Quoting Ophelia:-
as snakes are beautiful natural animals wrongly maligned by Christianity. The evil snake of the Judeo-Christian creation myth was just a precursor to the split between Noah's sons whereby the Calvinists called blacks the hewers of wood and drawers of water to justify slavery. We reject the latter and should reject the former as well. Many would laugh at respect for wild animals, but there is a moral continuum from the Genesis call to subdue creation to the racist European conquest of Africa.
That is such an interesting statement. How much dislike (phobia) of snakes is inate and how much nurtured in us by our christian conditioning. Yesterday evening, my son, because of his job, brought home a silver-back vulture (she was not feeling very well so she slept in our book-room). Vultures are much maligned creatures - they are extremely intelligent - and this one could do all but 'talk' - even if she could - she would have told me to go away and stop admiring her!! They eat dead bodies - but that means they are needed in Asia because otherwise the carcasses would just lie around and fester. We have been raising money for 'The Asian Vulture Project' as the vultures are dying because some antibiotic which they give to the cows is poisoning them in great numbers when they eat the carcasses. Interesting - but what to do with Colonialism?
Well, we were once invaded by the Romans in this little island. It is disputed but I personally, feel that we have an awful lot to thank them for.
As a World power - I think they were comparatively benign. I don't think the British were so terribly nasty in India either. Now America, is the World Power (well I think so anyway) and up until very recently, they have been a very benign power. Recent events excepted, I hasten to add.
However, it is only in retrospect that we can see the importance of a healthy vulture population in Asia. And I think it is in retrospect we can see the benefits of the Roman influence in Britain. We didn't like them much at the time, I am sure. In fact whilst reading your posts, I was thinking about Ireland - the only time the Protestants and the Catholics were united was when Daniel O'Donnel united them against the British.
A common enemy works wonders for unity. Innit?
I think with Conrad, with are looking at the Victorian Cosmic Consiousness - they saw things in a hierarchical light. We do this much less so now - and particularly in Australia I think. What do you say Robert?
A few posts back, a new person joined us, introduced by Ophelia. I am sorry that I never acknowledged or said 'Hello'. I was just a bit immersed in the debate - I forgot my manners. Welcome - I dare not look back to check your name in case I lose all this long diatribe. But you know who you are. Looking forward to hearing from you. I will just send this and then go and learn your name.