My Diary ..... Little Tweaks to our Service can make all the Difference. ... What Legacy Are We Leaving For Future Generations? ... God’s Incredible Gift”

         

                                                             My Diary 

October.

1^st –  A journey to the east coast and Arbroath Spiritualist Centre...

6^th – There was a good turnout at the Ascension Spiritualist Church, Maryhill Community Centre, Glasgow.

9^th – A short journey to the Shining Light Spiritualist Church, Knightswood Community Centre, Glasgow,

25^th –  I always look forward to my annual visit to the Largs Spiritualist Church.

27^th – There is seldom an empty seat in the Coatbridge Spiritualist Church.

30^th – Unfortunately a health problem stopped me attending the Angel Light Spiritualist Church Govanhill Neighbourhood Community Centre, Glasgow.

November...

5^th – It is always a pleasure to serve the SSK Spiritualist Church, Dreghorn, North Ayrshire.

8^th – 10^{th -} My three days at the Glasgow Central, Spiritual Church, 64 Berkley Street, Glasgow was cut to two days after the nasty virus that made me cancel a service in October returned.

    

                       Little Tweaks to our Service can make all the Difference.


I have taken many services at the Glasgow Association of Spiritualists (SNU) over the years, but I felt that the Monday evening service of the 24/11/15 was that bit extra special.  Why?  Two small changes to the usual format fairly raised the energies within the Church, giving a closer link with Spirit and involving the congregation in the Service.

1 ... The congregation being asked to shake hands with those sitting close to them in the church. 

2 ... The medium shaking hands with the congregation as they left the church.   

Neither of these two changes is new to Spiritualism, but within my experience is only practised in a few churches.  The congregation being given the time to welcome each other has been ongoing at ASK Cumbernauld since its opened almost ten years ago.  Greeting those sitting close to you I feel plays a big part in this Church having a reputation of being an extremely welcoming venue on a Tuesday evening. 

The Medium shaking hands with everyone as they leave the Church is something that I have experienced only at Kilmarnock Spiritualist Church. (SNU)..  I feel that that it makes the evening that little bit special for both the medium and the congregation.
We often discuss congregational participation in the service, but seldom try to put it in action.

                               What Legacy Are We Leaving For Future Generations?

I constantly wonder what our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents think of the way we live today, how we have shaped the world we live in. They came through two World Wars and had little of what we take for granted today.  Yet their sacrifices seem to have been in vain.  Our young men and women are still losing their lives and limbs in armed conflicts around the world.  Atrocities seem to be getting worse as each year passes and the only way we feel we can react to them is with bombing from the air.  Yes, there may be times when such action has to be taken, but surely after all other avenues are exhausted and a plan for what happens after the bombing has been worked out.  Too much of what is happening at the moment has been caused by airstrikes and leaving a void for the most vile people and groups to fill.

I can just imagine both my grandfathers and father saying “Why is it OK for our bombs to kill innocent people, but not the enemy doing the same thing?  Why do you call certain countries your friends and yet they are committing similar atrocities as those you look on as the enemy?”  We are running around in circles on the international scene making situations worse.  There certainly is a big problem with migrants, but whatever our views we should remember that each person escaping the ravages of war is a human being.

When young I was proud to be British, thankful to have been born in Britain and not first saw the light of day in a Communist or Third World country.  That is not my view today.  I realize that I was looking at my country through rose tinted spectacles.  The massive abuse of children by those in power and those in the limelight being covered up.  I feel that those who were part of the cover-ups are equally to blame as those who committed those terrible deeds.  Yes, they will be judged when they enter the spirit world, but I would have liked them to be brought to justice here first.

The most used phrase in our seat of government the House of Commons is “My Honourable Lady/Gentleman”.   Yet how honourable are these ladies and gentlemen who run all aspects of our life and country.  My opinion is too many follow the party-line instead of speaking up or voting against their party when the genuinely feel the need arises.  One wonders if they are putting their career before the good of their constituents and country.  We need those in power to think more about Spiritualism’s 

5^th Principle “Personal responsibility” before making up their minds on important issues.

I often wonder if my grandfather felt it was worth losing a leg at seventeen-years of age in WWI with what we have become today.  Also my father and his father working double shifts both during the war to supply the coal to keep our nation ticking over.  What do you think your forefathers will be thinking of the country/world today?

                                             

After “Discovering the Benefits of Nature by Accident” in my previous blog,  here is “God’s Incredible Gift”  which I put on-line a year or so ago.

It is said that God has blessed his children with so many incredible gifts, and flowers are among the most precious. Like the humans He created, there are so many different colours, shapes, scents and sizes of flowers. From birth to death and so many occasions in between we commemorate so much with flowers.  . Flowers are sent with love and are greatly received.  To receive such a gift we know that someone cares for us.   The advert slogan “Say it with flowers” is very apt.

Both my grandfathers liked gardening and both in different ways. With one grandfather my memories are of immaculately cut and shaped privet hedge around the front garden and lawn was like a bowling green. When it came to flowers he only grew geraniums and with only red blooms.  I wonder if at this time one could only get geraniums in red?

My other grandfather did not have a lot of room in his small walled back garden, but with what space he had he used the growing area to its full potential.  He really enjoyed cultivating flowers. His main interest was unusual varieties.  When he did grow  a common species he always went for the least popular colours with them.  Three things that stand out in my mind... Someone brought him a plant from the Middle East and it was said that it only flowered once every seven years. He had it for countless years and yet only flowered the summer before he passed over to spirit. He loved experimenting with flowers and he was trying to breed a blue or black tulip. He never succeeded, but here again he got a little closer to his dream.  The spring before he passed a dark tulip bloomed in his beloved garden.  Nowhere near black, but I remember him saying “Finally I am going in the right direction”. He was also looking towards breeding a blue rose.  God’s blessing certainly gave both my grandfathers so much enjoyment. 

Someone said to me recently “Your grandfather (The one who experimented with colours) was born before his time - just think of how he would marvel at the countless new hybrids flowers with such vivid colours we have today”. I thought on this and I don’t think my grandfather would be too happy with the way things are going as far as the commercialism of flowers is concerned. I think we may be taking things too far as far as interfering with the colours and producing so many varieties that have no scent. . My grandfather was working in his own little way to add another colour or shade to a species of flower in a natural way.  I believe that man has interfered too much with God’s ‘little angels and that is showing in so many different ways. This it is beginning to tell as there are those among us who find that the relaxation, peace and tranquility they got through flowers is now waning.

Jane has never been in good health since she was born and she always felt she was blessed by having a father and then husband who was interested in gardening.  Especially as both concentrated on flowers rather than vegetables.  . As a child and through her married life Jane on a good day could always sit out in the garden relaxing and admiring the flowers. Both father and husband always had flowers in bloom every month of the year. Sadly her husband past away five years ago and although her son has as strong an interest in gardening he has brought in so many new variants of flowers, some that have vivid colours. Life in Jane’s beloved garden is now not the same. She says many of the colours are harsh on her eyes.  Instead of being relaxed like in the past the vivid colours give her a headache and even bring on a migraine at times.   Plus few have the scent like they did in the past.

That is not just one off the case with someone who does not like change I have heard similar things from others about interference with flowers taking the enjoyment away.

Muriel helps out with a voluntary group, visiting people who through many reasons cannot get out and about. A long time ago she thought on giving a little gift of flowers on each visit and they were gratefully accepted.  But as Muriel’s visiting list grew she could not afford a bunch of flowers for everyone.  So today at each visit she leaves three, two or even a single flower.  .  All used to look forward to this little gift even the men she visited.  One of Muriel’s colleagues said one day “it is not only that they appreciate the flowers, they seem to calm them, they are more relaxed looking at the flowers”.  There came a period when Muriel noticed that the flowers were not having the same calming effect for those she took so much time for. One day an old lady who was still alert said “The flowers you bring me these days are not the same as the ones in the past.  I don’t think I like flowers now”.  Muriel though this over but had not a clue what the old soul was on about. Then it dawned on her – for the past year she was buying those dyed flowers from supermarkets again some vivid and some not natural colours for the particular species.  She thought it would be a change and a change it was – the flowers were not having the same effect.   Muriel changed back to bunches of flowers with natural colours where possible flowers that had still retained their scent.  Now those she visits are back to enjoying God’s little gift – God’s little Angels...

 I heard on the radio recently a lady say that had had to care for some difficult people and she had found out by accident how to give them a little relaxation and peace of mind.  In summer she takes them to a walled garden that has only old fashioned varieties of flowers and meadow flowers.  The natural colours and the scent seemed to completely change those in her charge’s nature for a few hours.    It was never the same when she took them to gardens in the local parks.

We were given free will and the intelligence to change what is around us, but not to change for the sake of change. We must not destroy the goodness of what we are trying to change.  Man’s record so far is not good in this respect.  Look at the suffering of animals because we have changed their structure to produce more milk, eggs and meat.  Although some of us may not be too aware of the changes to flowers the most vulnerable in our society do notice - and it is they for whom we should not destroy the goodness of God’s Little Angels.

My Diary... Diiscovering the Benefits of Nature by Accident ... Many will rush to help - but not all is not accepted... ... A comment from Dorothy ... Taken from Facebook...

                                                            My Diary...

September...

6^th – The Friendship of Love and Light Spiritualist Church, Foxbar, Paisley.

8^th -  ASK, Neilston.

10^th –  “Understanding the Basics of your Psychic Abilities”. Kilmarnock Spiritualist Church (SNU)

13^th – Dunfermline Spiritualist Church (SNU) Lady Campbell Walk, Dunfermline.

20^th – ASK, Touch Community Centre, Dunfermline.

26^th - Workshop and lecture at the Arbroath Spiritualist Church. (SNU)

28^th – Cumnock Spiritualist Church.

30^th – Dunoon Spiritualist Church.

                            Rediscovering the Benefits of Nature by Accident.

As the summer flowers start to fade and disappear the new season – autumn – brings new colour with leaves turning various shades of red, yellow, purple, orange, and, brown, yellow, yellow-green, and even purple.  Winter can be just as colourful if one plants the right sort of plant that will be in bloom until the spring snowdrop, crocus and daffodil takes over.

John had two neighbours on either side of him who suffered from severe depression, one not going out and the other only leaving home to go shopping.  They only time they would have a lengthy conversation with John when they would talk about the flowers in his garden during the summer.  So as John had more time on his hands when he retired he tried a little experiment.  He tried to have flowers in bloom in his garden all the year round.  Not only flowers to provide the colour, but plant bushes which would have a display of brightly coloured leaves and berries during the winter months.

John was amazed how well his little experiment worked.  He would chatter away to him on a regular basis and he would see them standing outside admiring the flowers.  John decided to take his little idea stage further and putting tubs with flowers in his neighbour’s gardens much to their delight.  Every season he replaced the plants much to the delight of his neighbours.  Both neighbours are getting out and about more and although John is not taking all the praise in their change he admits as well as their GP’s and medication his efforts have given them a better quality of life.  One man being aware of the change in nature of his neighbours while showing interest in his flowers.   Then with time on his hand using his talents to help those less fortunate than himself.  Once again we see how nature and colour can be of great benefit to us – something that many overlook these days. 

In my next blog I will print another situation where flowers help those in need – as long as man does not interfere.

                       Many Will Rush to Help - But Not all Help Will be Accepted.

I was listing to a phone-in on the radio and most who called in were agreeing that we lived in an uncaring society with people only caring for themselves  and would not lift a hand to help anyone in need.  Totally wrong in my book as we only have to look at the vast  sums raised in this country for charity and the amount of volunteers helping the vulnerable in society.

Three hours later I was looking out the window of a restaurant when I saw an elderly lady fall giving her head a real clatter off the pavement.  Before I could get out of my chair, cars were stopping and pedestrians were running to help the old soul.  A week later we were in holiday in England and Isabel – my wife - fell.  No sooner had Isabel hit the ground than people were rushing to help.  We do live in a caring society maybe it is not noticeable until something serious happens.

But, another side of trying to be a Good Samaritan is not always accepted.  In between the two falls I have mentioned I saw a lady lying flat out on the pavement with two ladies standing over her, one on a mobile phone.  I spotted this while driving around the bend of a busy road with double yellow lines so I could not immediately stop the car.  Once I got safely parked I ran back and it was made very clear by the two women that I was not needed and to go away.  They then started trying to get the other lady back on her feet and another passerby and I offered to help and again we were told quite abruptly we were not needed.  I took it to be that the lady on the ground was in a tantrum and the other two were her carers.  If these two ladies carry on like this, they may find no help forth coming when they really need some assistance.  

                                                  A comment from Dorothy Byrne..

Yes - it is sad when ego gets in the way and spirituality becomes just a trendy term! Sadly I have watched this happen too many times!

I agree 100% Dorothy.  To be fair there is an easy answer to this.  Those who want to be famous and make financial gains from their ‘gift' should do so without the aid of our church platforms.  Too many use our church platforms as a springboard to achieve their aim and then return if their financial gains are on the wane.  It is time church committees took notice of this and did not book those for services who don't have our religion first and foremost in their heart.  I know I will be criticized or my comments, but it is hard for many to accept spiritualism seriously as a religion as long as this sort of thing is going on. 

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Taken from Facebook...

Yes depression is such a bitch and seems relentless. A lot of us have been close to that edge, and some have lost friends and loved ones. Let's look out for each other and stop sweeping mental illness under the carpet. If I don't see your name, I'll understand. May I ask my family and friends wherever you might be, to kindly copy and paste this status for one hour to give a moment of support to all those who have family problems, health struggles, job issues, worries of any kind and just need to know that someone cares. Do it for all of us, for nobody is immune

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My Diary... Saying Grace... Prayers from around the world with food being the theme... Harvest Service... Sir Nicholas Winton.

                                            

                                                    My Diary...

August

9^th – Falkirk Spiritualist Church (SNU)

12^th – Perth Spiritualist Church (SNU)

13^th – Kilmarnock Spiritualist Church (SNU) The first of four workshops on “Understanding the Basics of your Psychic Abilities”.

16^th – Kilmarnock Spiritualist Church (SNU)

18^th – The Association of Spiritual Knowledge (ASK) Cumbernauld.

20^th - “Understanding the Basics of your Psychic Abilities”. Kilmarnock Spiritualist Church (SNU)

27^th - Understanding the Basics of your Psychic Abilities”. Kilmarnock Spiritualist Church (SNU)

                                                     Saying Grace

In a restaurant recently I saw a family quietly saying Grace before starting their meal.  It took me back to my childhood when one or two older members of the family did say Grace.  When I got home I looked this up on the Internet and found that a poll a few years ago asked if people said Grace before eating.  Most of those who said ‘no’ commented that they were lucky to just have the whole family sit down together to eat, let alone say grace.   So it looks like saying Grace has become a thing of the past.  That may not be surprising as those connected with religion are becoming fewer as each year passes.

But do we need the whole family around the table before we can say Grace?  It need not be of religious content we can take thirty or so seconds contemplation before we eat.  In this day and age most of us are rushing about and those few quiet seconds may let our brain drop down a gear so we can savour the taste of the food more than we would have done. . People who do it tend to eat more slowly, aiding digestion,

 Taking a few seconds to think how the food has reached our plate. From the moment the seed was planted, the minute the animal was born, all through the food chain process so you don’t starve and you enjoy your meal.  Making you appreciate what you are eating and not to take it for granted or waste it.

I have always felt that Spiritualism should have a Harvest Service and the produce donated could be given to local food banks.  I am sure Spirit would be in favour of this.  Many of our grandparents relied on their vegetable plot to supplement their meals.   I am sure our forefathers would think of the Harvest festival as a great idea especially if some of it came from our own gardens.

                                                            Harvest Service

In a restaurant recently I saw a family quietly saying Grace before starting their meal.  It took me back to my childhood when one or two older members of the family did say Grace.  When I got home I looked this up on the Internet and found that a poll a few years ago asked if people said Grace before eating.  Most of those who said ‘no’ commented that they were lucky to just have the whole family sit down together to eat, let alone say grace.   So it looks like saying Grace has become a thing of the past.  That may not be surprising as those connected with religion are becoming fewer as each year passes.

But do we need the whole family around the table before we can say Grace?  It need not be of religious content we can take thirty or so seconds contemplation before we eat.  In this day and age most of us are rushing about and those few quiet seconds may let our brain drop down a gear so we can savour the taste of the food more than we would have done. . People who do it tend to eat more slowly, aiding digestion,

 Taking a few seconds to think how the food has reached our plate. From the moment the seed was planted, the minute the animal was born, all through the food chain process so you don’t starve and you enjoy your meal.  Making you appreciate what you are eating and not to take it for granted or waste it.

I have always felt that Spiritualism should have a Harvest Service and the produce donated could be given to local food banks.  I am sure Spirit would be in favour of this.  Many of our grandparents relied on their vegetable plot to supplement their meals.   I am sure our forefathers would think of the Harvest 

festival as a great idea especially if some of it came from our own gardens.

Here are some prayers from around the world with food being the theme...

Buddhist Tradition--From Thich Nhat Hanh...

“The plate is filled with food. I am aware that each morsel is the fruit of much hard work by those who produced it”.

Native American Tradition...

“Preparing to Eat Now that I am about to eat, O Great Spirit, give my thanks to the beasts and birds whom You have provided for my hunger; and pray deliver my sorrow that living things must make a sacrifice for my comfort and well-being”.

Islamic Tradition... As we sit at table and rejoice in the mercy and goodness of the one God, may the bonds of friendship be strengthened, may our fellowship be a light in the darkness, and—most importantly—may we remember that in opening ourselves to each other we open ourselves to God”...

Jewish Tradition--Adapted from an Haggadah of Liberation...

“We dedicate this meal to our hopes and dreams for the future. We dream of a world not threatened by destruction. We dream of a world in which all people are free to be themselves. We dream of a world at peace”...

From the Native American Iroquois Tradition...

We return thanks to the corn, and to her sisters, the beans and squashes, which give us life. We return thanks to the bushes and trees, which provide us with fruit. We return thanks to the Great Spirit, in who is embodied all goodness, and who directs all things for the good of his children.

Buddhist Tradition--From Thich Nhat Hanh

“With the first mouthful, I promise to practice loving kindness. With the second, I promise to help relieve the suffering of others. With the third, I promise to see others’ joy as my own. With the fourth, I promise to learn the way of non-attachment and equanimity”...

Buddhist Tradition--From Thich Nhat Hanh...

 “All living things are struggling for life. May they all have enough food today”.

                                              

                                                   Sir Nicholas Winton.

In today’s a celebratory mad-world we are forgetting the really special people who have lived among us.  Those who have risked or given their lives in trying to help others or their country.  Men and women on many occasions who’s heroic acts will never be made public.

One special gentleman in this category passed on 1^st July this year, Sir Nicholas Winton.  Sir Nickolas organised the rescue of 669 children destined for Nazi concentration camps.  Then a stockbroker, he arranged for trains to carry Jewish children out of occupied Prague.  A no mean feat considering what was going on in the area at that time.  He died on the anniversary of the departure of a train in 1939 carrying the largest number of children - 241.  Sir Nicholas brought the children to Britain, battling bureaucracy at both ends, saving them from almost certain death, and then kept quiet about his exploits for a half-century.  He organised a total of eight trains from Prague, with some other forms of transport also set up from Vienna.

Truly amazing, but one other thing connected with saving the lives of these children is that the world did not know of this for over 40-years.  This ‘Great Escape’ by the ‘Kinder transport trains’ this only came to light in 1988 when Sir Nicholas appeared on BBC’s “This is Your Life”. 

Sir Nickolas Winton a truly amazing and modest man.

As I have said there will be others who have carried out humanitarian tasks, many losing their lives and yet we will never hear about them.  Maybe all of our Spiritual Organizations should meet and decide on a date each year where we can have a commemoration service for “Unknown Heroes – ones  whose deeds will never be known.

My Diary ... All Three in One Service ... The Most Inspirational Words Ever? ... How could mankind do this?

My Diary

June...

24^th - The Kilwinning Temple of Light Spiritualist Church. A church that has been in the town for at least forty-years and one of the first churches I took a service at.  Remembering back I was so nervous that I asked another medium to share the platform with me.  This was Fay McMillan and although Fay was an excellent medium she decided to work with Spirit in other ways.

26^th - Angel Light Spiritualist Church. Govanhill Neighbourhood Centre. Daisy St, Glasgow, G42 8JL.   A small church which has been running for a good many years now thanks to the hard work of Nancy, Christine and Liz.

28^th - My booking at The Love and Friendship Spiritualist Church. Couper Institute, Clarkston Road, Glasgow G44, had to be cancelled.  Even when renting a hall all the year round there are times when our churches have to give way for a very special local event and this was one of them. I am not complaining as it would have given this hard-working committee a break, a rare Sunday off.

July...

7^th – The Free Spiritualist Church, Kilmarnock.

27^th –  The Saltcoats Spiritual Church, Argyll Community Centre,  Saltcoats, KA21 5AF.  Another church which has been running for many years and again one that I took a service at in my early steps along my spiritual path.  I have to mention Wendy, Jean and Irene for their hard work over several decades to make this a very busy church.

 

29^th - Edinburgh College of Parapsychology : 2 Melville St, Edinburgh EH3 7NS.  Check out  http://www.edinburghpsychiccollege.com      for forthcoming attractions.

                                          All Three in One Service

Since I came into Spiritualism twenty-five years ago there have been many changes, some positive and others negative.  Personally the most positive change is including the Healing Service with the Divine Service.  The first time I experienced this was at the Milngavie and Bearsden Spiritualist Church and although it is slowly catching on 

 I would like to see a quicker transition.

Spiritualism is a package, a package which includes Philosophy, Clairvoyance, Healing and much more.  Surely having our three main ingredients at a Divine Service makes sense?  Speaking as a medium I feel the healing being incorporated lifts the energies within the church compliment each other and makes for more powerful energies throughout the service. 

Why should healing and our healers be pushed to a slot before or after a divine service, or even  .on a different day?  OK – there may be so many wanting healing that time might be a problem, but surely we can add fifteen minutes to the service for healing.  If there is a greater demand for Healing, then it could continue after the service or those who have their own premises on a different day as well.

Maybe some churches could give this a month's trial.

P.S.  The other positive change I have found was instead of an opening prayer was five minutes contemplation.  This I also experienced for the first time at the Milingavie and Bearsden Spiritualist Church.  A church that is no longer with us, but left a legacy of positive changes to our Divine Services...  All this is down to the Founder and President Elizabeth Halliday who is also an excellent Spiritualist Medium.

                                              The Most Inspirational Words Ever?

A well known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a £20 note. In the room of 200, he asked. "Who would like this £20 bill?"

Hands started going up. He said, "I am going to give this £20 to one of you - but first, let me do this."

He proceeded to crumple the “20 note up. He then asked. "Who still wants it?" Still the hands were up in the air.

"Well," he replied, "what if I do this?" He dropped it on the
ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty. "Now, who still wants it?"

Still the hands went into the air.

"My friends, you have all learned a very valuable lesson. No
matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth £20.
Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless; but no matter what happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value.

Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still
priceless to those who love you. The worth of our lives comes, not in what we do or who we know, but by ...WHO WE ARE.
You are special - don't ever forget it. 

Author Unknown  

                                          How could mankind do this?

I have got to the stage in life where I felt that nothing could shock me.  I have long believed that man’s inhumanity to his fellow man and other creatures on this planet knows no bounds.  But last week an article by Liz Jones in the Mail on Sunday (15/8/15) left me feeling upset for days.  How can such a thing are going on in 2015 in a Commonwealth country I kept asking myself.

The article described the treatment of elephants at a Temple in Southern India.  I put the link on facebook, but removed it in seconds as it would have upset so many people  Anyone who feels they would like to read this article please go prepare to be extremely shocked.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3199391/Tortured-tourists-Chained-spot-20-years-Beaten-submission-secret-jungle-training-camps-terrible-plight-Indian-elephants-LIZ-JONES.html

As you will all know we are no angels at home as far as the treatment of animals are concerned.  Our factory farms (Animal concentration camps) ... Fatalities and injuries on or horse/dog racing tracks ... Puppy farms ... Dog fighting.

Benita emails; -  We owe so much to the animal kingdom yet our laws are weak if in place at all to punish someone who abuses an animal.

I hope that those who only get a slap on the wrist for abusing another species in our courts are dealt with in a stricter way when they reach the Spirit World.  What do you think about  Karma where the person who has committed such an act returns as that animal and receives similar treatment?

The above reminded me of an email I still had to answer and here it is...

Hi Benita – At first glance I entirely agree with what you say ... BUT ... that means more and more creatures will in suffer and it will create more and more abusers.  And in turn will mean the vicious circle of animal abuse will not end.  What we need is for sentencing to fit the crime in our courts'.  For such sentences to be a deterrent and make people think twice before abusing an animal.  We have to sort out our won mess and not leave it all to Spirit.