COLUMN: Is beauty worth the moral cost?

Due to modern technology and the talent of designers from around the world, almost everyone has the opportunity to purchase lovely objects — and indeed we should. Nevertheless, I inquire as to what cost we do so?

What is attractive need not come at the expense of what is real, or in other words, natural. If we need to vandalize our natural home, then the cost is too high. All we do is harm ourselves in the process. If there is such a thing as sin, this is it — acting against ourselves.

We should adorn the body with beautiful things; our body is the vehicle for the expression of our souls inmost desires. If one does not respect the body, then one does not have much — one is poor whilst in a castle of gems.

I do not address your reason, since you will find a reason to oppose me so you can fulfill your desire. I speak only to your heart.

You may not have known this – and I didn’t either until I looked into it — but the U.S. cosmetic industry tests their products on animals. Yes, cute bunnies, dogs, monkeys, guinea pigs and cats are subjected to cruel tests. In a prolific number of tests, bunnies are subjected to tests where chemicals are applied to the eye and other parts of the body. The pain is so immeasurable that the animal often kills itself by rending its spine apart in the attempt to escape from its shackles.

This is just one instance; I assure you many things done are unmentionable, not only because of their cruelty and complete disregard for life, but due to the brevity of this article and my respect for your time.

If I were to do the same things that these companies do to animals I would be locked up, ostracized by all good citizens, deemed immoral and called a wicked man. Yet, this is exactly what takes place each day behind closed doors, beyond the reach of recorders.

The reason for this is because we support these companies through our purchasing decisions. Each time we buy something we are, in a way, voting for a set of values — the values required to produce the product.

I am sure none of my readers would ever consciously wish harm against helpless animals, but we, nonetheless, end up doing exactly that, almost unknowingly.

As long as animals are needlessly killed for our pleasure, humans will be too, and there will be no end to war. I assume, reasonably enough, that all people would like to see an end to violence and senseless death, but for this to happen, we would need to cease from direct and inadvertent violence taking place in our daily lives. The part reflects the whole. If we can change the parts we will, as a consequence, alter the entire system for the better.

Makeup can be either the stuff we put on our face or it can represent that which we pull over our eyes to blind ourselves.  To do so is to cover what is naturally beautiful.

Additionally, to hide part of ourselves from others sight is an affront against the other. If we do not respect others, we cannot possibly respect our self. We only harm each other out of self-hate.

Appearances are the downfall of all that is authentic. Masking self with a play of colors, we lose self in a field of artifice, forgetting each day why we wanted to wear it.

I have no doubt in my mind that if we started treating animals better we would start treating other humans better, too. Now, I don’t advocate asceticism nor do I voice my support for excess, I just beseech you to be conscientious in ones decisions – that’s all.