If thine eye be single

[Monica]

for the sake of spiritual development it doesn't seem unrealistic that some would welcome death with the ascertainment of a reincarnation.

Death by violence?

The modern fear of death did not exist in that time, they did not have attachment to their forms in the way many of us do now.

Respectfully, I'm not so sure about that. There has been a veil in place all this time, and our 3D bodies have a built-in survival instinct.

Is death really such a horrible thing?

No, not at all. But it's not death I'm questioning; it's ritual sacrifice, which I associate with the power and control of the STS path.

that sounds like it is to say animals have no awareness of their place or situation,

Welcome to Bring4th, Azrael! I'm chuckling, because, as you get to know me, you will find that I am a fierce advocate for animals, precisely because they do have awareness, as well as the capacity to feel pain

but since Free Will is one of the basic constituents of the universe wouldn't that mean that animals also have a "plan" set out for themselves prior to descending?

My understanding from Ra is that the evolution of 2D entities is pretty much automatic, and even 3D entities receive assistance from their Higher Selves in programming their 3D curriculum. At some point in their 3D evolution, entities begin to consciously participate in that process.

Animals having awareness isn't the same as consciously choosing their lifetime's agenda, to the point of choosing to be sacrificed.

This has been discussed at length in this thread. A common argument from those who eat animals is that the animals choose to be slaughtered. I disagree. But we can discuss that topic is the other thread, if you wish (so as not to sidetrack this one).

Some say animals are not "ensouled" in the same way humans are, but how would that explain the sentience of Cetaceans? (Dolphins and whales) If everything evolves according to the laws, then I can't see this being an exception for animals.

As you progress through the Law of One books, you will find these issues addressed by Ra.

Dolphins and whales are 3D entities.

Also, "indoctrination" sounds like an excuse to avoid individual responsibility,

Those who are indoctrinated don't take responsibility for themselves, because they are just following their leaders. That's not to say they aren't responsible; just that they aren't aware of their own responsibility. That is a core component of what it means to be indoctrinated.

All is ultimately One, there is no good and evil, service to self is service to others and vice versa, they are the same thing in essence.

Ultimately, yes. However, 4D-5D and part of 6D can last a very long time. From our perspective, that time spent will be quite different, if we are on the STO path vs the STS path. We are in the density of Choice. At this nexus, they aren't the same thing in essence. They are different; thus 3D entities must choose.

Really, it comes down to personal tastes, even darkness and sacrifice can be positively polarized if utilized mutually.

That would depend on your definitions of those terms. What is darkness? It's lack of radiating. Radiating light is the hallmark of the STO path. Thus, darkness, ie. lack of radiating, is of the STS path. That's what the STS path is.

What is sacrifice? Jesus allowed himself to be sacrificed, in order to prove a point, to demonstrate near-100 % green ray love and forgiveness.

But he did that from a position of strength and focus. I don't think I would put his act in the same category as that of an entity allowing themselves to be dominated by a more powerful, controlling entity.

My understanding is that Jesus wasn't dominated or controlled. That is the difference.

as much as I appreciate and approve of the Law of One teachings from Confederation standpoints I still find that they work towards their own particular polarization in a way no different from those follow the STS path. Everything evolves, nothing stops, we all have our place, there is no one way except infinite.

Is the glass of water half empty or half full? It all depends on which aspects you choose to focus on. Sure there are some ways that might be the same, but there are numerous ways in which the process is drastically different.