Keanu Reeves and Alex Winters. Oh- and is that Boromir?

Probably my favorite part of Black Beauty comes late in the novel with our favorite hoofed narrator finds himself in the care of Jerry Barker, a london cab driver. Jerry is depicted as a sort of beautifully ethical, simple-minded man. He cares for others just about as much as he does for himself, and he is careful not to get caught up in the trends of the world. Jerry also shows unabashed affection and care (I can't stop saying this word) for Jack (the narrator). The most interesting part of this section of the novel for me came as Jerry and some of the other drivers quickly discuss religion and ethics. ""There is no religion without love, and people may talk as much as they like about their religion, but if it does not teach them to be good and kind to man and beast it is all a sham . . . " (Chapter?). I cannot possibly vocalize how much I agree with this statement. I don't necessarily think that this sentiment should be applied specifically to religions, but rather to just life in general. If Jerry is capable of figuring out that religion should benefit both man and beast, then we as humans should be capable of living our lives in such a way that they benefit other humans and animals.



First of all, there is no religion without love. I absolutely love this. One of my favorite quotes of all-time that sum's up the central message of Christianity was said by Napoleon Bonaparte (the "short, dead dude". Great Movie...). It goes: ""I know men and I tell you that Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded His empire upon love; and at this hour millions of people would die for Him." This is so telling of what the religion was originally founded on, and how far modern-day "Christians" have strayed from this message. I feel like Jerry does an excellent Job of living his life in a way that emanates love, not only to his fellow man, but also to his animals.

The (abrupt)
End.