate in this barbaric act. I understand that when you are in medical school, or something along those lines, the time will come when you need to perform dissection. However, that dissection can take place on a human cadaver (unless you are in vet school, in which case, dissecting an animal would be acceptable). I should clarify: this would be acceptable given that the human/animal died a natural death, in other words, was not murdered for the pure intent to dissect.
Unfortunately, my daughter did not speak up and say anything because she was worried about the consequences of doing so. Therefore, I took this opportunity to talk with her and encourage her to stand up for her beliefs and told her that she is not any less entitled to her beliefs than anyone else, even if they are different from everyone else around her. I told her, instead of getting upset and frustrated, that we need to use this as a teachable moment to help those around us understand that there is a way to live more compassionately.
I see some activism in our future: no more dissection!
It is time we start teaching our children and the people around us to live compassionately and love deeply for the sake of ourselves, our planet, and the animals.
***UPDATE***
So I feel as though some clarifications need to be made after all the comments I have received regarding this post. First, let me just reiterate that I do not fundamentally disagree with all dissections, just dissections of murdered innocent, docile animals. When I was in school I had to participate in dissection. Dissection of frogs and other animals raised for this sole purpose is what bothers me. Dissecting a cat, calf, or some other animal brought in by a rancher due to a natural death (not meaning it was necessarily old, but meaning that it had not been killed for the sole purpose of being dissected) does not bother me.
In no way am I saying that I don't want kids to learn. I am simply suggesting that there are other ways to learn.
Also, of course I contacted my daughter's teacher right away, before I even typed this post last night. We have an agreement now that if she is not comfortable with dissections, she does not need to participate, so no more dissection for her. And, yes, if she would have known about this dissection prior to yesterday, this entire situation would have been avoided.
To those of you so quick to make rash comments to me, remember this: you do not even know me. If you did, as I believe my friends and family would attest to, I would never force any of my beliefs on anyone. I am simply trying to raise awareness and educate others about another lifestyle. You can take it or leave it. I accept and respect that there are many perspectives and opinions about EVERYTHING. So the last thing I would ever do is intentionally offend someone. It is not in my nature to be rude, aggressive, or insulting, and in turn I expect the same from others.
To those of you who love, respect, and support me, even if you don't agree with me on everything, thank you!
I would like to leave you with this quote from Mahatma Gandhi, "To my mind, the life of a lamb is no less precious than the life of a human being. I should be unwilling to take the life of a lamb for the sake of the human body. I hold that, the more helpless the creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man." I realize that this is not a view held by everyone, but it is fitting for me.
8 comments:
I feel that it is not ok to get rid of animal dissections in schools. they are an important step for many children to gain a love of anatomy. With out thouse children we would not have doctors. No one would be working toward a better world with less death. Plus it clearly states in the bible that is what is ment to happen, animals eat animals. And as such with out animals in the wild eating each other and leaving part behind our earth would not be as rich as it is today. Dead animals is what enriches the soil. which is were you get part of the nutrition from when you eat a plant. Now i do like the idea of trying to get a manditor permission slip for such activitys. a parent should have a say in what there child is exposted to at what ages.
So many things that I would like to say...but for now, I am just going to say this: doesn't the bible say thou shalt not kill?
Yes but the the commandments are refering to man and what we do to each other. There is lots of storys in the bible that involve eating or killing animals. But this is just my oppion on the hole thing. I still think it is important in schools
Thougj i feel others should respect you for your beliefs as should you respect others who differ on the topic. The wholr class shouldnt have to give up dissecting because of one student.
Anonymous,
Did you read my updated post?
I agree with you wholeheartedly, and really admire you for nurturing your children's compassion and sensitivity, as well as for encouraging them to speak their truth and to have the courage to speak up on behalf of powerless, voiceless victims.
I abhor vivisection. It should at least be curbed. Better, it should be abolished. I know of no achievement through vivisection, no scientific discovery, that could not have been obtained without such barbarism and cruelty. The whole thing is evil.
~Charles Mayo (founder of the Mayo Clinic)
Wow, check out today's VegInspiration essay and Prayer Circle by Dr. Will Tuttle! How timely.
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