Rabbi, why do you let that mongrel dog
follow you, always trotting at your heels,
or curled beside you when you take your meals?
You might as well adopt a common hog.
You know that both of them are born unclean.
To treat each otherwise is just obscene.
You folks are different here in Galilee.
As for myself, I am a Pharisee
(and very scrupulous, as you can tell:
I keep the Law, and keep it very well).
But really, animals are hardly worth
so much compassionate consideration.
We are of God; they---merely of this earth.
We, only, are the Lords of God's creation.
Starward
[jlc]
Pharisees
Was considering them recently - correctitude is subjective and cultural - I run into it all the time and usually it is sacred terrain - not to be spoken of in private or public - highly offensive. Pharisee syndrome - I'm right and I'm in charge of you and everything you do, so stop that and do it this way. Good poem ~ Star ~
.
You are so right
Especially that it seems to inhabit sacred terrain. That is one of the reaons I have been making a transition between denominations---I have grown bone-tired of the Phariseeism built into churches my wife prefers.
Seryddwr