Why Is It Called Animal Husbandry?

Why is it called animal husbandry?  [1] Are we the husband, looking after and taking care of animals? If so, then based on the way we abuse and exploit animals, we're an abusive husband.
_______
References:
1. Animal husbandry. www.en.wikipedia.org. Retrieved Sept 23, 2014.

Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.

Animal Abuse And Exploitation Has To Stop

Edited: Nov 8, 2014.

WARNING: This post contains graphic content that some readers may find disturbing and distressing. Discretion is advised.

Today, we're immersed in the quality of selfishness, seeking to benefit ourselves with no regard for others. Animals suffer cruelly on account of human selfishness. We treat each other so badly, why would we respect other forms of life on earth? 

A recent report by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) announced that the world has lost 52% of its biodiversity over the last 40 years. [1]

Jesus Christ was abused, beaten, mistreated, then crucified. Some animals are abused, beaten, mistreated, then killed. Animals are a big part of our lives, and unfortunately, in many cases, our relationship with animals is abusive and exploitative, which has to stop:

1. FOOD:
• Poultry:
• Eggs: Hens are kept in small battery cages and can barely move. [2]
• Chickens: Broiler chickens bred to be as large as possible, to produce as much meat as possible. As a result, some can't support their own weight. Some suffer leg deformities, broken bones, get fecal burns from resting in their own feces, and some die of heart failure. [3] To prevent pecking, they're debeaked (their beaks are cut off), which leads to acute and chronic pain. [4] 
• Turkeys: Turkeys are reared in cramped spaces, some become blind due to light manipulations and they're also debeaked. [5] 
• Pigs:
• Sometimes pigs are subjected to negative treatment by their handlers (slaps, punches, kicks and bites). This leads to fear and stress in the animals. [6]
• Pigs transported to slaughter suffer terribly. More than 1 million pigs die each year due to the horrors of transport alone. They're beaten, electrical prods are stuck into their rectum to get them to move, they're crammed into 18-wheelers so tightly that their guts pop out of their butts, some die because they freeze to death on the sides of the trucks in winter, some die of heat exhaustion in the summer, and some die of heart attacks due to the stress of the ordeal. At the slaughter house, many pigs aren't stunned properly and they're still alive when they reach the scalding tank. [7]
• Cows:
• Dairy cattle: Dairy cattle are impregnated continually, calves are immediately separated from their mothers, and cows are given hormones to increase reproduction and to increase milk production. [8] As a result, some have abnormally large udders, which are painful and uncomfortable.
• Beef Cattle: Cattle are branded for identification, which is painful. [9] Cattle transported to slaughter suffer terribly. They're crammed into trucks, they freeze to the sides of the trucks in the winter, and they collapse in the summer due to the heat. At the slaughter house they're shot, sometimes unsuccessfully, and they end up dying piece by piece. [10]
• Seafood:
• Fishing: Overfishing has depleted fish stock worldwide. [11] Often, other unwanted sea creatures are caught in fish nets and die as a result.
• Fish Farms: Fish are cramped into small spaces with little room to move. Often, they're riddled with disease. [12]
• Sharks: Shark fin soup is a delicacy in some places but their treatment is deplorable. Their fins are cut off and the rest of the living shark is thrown back into the ocean (shark finning), where it dies a slow, cruel death. [13]
• Lobsters and Crabs: Lobsters and crabs are kept alive in small, cramped cages in restaurants and at markets. They're cooked alive, dipped into hot boiling water.
• Leftover Body Parts:
• Unused muscle tissue, tendons, bones and other animal by-products, known as "animal protein hydrolysates" can be added to processed foods, even ice cream. [14] Do we really know what we're eating? 
• Pesticides:
• To control pests, farmers use pesticides, which kills pests and other animals such as birds, severely poisons about 3 million agriculture workers (killing about 18,000) each year, and results in air, water and land/soil pollution and contamination. In the USA, the human health and environmental cost from pesticides is about USD $9.6 billion. [15]
• Coffee - Kopi Luwak:
• These are coffee beans that have been eaten and defecated by the Asian palm civet, a small nocturnal mammal. The coffee is supposed to be the most expensive in the world; however, the animals are caged and kept in deplorable conditions. [16]
• SUMMARY:
• The food industry is all about making money, and they seek to achieve profits by whatever means necessary. Unfortunately, animals suffer as a result. We should really think about what we're eating and how animals are treated.
• How can we be so cruel? The inhumane treatment of animals can never be justified.
2. FASHION:
• Clothes:
• Animals are killed for their fur, and leather is used to make jackets, shoes, belts, wallets, gloves etc.
• Jewelry:
• Elephants are killed for their ivory.
• Oysters are killed for pearls.
• There are bear tooth and bear claw necklaces, shark tooth necklaces etc.
• There's jewelry made out of animal bones.
3. ENTERTAINMENT:
• Races:
• Horse Racing (Gambling): Horses are overworked. Sometimes they break a leg and have to be euthanized, which is what happened to Eight Belles, who broke both front ankles and had to be euthanized on the track. [17]
• Greyhound Racing (Gambling): Animals suffer broken legs, broken necks, paralysis and heart attacks. [18]
• Running of the bulls is popular in Spain: Sometimes people and/or the bulls are injured. [19]
• Fights:
• There's bull fighting, dog fighting, cock fighting etc., all harmful to animals.
• Zoos:
• Animals are kept in small, enclosed spaces, like a prison.
• Aquariums:
• Sea creatures are kept in small, enclosed spaces.
• Dolphins, killer whales and other animals are trained to perform in ridiculous shows.
• Circuses:
• Animals are trained to perform in ridiculous shows.
• Animal Rides:
• There are horse rides, camel rides, elephant rides [20] etc. The animals are beaten and mistreated, 'broken' to make them rideable.
• Acting:
• Animals (dogs, monkeys etc.) are trained to 'act' for the film and television industry. They often look miserable and/or fearful, from being over trained.
• Roboroach [21]:
• A USA company called Backyard Brains developed a backpack that fits onto a cockroach, allowing a user to control a cockroach. This is cruel and abusive.
4. PETS:
• Pet Stores:
• Animals are kept in small confined cages.
• Puppy Mills [22]:
• Female dogs are mated over and over again to produce puppies.
• The dogs are kept in deplorable conditions.
• Smuggling:
• Exotic animals are smuggled out of their native habitat to be sold elsewhere as 'pets'.
• Theft:
• Thieves steal other people's pets to sell them for money.
• Abuse:
• Pets are often physically abused, beaten, mistreated, neglected, starved, sexually abused (bestiality) etc.
• Loneliness:
• Pets are often left alone by their busy owners for long periods at a time. In Britain, it's estimated that one in four dogs is depressed, caused by the stress of being left alone. [23] 
• Drugs:
• With the recent trend to legalize marijuana for recreational use, pets are also affected and become intoxicated when they inhale the smoke, eat the dried plants, or eat foods laced with marijuana, such as cookies. [24]
• Not to mention all the other animals and creatures in and around the home or smoking location (spiders, flies, bees, birds nests, raccoons etc.), that may also be adversely affected.
• Hot Cars:
• Some owners leave their dogs in hot cars while they run errands, and sometimes the dogs suffer heatstroke or die because temperatures in cars can be up to 20C (70F) greater than the temperatures outside. [25] 
• Abandonment:
• Unwanted pets and other animals are left at shelters or abandoned elsewhere, such as by the side of the road. This is traumatic for the animals.
• Food:
• Pet food can be expensive, especially for lower income households. As a result, pets may not get the appropriate nutrition or diet.
5. VETERINARY SERVICES:
• Expensive:
• Veterinary services are expensive and even though most people want the best for their pets and animals, they may not be able to afford the expensive fees and/or medications. As a result (and because they may not have a choice), some people may let their pets suffer through ailments without medical attention, or (at worst) the animals are put down.
• Lack of Personnel:
• Another issue is that there aren't enough animal care personnel, which affects the availability of care and the quality of care that animals get.
6. SEX WITH ANIMALS:
• Some people have sex with animals (zoophilia/bestiality), such as with dogs, cats, horses etc. In most countries, bestiality is illegal. [26]
7. ANIMAL ABUSE:
• Some people abuse animals for their own selfish pleasure. For example:
• A cat was doused in gasoline and set on fire [27]
• A cat was shot 16 times with a pellet gun [28]
8. PRODUCTS:
• Plastic bags, fabric softener, toothpaste and other products have animal ingredients. [29]
9. TESTING AND RESEARCH:
• Animal Testing And Research:
• Animals are used for testing drugs, cosmetics and other products, and for other forms of research. Up to 100 million animals are used in animal testing and research annually. [30]
• Genetic Mutilations:
• Animals are genetically modified/engineered, for example, glowing mice. [31] This is completely unacceptable. Genetic mutilation must stop.
10. MILITARY:
• Underwater Bomb Testing:
• Underwater explosions affects the ability of marine animals to communicate [32] and to potentially use sonar for navigation. They become disoriented and may beach themselves in an attempt to escape their hostile environment.
• Some animals are used by the military, for example, dolphins. [33]
11. HEALTH:
• Bear Bile:
• Some people consume bear bile, considered to be part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Bears are kept in cages, in cruel, deplorable conditions and bile is extracted from their gall bladder. [34]
• Oysters:
• Some people eat oysters to increase their libido.
• Cancer Detection:
• Some dogs (and potentially other animals) can detect cancer. [35]
• Seizure Response Dogs:
• Some dogs (and other animals) can predict seizures. [36]
• Death Prediction:
• Some animals can predict death, such as Oscar the therapy cat. [37]
12. COMPETITIONS:
• Equestrian sports:
• In competitions such as polo, horse jumping etc., there's often injuries to riders and horses.
• Rodeos:
• There's bull riding and horse riding, where people and animals are often injured.
• Animal Shows:
• There are dog shows and other animals shows. Animals compete to be 'best in show', with potential lucrative endorsement deals.
• The animals are subjected to questionable treatments in order to meet competition standards.
13. HUNTING:
• Poachers:
• Poachers kill elephants for their tusks, rhinos for their horns, animals for their skins etc.
• Since 2010, nearly 35,000 elephants have been killed every year in Africa because of the growing market in Asia. [38]
• Legal Permits:
• In some places, animals (lions, rhinos, bears etc) are legally hunted with permits. Their bodies are stuffed, mounted, then put on display (taxidermy) [39], simply for bragging rights, to show off, and for selfish pleasure and satisfaction.
• Whaling and seal hunting is controversial.
• Traps:
• Animal traps are used to catch animals, by the leg or other body part. This is painful and animals often die a slow, cruel death. .
14. ANIMAL CONTROL:
• Various methods are used to control animals:
• Insecticides:  Are used to control insects commercially and in the home. The insects die a slow cruel death.
• Insect Glue Traps: Are used to catch insects. They're lured to the trap, become trapped in the glue and die a slow cruel death.
• Rat/Mouse Poison: Is used to control rats and mice. They die a slow cruel death. Sometimes other animals, such as dogs, eat the poison and are adversely affected.
• Rat/Mouse Traps and Glue Traps: Are also used to control rats and mice. They also die a slow cruel death.
15. WORK:
• Guide Dogs:
• Help the blind, but sometimes suffer stress due to overexertion.
• Police Dogs:
• Dogs are trained to accompany police, and just like human officers, sometimes they die in the line of duty.
• Mounted Police:
• Horses are used by police and sometimes they're shot, run over by cars etc.
• Guard Dogs:
• Dogs are trained to guard people and their property, but sometimes they're killed intentionally as intruders try to gain access.
• Detection Dogs:
• Detection dogs (sniffer dogs) detect explosives, drugs etc., at airports, borders and other areas requiring security checks. [40]
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• Cows, Horses, Donkeys etc.:
• Are used to plow fields.
16. TEACHING AND EDUCATION:
• Cadavers:
• Animals are dissected and studied to teach doctors, veterinarians, biology students etc.
• Zoology and Animal Research:
• Animals are studied to learn more about them. They are the topic of many undergrad and graduate theses and research work. 
• Horses: Horses are used to teach people how to ride a horse.
17. TRANSPORTATION:
• Horses are used to transport people, pull carriages and wagons.
• Donkeys are used to transport people, pull carts and carry loads.
• Camels are used to transport people and carry loads.
• Dog sleds are used to transport people and goods over ice and snow. Sometimes dog sleds are used in racing.
18. ACCIDENTS:
• Roadkill:
• Cars: Animals are killed by cars and trucks, with an estimated 1 million animals killed each day in the USA. [41]
• Trains: Trains kill many animals, e.g. four elephants in India. [42] 
• Airplanes: In 2003 in the USA, there were ~51,000 bird strikes. [43] Sometimes pets travelling with their owners die in the cargo hold. [44]
• Windows:
• Birds fly into windows because they can't see the glass. They suffer head injuries and become grounded, or they break their necks and die.
• Artificial Light:
• Some animals (such as moths), are attracted to the light at night. With so much artificial light at night, moths spend hours circles lamps and other artificial light.
• Oil Spills:
• For example the Exxon Valdez oil spill affected many animals. [45]
19. POLLUTION:
• Air, land and water pollution affects many animals. Some leave their natural habitat looking for safer territory. Others suffer the consequences - mutations, deformations etc. You might see a frog with extra legs. [46]
• Mercury builds up in fish because they're high on the food chain. [47]
• Sometimes fish just die and nobody knows why. [48]
20. DECREASE IN HABITABLE LAND:
• Melting Ice Packs:
• As the ice packs in the Arctic and Antarctic melt, polar bears, penguins, walruses [49] and other animals lose their natural habitat.
• Deforestation:
• Animals lose their natural habitat and are displaced.
• Wildfires:
• Whether wildfires are started naturally (lightening strikes) or due to human action, animals become displaced or lose their lives.
• Reefs Destroyed:
• The popularity of diving has destroyed reefs because divers stand on them, touch them, take souvenirs etc. Reefs are homes to many marine creatures.
• Urban Visitors:
• As animals lose their natural habitat, they're often drawn to urban centers looking for food. Sometimes they're relocated, sometimes they're euthanized.
21. WEATHER AND NATURAL DISASTERS:
• Natural Disasters:
• Some animals can predict the weather and natural disasters before they happen. During the Dec 2004 tsunami, elephants ran for the hills before it struck. [50] 
• The weather affects animals in many ways. Here are a few examples:
• Floods: Affects burrowing animals.
• Freezing Temperatures: Birds wings can become frozen so they can't fly.
• Hot Temperatures: Animals can be overcome by the heat.
• Hurricanes: Bring some marine creatures to shore.
• Storms and Strong Winds: Destroy birds nests and other animal homes.
22. DOMINO EFFECT:
• Because all of nature is an integrated, interconnected and interdependent system, when one part of nature is adversely affected, other parts become adversely affected, in a domino effect.
• For example, bees pollinate plants, and when bees begin to die for some unknown reason, plant pollination is affected. [51]

While animal protection and animal welfare groups and initiatives exist, such as Greenpeace, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), World Wildlife Fund (WWF), World Animal Protection, government sponsored anti poaching programs, animal conservation groups etc., more should be done.

Round tables need to be established to determine how to permanently eliminate animal abuse and exploitation in the entire world.

Animals are very much a part of our lives, but our relationship with animals doesn't have to be abusive, exploitative and cruel. We can and should interact with animals in a humane, dignified and respectful way. We should find a positive and harmonious balance with all animals and with all of nature. All animals abuse and exploitation has to stop.

We have to change from personal selfishness to mutual bestowal. In everything we do, we should seek to benefit others, including all animals and all life on earth.

This planet is home to many species and it's our job to look after each other and to look after all life on earth.

That said, eventually we'll come to realize that we're surrounded by love, that we've never done anything bad to anyone or to nature, and that nothing bad has ever happened to us, others or to nature. That doesn't mean that people have free license to do whatever they want, not at all. In everything we do, we should seek to benefit others, all animals and all life on earth.

May The One True God, The Infinite God, The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob guide us, may He lead us and may He show us the way.

God is with us and to Him we shall all return.
__________
References:

1. Living Planet Report 2014. www.worldwildlife.org. World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Retrieved Oct 3, 2014.
2. Battery cage. www.en.wikipedia.org. Retrieved Sept 23, 2014.
3. Broiler. www.en.wikipedia.org. Retrieved Sept 23, 2014.
4. Debeaking. www.en.wikipedia.org. Retrieved Sept 23, 2014.
5. Domesticated turkey. www.en.wikipedia.org. Retrieved Sept 23, 2014.
6. Pig farming. www.en.wikipedia.org. Retrieved Sept 23, 2014.
7. Pig Transport And Slaughter. www.peta.org. Retrieved Sept 23, 2014.
8. Dairy cattle. www.en.wikipedia.org. Retrieved Sept 23, 2014.
9. Livestock branding. www.en.wikipedia.org. Retrieved Sept 23, 2014.
10. Cow Transport and Slaughter. www.peta.org. Retrieved Sept 23, 2014.
11. Overfishing. www.en.wikipedia.org. Retrieved Sept 23, 2014.
12. Fish farming. www.en.wikipedia.org. Retrieved Sept 23, 2014.
13. Shark finning. www.en.wikipedia.org. Retrieved Sept 23, 2014.
14. Huff, Ethan A. (June 12, 2013). Meat scrap leftovers now being reprocessed into ice cream: The dismal future of food. www.naturalnews.com. Retrieved Sept 23, 2014.
15. Pesticide. www.en.wikipedia.org. Retrieved Sept 29, 2014.
16. Kopi Luwak. www.en.wikipedia.org. Retrieved Oct 9, 2014.
17. Associated Press (May 3, 2008) Runner-up Eight Belles breaks front ankles, euthanized on track. www.sports.espn.go.com. Retrieved Sept 23, 2014. 
18. Greyhound racing. www.en.wikipedia.org. Retrieved Sept 23, 2014.
19. Running of the Bulls. www.en.wikipedia.org. Retrieved Sept 23, 2014.
20. Ever wanted to ride an elephant? You have to watch this. www.youtube.com. Retrieved Oct 9, 2014.
21. Row over US mobile phone 'cockroach backpack' app. www.bbc.com. Nov 8, 2013. Retrieved Sept 23, 2014.
22. Puppy mill. www.en.wikipedia.org. Retrieved Sept 23, 2014.
23. Salkeld, Luke (Aug 19, 2013). It's a dog's life: Pets depressed because they are left home alone all day by working owners. www.dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved Sept 29, 2014.
24. Pet Marijuana Intoxication On The Rise. www.petpoisonhelpline.com. Retrieved Sept 29, 2014.
25. Dogs in Hot Cars. www.peta.org. Retrieved Sept 29, 2014.
26. Zoophilia. www.en.wikipedia.org. Retrieved Sept 23, 2014.
27. Golgowski, Nina (May 3, 2013). Kitten horrifically burned after being doused in gasoline and set alight is steadily recovering after losing both ears in the brutal attack. www.dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved Sept 29, 2014.
28. Cat shot 16 times with BB gun in 'heartbreaking' cruelty case. www.cbc.ca/news. May 19, 2014. Retrieved Sept 29, 2014.
29. Alvarado, Paula (Nov 3, 2010). 9 Everyday Products You Didn't Know Had Animal Ingredients. www.treehugger.com. Retrieved Sept 23, 2014.
30. Animal testing. www.en.wikipedia.org. Retrieved Sept 23, 2014.
31. Genetically modified mouse. www.en.wikipedia.org. Retrieved Sept 23, 2014.
32. Pavan, Gianni (2002) Effects of underwater noise on marine mammals. http://www-3.unipv.it Retrieved Sept 23, 2014.
33. Military dolphin. www.en.wikipedia.org. Retrieved Sept 23, 2014.
34. Bile bear. www.en.wikipedia.org. Retrieved Sept 23, 2014.
35. Canine cancer detection. www.en.wikipedia.org. Retrieved Sept 26, 2014.
36. Seizure response Dog. www.wikipedia.org. Retrieved Sept 26, 2014.
37. Oscar (therapy cat). www.en.wikipedia.org. Retrieved Sept 26, 2014.
38. Morelle, Rebecca (Aug 18, 2014). Elephant poaching deaths reach tipping point in Africa. www.bbc.com/news. Retrieved Sept 29, 2014.
39. Taxidermy. www.en.wikipedia.org. Retrieved Sept 23, 2014.
40. Detection dog. www.en.wikipedia.org. Retrieved Sept 23, 2014.
41. Roadkill statistics. www.hcn.org. Feb 7, 2005. Retrieved Sept 23, 2014.
42. Bond, Anthony (May 30, 2013). Four elephants killed when they are hit by a TRAIN speeding through the jungle. www.dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved Sept 23, 2014.
43. Bird strike. www.en.wikipedia.org. In 2003 in the USA, there were 4,300 bird strikes by the Air Force, 5,900 by civil aircraft, and with an estimated 80% unreported, the total estimate is 51,000 bird strikes. Retrieved Sept 23, 2014.
44. Pet Deaths In Airplanes Continue, Pressuring Airlines To Change Policy. www.huffingtonpost.com. 10/04/2012. Retrieved Sept 26, 2014.
45. Exxon Valdez oil spill. www.en.wikipedia.org. Retrieved Sept 23, 2014.
46. Frog mutations and genetic defects. www.en.wikipedia.org. Retrieved Sept 23, 2014.
47. Mercury in fish. www.en.wikipedia.org. Retrieved Sept 23, 2014.
48. Snyder, Michael (Aug 11, 2013) Why Are Millions of Fish Suddenly Dying in Mass Death Events All Over The Planet? www.thetruthwins.com. Retrieved Sept 23, 2014.
49. Brodwin, Erin (Oct 1, 2014). 35,000 Walruses Are All Crowded Together In One Spot - And It Signals Something Ominous. www.businessinsider.com. Retrieved Oct 3, 2014.
50. Lambourne, Helen (27 Mar 2005) Tsumani: Anatomy of a disaster. www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved Sept 26, 2014.
51. Honey Bees and Colony Collapse Disorder. www.ars.usda.gov. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). 9/8/2014. Retrieved Oct 9, 2014.

Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.

Daniel Pierce - Love Trumps Science And Religion

Edited Sept 8, 2014.

Daniel Pierce, a 19 Year old from Kennesaw, Georgia, USA, was disowned by his parents for being gay [1]. He initially told his family that he was gay in October 2013, but months later, on August 26, 2014, he came home from work to a delayed 'pray the gay away' [2] intervention that didn't go well.

WARNING: This YouTube video [3] contains graphic language and scenes of a violent nature. Viewer discretion is advised.

Here are my notes:

1. Love Transcends Science and Religion:
• Science isn't the answer and religion isn't the answer.
• Connection is the answer. We have to connect with each other in mutual bestowal where we all seek to benefit others instead of ourselves.
2. Selfishness:
• Today, we're all immersed in selfishness, seeking to benefit ourselves with no regard for others.
• A statement such as "I will not let people believe that I condone what you do" is about seeking to benefit oneself instead of others.
3. Parents Should Be Role Models:
• Parents have a big influence on their children and children pick up things that their parents say and do. Children learn from their parents' behaviour.
• Parents who disown their children - are they teaching their children that it's okay for parents to disown their children? Around the world, parents disown their children for many reasons - for being homosexual, for dishonoring the family, for marrying for love, for becoming Christians etc.
• Daniel's family is Christian. Would they be upset if they found out that another family had disowned their child for becoming a Christian?
• Daniel isn't perfect, no one is. Our social environment has a big influence on us. Has Daniel picked up his defensive behaviour from his family?
• Are Daniel's parents afraid that people might blame them? That people may think it's their fault?

We have to change from personal selfishness to mutual bestowal. We have to rise above our egos, stop harming others, then seek to benefit others instead of ourselves.

Remember, there is none else besides Him. Nothing bad has ever happened to us or to anybody else. We're surrounded by love, we just have to realize it. This may seem hard to believe given the graphic nature of this video. However, it's simply a matter of perception.

This doesn't mean that people have free license to do whatever they want. Not at all. In everything we do, we should seek to benefit others instead of ourselves.

Forget about everything else and just love. Love is when you seek to benefit others instead of yourself.

_________
References:

1. #BBCtrending: Disowned on video, gay teen speaks out. www.bbc.com. Retrieved Sept 7, 2014.
2. Conversion therapy. www.en.wikipedia.org. Retrieved Sept 8, 2014.
3. How not to react when your child tells you that he's gay. www.youtube.com. Retrieved Sept 7, 2014.

Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.

Abuse

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines abuse as, "to treat (a person or animal) in a harsh or harmful way." [1] We harm each other in two ways: Things we do intentionally to harm each other and things we don't do at all. Here are two examples:

1. Financial Abuse:
• Aggressive business practices intentionally harm others by exploiting and manipulation people for financial gain. Such practices include aggressive marketing practices, unreasonably high prices, unfairly low wages with limited benefits, compromised quality of goods and services etc. While a few people reap the rewards, many people suffer as a result, experiencing low quality of life, debt, stress, tension, unhappiness and emptiness because the things we buy don't fulfill us as promised.
2. Social Abuse:
• Social abuse comes from the things we don't do to help others. Through neglect, which comes from laziness and apathy, we harm others by not helping them when we can. Social abuse is systemic, and includes such things as poverty, disenfranchised communities, homelessness etc. Billions of people around the world do not have access to their basic human needs such as food, water, clothing, shelter, healthcare and education [2]. It's not because we don't have enough resources, it's because we're immersed in selfishness and don't have our priorities straight. We prioritize things such as war and conflict over making sure everyone has enough to eat and drink. We're negligent and apathetic and many people suffer as a result. Remember, we're all one family and we have to treat each other as family.

In everything we do, we should seek to benefit others instead of ourselves.

References:

1. Abuse. www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved Aug 27, 2014.
2. Our Basic Needs - A Snapshot Of The World. www.carterkagume.blogspot.ca. July 31, 2014. Retrieved Aug 28, 2014.

Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.

Live As Though You're Being Watched

We tend to behave differently if we think we're being watched. For example people pay may pick their nose in private but not in public. Or people may be abusive in private but not in public.

Live your life as though you're being watched. Behave in private as you would in public. We shouldn't have a private standard and a public standard. We should have one standard. In everything we do, we should seek to benefit others instead of ourselves.

Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.

Marijuana Harms Animals

Marijuana harms animals in terrible ways.

Animals, such as ants, bees, beetles, butterflies, even cats and dogs inhale second-hand smoke and because they're small creatures, the effect on them is pronounced. Not only that, but the effects can last longer because they have a harder time eliminating the toxins from their systems.

Sometimes, animals eat marijuana that's left around the house or outside, thinking it's an edible snack. Being high is a terrible, awful feeling for an animal.

If you're smoking in your house or outside, think about the effect you're having on the animals around you. It's not fair that your high becomes an animal's nightmare, that your pleasure becomes another's pain, that your gain becomes another's loss.

We live in an integrated system and we have to be mindful of the effect our actions have on those around us, including animals. In everything we do, we should seek to benefit others instead of ourselves.

Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.

Animal Abuse Has To Stop

Today we're all immersed in selfishness, seeking to benefit ourselves, with no regard for others, we have no regard for nature and we have no regard for animals.

The way we treat animals is cruel and abusive and we use them for our own selfish purposes.

Animal abuse is everywhere in our society, it's imbedded in our cultures, traditions and norms and we think it's acceptable when it's not.

Animal abuse is everywhere:  horseracing, rodeos, bull fighting, cock fighting, dog fighting, greyhound and dog racing, caged animals, chained animals, animals in zoos, animals in aquariums, animals in circuses, trained animals in the movies, animals in inhumane pet stores, animal mills, animal testing, animals are experimented upon, animals are used for food and some are subjected to extremely cruel treatment, animals are used in war, some animals are killed to make jewelry e.g. ivory, some animals are killed for their fur, animals are neglected, animals are physically abused, animals are dressed up for people's amusement etc. It's a long miserable list, and this is the face of humanity today.

We use animals to make money, for gambling, for food, for clothing, for jewelry, for status, for entertainment, for competition, for sports, for work, for transportation etc. We don't think about the animals, we think only of ourselves.















For example, why dress up animals, when it's obvious they don't like it, when instead, you can spend your time, energy, effort and money helping other animals in need. When people dress up their animals, they don't think about their animals, they think only of themselves.

When people are wealthy and/or bored, they start doing strange selfish things, harming themselves and animals.  When people harm animals, they don't think about the animals, they think only of themselves.

Animals are emotional creatures and just like human beings they sense when they're being mistreated.

• Human beings don't like being mistreated and animals don't like being mistreated.
• Human beings don't want to be subjected to cruel abusive treatment and animals don't want to be subjected to cruel abusive treatment.
• Human beings respond positively to kindness and animals also respond positively to kindness.
• Human beings want to live in a loving environment and animals want to live in a loving environment.
• Human beings want to be free to be human beings and animals want to be free to be animals.

Animals aren't just animals, they're emotional creatures just like you and me. In some ways, animals are closer to nature than we are because they sense certain phenomenon in nature that we don't.

In everything we do, even in the way we treat animals, we should seek to benefit others instead of ourselves. We should protect all life on earth, including animals.

Animals have every right to be on the face of this planet. This planet doesn't just belong to human beings. It belongs to all life on earth.

Nature is an integral system that includes rocks, plants, animals and human beings. We don't own nature, we're a part of nature and we have begin to behave accordingly.

We are all one family, and all life on earth is a part of that family. We have to respect one another and we have to respect all life on earth.

Perception of Reality

Perception of reality is the world you perceive with your five senses - sight, sound, smell, taste and touch.

You can go through a change in the perception of your reality, meaning you can perceive a new reality. The new reality was always there, you just didn't perceive it at first.

It's like a 3D stereograph picture. At first all you see is a fuzzy image, then you see a 3D image. The 3D image was always there, you just didn't perceive it at first.

Perception of reality is connected to our internal qualities.

When you're in the quality of selfishness (seeking to benefit yourself), you perceive one reality. When you're in the quality of bestowal/love of others/altruism (seeking to benefit others instead of yourself), you perceive a new reality.

Only God Himself can change your internal qualities from selfishness to bestowal. Only God Himself can open your eyes for you to see the new perception of reality.

FIRST PERCEPTION OF REALITY

In your first perception of reality, you perceive a simple world. You're not aware of your internal qualities or the idea of perception of reality. You simply live your life.

The truth is that you're immersed in selfishness, seeking to benefit yourself and you assume everyone is like you. You see a selfish world with a survival of the fittest mentality.

You seek personal profit and gain by competing against others, using, exploiting, abusing, mistreating, and harming others in the process.

You think only of yourself with no regard for others as you seek to fulfill yourself with the pleasures of this world - food, sex, family, money, honor, knowledge and power.

The pleasures of this world are fleeting, they are a bottomless pit. No matter how much you try to fill yourself, you remain strangely empty, unfulfilled. Something is still missing.

Leaving The First Perception Of Reality

Leaving the first perception of reality is connected to leaving the quality of selfishness.

When you've exhausted all the pleasures of this world and nothing fulfills you anymore, you begin to despair. Send a heartfelt cry to The Creator and ask God Himself to help you.

Only God Himself can change your qualities from selfishness to bestowal; He is the only one who can open your eyes to perceive the new reality.

A CHANGE IN THE PERCEPTION OF YOUR REALITY

When your internal qualities begin to change from selfishness to bestowal, your perception of reality also changes.

In your first perception, you perceived one reality. In your new perception you perceive many realities, even contradictory realities, all at the same time.

As your quality of bestowal grows, your perception of reality also grows, you're able to perceive more new things. As your own perception changes, your reality also changes.

Here are some of the things you perceive when you go through a change in the perception of your reality. Some are contradictory and some may seem a little strange.

They're not listed in any order, the information is provided to give insight into what you perceive when you go through a change in the perception of your reality.

1. You Perceive The Quality Of Selfishness Itself

When you first go through a change in the perception of your reality, you perceive the quality of selfishness itself. You see it in yourself .You see how selfish you really are.

You're shocked because you realize how cruel you are and how badly you've been treating other people. This pains you and you want to change, to stop harming others.

2. You Perceive The Quality of Bestowal Itself

When you first go through a change in the perception of your reality, you perceive the quality of bestowal itself. You see it in others.

You're shocked because you perceive that others can read your thoughts and desires. You thought your life was private but it feels as though everyone knows your business.

You perceive that other people are seeking to benefit you and you're seeking to benefit yourself. This pains you and you want to change, to be like them.

3. You're Not Who You Thought You Were

When you first go through a change in the perception of your reality, you're shocked because you perceive that your thoughts manifest in this reality. You're a creator. In your first perception, you felt isolated from the world, now you create everything in it.

Then as you grow, you perceive that you don't own your own thoughts, desires, emotions, etc., you're operated from above. You're not the one creating anything.

Who exactly are you? First you were isolated from the world, then you became a creator, now you're simply operated from above. You're confused about who you really are.

4. The People Around You Aren't Who You Thought They Were

It's difficult to adjust to this perception because it affects your family and friends. Your mother isn't your mother, your brother isn't your brother, your father isn't your father etc.
 
Nobody is who you thought they were. You don't know who they are, they're just not who you thought they were. They're strangers and you're confused.

5. You Create The World Around You

You realize that you're a creator, you create the world around you. Your thoughts and desires manifest in this reality. However, so far, everything you've created has been rooted in selfishness, you've created a selfish world.

You've been using, exploiting, abusing, and harming others, selfishly seeking personal profit and gain. This pains you and you want to change, to stop creating a selfish world.

6. You Don't Create The World Around You

As you grow, you perceive that you and everyone around you is operated from above. Human beings don't do anything, we're all operated from above.

If you're aware of this system, then you're operated with your permission and you actively engage in the system. If you're not aware of the system, then you're operated without your permission. Either way, we're all operated from above.

7. The World Represents Your Internal Qualities

As your perception grows, you perceive that everything in the world (people, animals, trees, rocks etc.) represents forces within you and tells the story of your internal qualities, how you'll change from selfishness to bestowal.

You perceive a main arc story (that encompasses all of creation and all of history) and sub-stories. Like fractals, everywhere you look, you see the story of your internal qualities.

If you hate anything outside of yourself, you actually hate yourself, because everything outside of you represents forces within you. In this way we're interconnected because you and the world you see outside of you are one and the same.

8. You're The Only Person In Selfishness, Everyone Else Is In Bestowal

As you grow in the quality of bestowal, the forces in your environment show you how you're still immersed in selfishness and in this way you learn and grow.

You feel as though you're the only person who's different, everyone else is 100% in bestowal. This makes you want to change, to be 100% in bestowal.

9. You're The Only Person In Bestowal, Everyone Else Is In Selfishness

You perceive that others are immersed in selfishness and you're the only person in bestowal. The whole world depends on you and you want to help them leave selfishness.

It pains you to see the consequences of selfishness: the suffering in the world, people chasing the fleeting pleasures of this world yet remain unfulfilled and people hurting others, animals and nature.

It pains you to think of how people may suffer when the truth is revealed to them and they see how selfish they've been. For everyone's sake, you want selfish behaviour to stop.

10. Things Are What They Seem

There are many negative things in this world - starvation, poverty, disease, etc. They exist because we're all immersed in selfishness, seeking to benefit ourselves instead of others.

People die of starvation because we feed only ourselves, people live in poverty because we seek riches only for ourselves, people die of disease because we care only for ourselves, etc.

The House Of Selfishness

The quality of bestowal (seeking to benefit others) is governed by God and the quality of selfishness (seeking to benefit oneself) is governed by the devil. We used to be in the quality of bestowal, but we fell into selfishness and now we're immersed in selfishness.

Some people complain, "If there's a God how could He let horrible things happen?" Horrible things happen because we moved out of God's house (the quality of bestowal) and our current landlord, the devil (the quality of selfishness), doesn't care about anyone or anything.

However, God is still in control because there is none else besides Him. He still loves us, cares for us and protects us. His love for us is revealed in how He uses negative things to means something positive.

Some people complain, "If God is Almighty, He can fix anything He wants." True. However, God is a Being of law and order, He respects freedom of choice and He has His own purposes for allowing things to happen.

When our internal qualities change from selfishness to bestowal, we'll move back into God's house and all negative things will disappear because we'll build a new world based on the quality of bestowal.

We Learn Through Opposites

One of the reasons God allows us to be in selfishness is because we learn through opposites: you know hot if you know cold, you know love if you know hate, you know unity if you know loneliness, you know bestowal if you know selfishness.

First we're exposed to the negative attributes, then we're exposed to the positive attributes.

In this way, you learn two things about God: Who He is and who He is not. He's not the quality of selfishness (seeking to benefit oneself). He's the quality of bestowal (seeking to benefit others).

Our True Potential

The greater our selfishness, the greater our potential in bestowal. While it's hard to see people immersed in selfishness, it's for their own good.

People need to realize their full potential in selfishness in order to realize their full potential in bestowal. In this way, let God do His work to perfect His Creation.

11. Things Are Not What They Seem

We used to be in the quality of bestowal, but our qualities changed and we fell into selfishness. Now we're in the quality of selfishness returning to bestowal.

There are many negative things in the world - starvation, poverty, disease, etc. When it comes to our internal qualities, a double meaning exists - one in bestowal and one in selfishness.

For example, you can murder the quality of bestowal, which is a negative thing because it separates us from God. You can murder the quality of selfishness, which is a positive thing because it connects us to God. A negative thing (murder) has a positive meaning.

I'm not saying people should engage in negative behaviour, I'm saying that in His infinite wisdom and love, God turns negative things into something positive.

The phrase "... eye for eye, tooth for tooth..." (Exodus 21:24, NKJV) comes from this concept: a quality of bestowal is destroyed and became a quality of selfishness, that quality of selfishness has to be destroyed to become a quality of bestowal again.

Here are some examples of negative things that have positive meanings starting with some of the 10 commandments:

Honor Your Father and Mother

Originally, we were in bestowal, honoring our father and mother in the quality of bestowal. Then our qualities began to change and we dishonored our father and mother in bestowal and fell into selfishness. Dishonoring parents has a negative meaning because we became separated from God.

Now we're immersed in selfishness. As our qualities begin to change back to bestowal, we need to dishonor our father and mother in the quality of selfishness. Dishonoring parents has a positive meaning because we're returning to God.

Once we're back in bestowal we'll keep the law, we'll honor our father and mother in the quality of bestowal, meaning we'll stay in bestowal and not return to selfishness.

You Shall Not Murder

Originally, we were in bestowal and didn't murder the quality of bestowal. Then our qualities began to change and we murdered the quality of bestowal and fell into selfishness. Murder has a negative meaning because we became separated from God.

Jesus said, "You are of Your father the devil ... he was a murderer from the beginning ..." (John 8:44, NKJV), meaning the devil murdered the quality of bestowal.

Now we're immersed in selfishness. As our qualities begin to change back to bestowal, we need to murder the quality of selfishness. Murder has a positive meaning because we're returning to God.

Once we're back in bestowal we'll keep the law, we shall not murder the quality of bestowal, meaning we'll stay in bestowal and not return to selfishness.

You Shall Not Commit Adultery

Originally, we were in bestowal and didn't commit adultery with the quality of selfishness. Then our qualities began to change and we committed adultery with the quality of selfishness. As such, we fell into selfishness. Adultery has a negative meaning because we became separated from God.

Now we're immersed in selfishness. As our qualities begin to change back to bestowal, we need to commit adultery with the quality of bestowal. Adultery has a positive meaning because we're returning to God.

Once we're back in bestowal we'll keep the law, we shall not commit adultery with the quality of selfishness, meaning we'll stay in the quality of bestowal.

You Shall Not Steal

Originally we were in bestowal and we didn't steal from the quality of bestowal to use pleasures in a selfish way. Then our qualities began to change and we stole from the quality of bestowal and used pleasures in a selfish way. As such, we fell into selfishness. Stealing has a negative meaning because we became separated from God.

Jesus said, "The thief does not come except to steal (from bestowal), and to kill (bestowal) and to destroy (bestowal)." (John 10:10, NKJV) This reference of a thief has a negative meaning.

Now we're immersed in selfishness. As our qualities begin to change back to bestowal, we need to steal from the quality of selfishness and use pleasures in an altruistic way. Stealing has a positive meaning because we're returning to God.

Jesus said, "The thief does not come except to steal (from selfishness), and to kill (selfishness) and to destroy (selfishness). I have come that they have may have life (bestowal) ..." (John 10:10, NKJV). Jesus is saying that he's come to steal from selfishness and return us to God, the quality of bestowal.

Jesus said, "But know this, that if the master of the house (of selfishness) had known what hour the thief (who wants to steal from selfishness) would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house (of selfishness) to be broken into." (Matthew 24:43, NKJV) Meaning Jesus wants to steal from selfishness and return to God and the quality of bestowal.

Jesus said, "I will come upon you like a thief..." (Revelations 3:3, NKJV), meaning He'll steal from the quality of selfishness and return us to God, the quality of bestowal.

Once we're back in bestowal we'll keep the law, we shall not steal from the quality of bestowal, meaning we'll stay in bestowal and not return to selfishness.

"As for the thief (who steals from our ability to advance in bestowal), the male and the female, amputate their hands (cut off, stop being in the quality that doesn't want to advance in bestowal) in recompense for what they committed as a deterrent [punishment] from Allah." (Quran 5:38, Sahih)

This verse from the Quran is controversial because people think it says you should cut off peoples hands. It's talking about our internal qualities, how we should cut off those desires that don't want to advance in bestowal. It's not saying peoples hands should be cut off.

You Shall Not Bear False Witness Against Your Neighbour

Originally, we were in bestowal and we didn't lie to ourselves that the quality of selfishness was better than bestowal. Then our qualities began to change and we began to lie to ourselves that selfishness was better than bestowal, so we fell into selfishness. Lying has a negative meaning because we became separated from God.

Jesus said, "You are of Your father the devil ... there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources for he is a liar and the father of it." (John 8:44, NKJV) Meaning the devil lied about the quality of selfishness, that it was better than the quality of bestowal. Take a look at the world around you and see the consequences of the quality of selfishness.

Now we're immersed in selfishness. As our qualities begin to change back to bestowal, we need to lie to ourselves that the quality of bestowal is better than selfishness. We need to lie to ourselves because we don't believe it because we're immersed in selfishness. Lying has a positive meaning because it's actually the truth and we're returning to God.

Once we're back in bestowal we'll keep the law, we shall not bear false witness against our neighbour and lie to ourselves that the quality of selfishness is better than bestowal, meaning we'll stay in bestowal.

You Shall Not Covet Your Neighbour's Belongings

Originally, we were in bestowal and we didn't covet the quality of selfishness. Then our qualities began to change and we began to covet the quality of selfishness and fell into it. Coveting has a negative meaning because we became separated from God.

Now we're immersed in selfishness. As our qualities begin to change back to bestowal, we need to covet the quality of bestowal and return to it. Coveting has a positive meaning because we're returning to God.

Once we're back in bestowal we'll keep the law, we shall not covet our neighbour's belongings, we won't covet the quality of selfishness, we'll stay in bestowal.

Here are more examples of how negative things can mean something positive:

Disease

Disease is everywhere, in people, animals, plants and nature. Disease that kills the quality of bestowal is negative, disease that kills the quality of selfishness is positive.

Now that we're returning to God, it means disease is killing the quality of selfishness, telling a positive story of our internal qualities. Even medication tells the story of our internal qualities.

For example, if someone dies of cancer, a selfish internal quality called 'cancer' dies, a positive meaning with respect to our internal qualities because it means we're returning to God.

This may seem very strange because nobody likes to get sick, yet if you perceive the true meaning, it's no longer a negative event, it's a positive one.

I'm not saying that people should get sick, not at all, because when we're in perfect bestowal there's no disease. I'm saying that in His infinite wisdom and love, God uses negative things to mean something positive.

War

This world has seen a lot of war. War that kills the quality of bestowal is negative, war that kills the quality of selfishness is positive.

Now that we're returning to God, war means we're fighting the quality of selfishness in order to return to the quality of bestowal. It tells a positive story of our internal qualities.

Jesus said, "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword." Meaning, Jesus came to fight to be in the quality of bestowal. (Matthew 10:34, NKJV)

I'm not saying that people should engage in war or combat, not at all, because when we're in perfect bestowal there's no war. I'm saying that in His infinite wisdom and love, God uses negative things to mean something positive.

The only war you should fight is the war against your internal quality of selfishness. The only arms you should bear are arms that fight your internal quality of selfishness.

Physical Abuse

Some people are physically abused. Physical abuse against the quality of bestowal is negative, physical abuse against the quality of selfishness is positive.

Now that we're returning to God, physical abuse means that the quality of bestowal is harming the quality of selfishness. It tells a positive story of our internal qualities.

For example, if a father beats his daughter, it means the quality of bestowal subjugates the quality of selfishness, a positive thing.

I'm not saying that people should beat each other, not at all, because when we're in perfect bestowal there's no abuse of any kind. I'm saying that in His infinite wisdom and love, God uses negative things to mean something positive.

Sexual Abuse

Some people are sexually abused. Sexual abuse against the quality of bestowal is negative, sexual abuse against the quality of selfishness is positive.

Now that we're returning to God, sexual abuse means the quality of selfishness is subjugated by the quality of bestowal, telling a positive story of our internal qualities.

For example, if a man sexually abuses a woman, it means the quality of bestowal subjugates the quality of selfishness, a positive thing.

I'm not saying that people should sexually abuse each other, not at all, because when we're in perfect bestowal there's no abuse of any kind. I'm saying that in His infinite wisdom and love, God uses negative things to mean something positive.

Incest

Some people have an incestuous relationship. Incest in the quality of selfishness is negative, incest in the quality of bestowal is positive.

Currently, we're immersed in selfishness sleeping with the family of selfishness. We have to leave the quality of selfishness for bestowal and start sleeping with the family of bestowal, a positive thing because it means we're returning to God.

For example, if a father sleeps with his daughter, it means the quality of bestowal subjugates the quality of selfishness, a positive thing.

I'm not saying that people should sleep with their family members, not at all, because when we're in perfect bestowal, no harm comes to anybody. I'm saying that in His infinite wisdom and love, God uses negative things to mean something positive.

Rape

Some people are raped. Rape against the quality of bestowal is negative, rape against the quality of selfishness is positive.

Now that we're returning to God, rape means the quality of selfishness is forced to convert to the quality of bestowal, telling a positive story of our internal qualities.

For example, if a woman is forced to have sex, it means the quality of selfishness is forced to become a quality of bestowal, a positive thing.

I'm not saying that people should rape each other, not at all, because when we're in perfect bestowal there's no rape. I'm saying that in His infinite wisdom and love, God uses negative things to mean something positive.

Slavery

Some people were/are slaves. Slavery in the quality of selfishness is negative, slavery in the quality of bestowal is positive.

Now that we're returning to God, slavery means we leave the quality of selfishness and become slaves to the quality of bestowal. This tells a positive story of our internal qualities.

I'm not saying that people should have slaves, not at all, because when we're in perfect bestowal no harm comes to anybody. I'm saying that in His infinite wisdom and love, God uses negative things to mean something positive.

Divorce

Divorce rates are very high today. Divorcing the quality of bestowal is negative, divorcing the quality of selfishness is positive.

Now that we're returning to God, we're divorcing the quality of selfishness and connecting with the quality of bestowal. This tells a positive story of our internal qualities.

I'm not saying people should get divorced, not at all, because when we're in perfect bestowal, there's no divorce. I'm saying that in His infinite wisdom and love, God uses negative things to mean something positive.

Adoption

Some people are adopted. Being adopted into the quality of selfishness is a negative thing, being adopted into the quality of bestowal is a positive thing.

Now that we're returning to God, adoption means that we're being adopted into the quality of bestowal. This tells a positive story of our internal qualities.

I'm not saying people should abandon their children, not at all, because when we're in perfect bestowal, no harm comes to anybody. I'm saying that in His infinite wisdom and love, God uses negative things to mean something positive.

Baldness

Even something as simple as baldness can be scrutinized. Some people are bald, and it may seem like a negative thing. Baldness refers to the quality of bestowal, a positive thing.

All these examples show that things are not always what they seem. In His infinite love and wisdom, God uses negative things to mean something positive.

The Truth Shall Set You Free

Jesus said, "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32, NKJV)

Meaning, people who are negatively affected by negative things such as murder, adultery, stealing, lying, coveting, disease, war, physical abuse, sexual abuse, incest, rape, slavery, divorce, adoption, and any other negative thing should understand that negative things have positive meanings.

Once you understand this, the negative thing no longer oppresses you, it no longer affects you the way it did before. The negative thing becomes something positive. This truth sets you free.

Also, the truth (the quality of bestowal) shall set your free from the quality of selfishness. The quality of selfishness is called a lie.

12. You Perceive Forces Trying To Bring You To God

You perceive that you're surrounded by angels. People, animals, plants, everything around you is an angel.

You perceive forces that set good examples, show you how to benefit others, teach you about love and bestowal and try to bring you back to God and the quality of bestowal.

13. You Perceive Forces Trying to Keep You From God

You perceive forces that set bad examples, tempt you, trick you, distract you, confuse you and try to keep you from God and the quality of bestowal.

You know these are 'tests' meant to make you stronger and bring you closer to God.

Jesus said to his trusted disciple Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan!" (Matthew 16:23, NKJV), indicating He was able to perceive certain things.

14. You Perceive God and Intelligent Design

You perceive God in everything - people, animals, plants, rocks, places, names, numbers, languages, religions, cultures, races, etc., everything has purpose and meaning.

Everything is interconnected and operates as one system and everything is layered in meaning and has multiple purposes. Everything is organized, orchestrated, and happens by design.

Nothing happens by chance. There is no such thing as a coincidence.

God arranges it so that we help each other and teach each other. Sometimes you perceive that you're being taught by others, sometimes you perceive that you're teaching others.

You're not intentionally doing anything yourself, you just perceive that you're part of a system that's being operated from above.

15. You Perceive One System

You perceive that everything is interconnected and interdependent, people, animals, plants, rocks and all of nature operate as one system.

Our selfish, destructive and harmful behaviour affects the system in a negative way. As such, we're hurting ourselves because we're harming the system that we're a part of. It's like hurting a part of your own body.

If we change our ways from selfishness to concern for others and we seek to benefit others instead of ourselves, we'll enter into harmony and balance with each other, with all of nature and with the entire system.

16. You Perceive The Creator and Creation

You perceive two forces: The Creator (male) and creation (female). The Creator is the force of giving and creation is the force of receiving. The Creator fulfills the desires of creation.

You perceive that creation expresses her desires to The Creator, then The Creator fulfills her. In this way, The Creator and creation are interconnected as one. Male and Female are united as one, they create together.

17. You Perceive Infinity

You perceive that there are many worlds and you move from one world to another based on some unknown reason. There are subtle differences between the worlds, but the differences are definitely there.

You perceive that there are many me's and many you's, many Leo's (my neighbour's dog), many everything's. There's not just one me and one you.

When you interact with people you know, you're able to discern the subtle differences in the personality and physiology of the many them's.

This can be very confusing because you never know which 'one' you're going to be interacting with. It's like what Forrest Gump said, "Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get."

SUMMARY

Perception of reality is connected to our internal qualities.

When you're in the quality of selfishness (seeking to benefit yourself), you perceive one reality.

When you're in the quality of bestowal (seeking to benefit others instead of yourself), you perceive a new reality where many realities, even contradictory realities, exist all at the same time.

Only God Himself can change your internal qualities from selfishness to bestowal and open your eyes to see a new perception of reality.

Perception of reality may seem complicated and confusing; however, it's quite simple. We're returning to God and that's all that matters.

Copyright © 2013, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.