Police Horses Fearful At Rainbow Crossings?
Editor writes…
An Irish reader alerted me to the above video, as follows:
“Many pedestrian crossings over here are in rainbow colours and that reminded me of a news item one of my sons showed me (YouTube – September 2020) where mounted police horses (UK) were terrified to cross/walk over crossings such as these, put in place for the LGBTQ community. They reared up in terror and nothing would persuade them to set foot on the crossing. They walked/reared up around on the pavement. I see that as a miracle – even animals can sense evil. One of the most extraordinary scenes I’ve ever come across.”
In another report, we discover that guide dogs for the blind are also reacting negatively, becoming confused at “Trans” crossings. As a result, complaints are being lodged from disability rights campaigners; one online commentator says, “As a health and safety professional I can tell you this is incredibly dangerous. You can’t simply change safety critical markings like this.”
So, what’s going on here – are these animals simply anti-LGBTQ bigots?
Some commentators argue that this is a cultural issue – that the animals are simply reacting (nervously) to something new – rather than a moral issue.
So, what about our Irish reader: is she correct to interpret the reaction of the police horses to the rainbow crossing as a miracle, a rejection of evil? Do animals really have some level of moral sense, some awareness of the natural/supernatural order of things? Check out this story from the life of St Anthony of Padua before you dismiss the possibility. I know, first-hand myself, of an amazing incident some years ago, when a small bird, a thrush, hopped to and fro, back and forwards, around an elderly Religious, a Carmelite nun friend of mine who was gardening; Sister noticed this unusual behaviour, realised that there might be a problem and so she spoke gently to the bird as it led her to another little bird, keeping an eye on her to make sure she was following, until they reached the other little bird – lying injured. Astounding. So, what do you think – DO animals have a moral sense?
Reminder: the Church teaches that all sexual activity outside marriage is sinful, and that homosexual activity is intrinsically disordered – that does not mean that individual homosexuals are evil, any more than it means that all cohabiting couples are evil. We are prohibited from making that judgment about anyone, ever, no matter the sin. I speak as one who is, not infrequently, described as “evil”, so take my word for it: we are all wanting in the sight of God, for sure, but only God can make that definitive judgment about who is good and who is evil. Please, therefore, submit all comments in a thoughtful manner, above all in a spirit of Christian charity – any slurs/name-calling will be deleted as soon as I see them. Speaking the objective truth is not uncharitable: “Tommy Smith robbed the bank” is not uncharitable – “that ignorant, evil, no-good layabout, Tommy Smith robbed the bank” IS uncharitable. Get it? If your comment doesn’t pass the “Get it?” test then… forget it! On that note, then, a reminder of the discussion topic: DO animals have a moral sense?
Your thoughts…
Comments (18)
N O T I C E . . .
Those of you who remember our former Treasurer, Betty, who suffered a stroke some years ago and has been wheelchair bound, without full control of her speech ever since, will be pleased to know that she celebrates her 70th birthday today.
I saw her on Friday and promised that I would remind bloggers to keep her in their prayers, for which she smiled her sincere gratitude.
Happy Birthday Betty!
Happy Birthday Betty, and prayers promised!
happy birthday Betty and many more praise the lord for little gifts God bless you
Personally I wouldn’t necessarily see anything miraculous in this. I saw the horse video a while back. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ehl_TAgyVcQ Police horses and guide dogs are extremely highly trained animals and anything out of the ordinary can throw them out and confuse them. We have a rainbow crossing where I live and I’ve regularly seen non-guide dogs walking across it without a care in the world. Although I know that there have been miraculous incidents in the life of the Church where animals appeared to have some understanding of the supernatural.
Westminsterfly,
I would agree about not necessarily miraculous, but police horses are extremely highly trained as you say and that includes staying calm in stressful and dangerous situations. Those two horses weren’t calm and it would surprise me if they’re not used to seeing colours, since a lot of their work will be policing parades (even the Pride Parades, LOL!)
I’m not sure what I think about this – it’s definitely unusual IMHO.
Then how come I have seen non-guide dogs walking across these vile crossings with no problems – many times? If we are endowing brute creatures with the power of discerning moral evil, then – apart from rare miracles in the life of the Church – we are on sticky ground. We ought to go back to St Thomas Aquinas on what behaviour is proper to brute animals (with the exception of miraculous events recorded in the history of the Church).
Westminsterfly,
I don’t know how to explain that – but how do you explain the ones who ARE trained, the guide dogs reacting negatively? They are obviously trained to spot danger, so I supposed it might just as easily be that they are not sure if the new crossing mean danger, I don’t know, but there’s definitely something going on there. The more I think of it, I doubt if it’s anything supernatural but it’s definitely odd – do you not think so?
Westminsterfly,
I forgot to say that link you posted is to the same video Editor put in the introduction. Maybe you meant to post another one?
Westminsterfly,
Well, I’m not sure – e.g. the story of the mule in the Life of St Anthony of Padua, could just be a legend. I think we’re supposed to be sceptical, first, of stories like this.
Yes animals especially dogs are tad sensitive to supernatural but not all of them though.
The word dog is spelled backwards as god.
I recall one night when I was walking towards home as its a rural area. I was tired that night and sensed something was slightly off. Then I saw a collie dog following me ahead as she was aware of me walking. She led in front of me towards my home as she seemed to know that it was my home by stopping there and sort of told me ‘there you go’.
Same sex issue is all about blurring the lines as it reduces the moral issues to almost nothing such as right or wrong.
The more the blurred lines is, the more confusion it creates there is cos no sense of right or wrong. We need to have a clear disinction of what’s right or wrong.
Thought same sex marriage or LBGTQ was fine. Cos I knew a guy who was obviously gay at age 4 or 5 as I didn’t understand it that time cos far too early age or too young to understand . As I grew up as I asked him about it. He confirmed it that he knew he was gay at age 5, no abuses etc until later age. He might be born with it, no evidence or proof though.
Anyway on holiday in Thailand where a friend suggested a place to visit. That’s where its the most sleaziest place I ever visited in my life. At that time I was quite content re issues of SSM or LBGTQ etc until I had a bit of supernatural experience in one of the bars there. It was where evil spirit (devil) was grinning at me re scenes that I saw at bar. Then from there, I understood he was grinning that a sin had taken place. Then after that I become anti SSM or LBGTQ but respect the person, not the sin.
Normally, I never had a supernatural experience until I went to medjugorje back then. From there, odd or strange experiences on and off.
But I don’t believe in medjugorje right now cos something isn’t right there that I can’t explain despite the fruits.
I think animals do have a sense of right and wrong – I am thinking of a report I once read about a babysitter who was abusing the baby in her care and the parents had no idea until the dog started getting agitated when the babysitter arrived. The dog would try to stand between the babysitter and the baby, and eventually the parents got curious and they installed a camera. I must look for that report and post the link later.
So, there’s something to that, although I’m not sure the horses would know that the rainbow colours represented homosexual activity, LOL!
This is the report I mentioned
https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2013/09/hero-dog-saves-boy-from-abusive-babysitter
Margaret Mary,
That’s an amazing story. It says this at the end, about the dog:
“Killian is not through being a hero. He is currently training to be a psychiatric service animal.”
Well, is that intelligence or what? I’d never have credited an animal with that sort of ability/intelligence. He’s saved that little boy from further abuse and now that the sitter is on the child register, she’ll never work with children again. Result!
Margaret Mary,
That’s another amazing instance of animals showing a sense of understanding that there is something wrong going on. What a wonderful dog.
Animals do not have a rational soul, and therefore cannot have a moral sense. However, it seems certain that they can sense the presence of evil – sensed as danger – and it also seems certain that these rainbow crosswalks are infested with demons, who are the source of this evil to begin with. I’m guessing that the horses are reacting to the presence of said demons. Too bad the citizens of the UK can’t sense danger as well as the horses can.
RCA Victor,
That makes perfect sense – they can sense danger, especially, like in the case of the report Margaret Mary posted, if they actually witness it, i.e. the abusive babysitter abusing the little child.
Lily,
Sorry, I did put the same link again, in error. I totally agree with you that something is odd about this, but I’m inclined to think that trained animals who aren’t used to these daft crossings, possibly see them as a form of danger, and are being confused and frightened by them.
As Editor wrote in her foreword “In another report, we discover that guide dogs for the blind are also reacting negatively, becoming confused at “Trans” crossings. As a result, complaints are being lodged from disability rights campaigners; one online commentator says, “As a health and safety professional I can tell you this is incredibly dangerous. You can’t simply change safety critical markings like this.” But then what does it matter if a blind person and their dog get injured or even killed – as long as you’re keeping the alphabet brigade happy. The oddest thing I find is that the wretched crossings exist in the first place! I have complained to my local councillor about the one in my high street. Fat lot of good that did.
I loved the video and the stories about animals, including the wee bird getting the nun’s attention – that was lovely.
But I don’t think it’s anything miraculous I suppose animals (just like us, humans) have their own different skills and ability, knowledge/understanding.
I’ve enjoyed reading this thread though – it’s different!