Social Sector

Animals: Should We Care?

by Wayne Pacelle

When we speak of our “humanity,” it’s grounded in our capacity as humans to exhibit empathy for others. It’s our innate empathy that prompts us to care not only for members of our families or our friends and neighbors, but also for those we’ve never met, especially the needy. This altruistic instinct motivates so many good works in society, and there are millions who help by sheltering the poor, feeding the hungry, or curing the ill. It’s that same impulse that also prompts many to have a compassionate instinct for animals–and not just those in our homes or even in our communities, but animals facing threat or crisis anywhere.

Seen in its broadest profile, our relationship with animals is tangled and confusing. We have achieved record numbers for pets in our households, expenditures for veterinary services, and participation in wildlife watching. It’s hard to find anyone who would say he or she is not an animal lover, and every state has laws forbidding malicious cruelty and neglect. Yet, in this very same culture, we do so many harsh and awful things to animals that are perfectly legal – from factory farming to animal fighting to puppy mills to the slaughter of so many wild animals for trophies, trinkets, or mere convenience.

As a nation, we struggle with the boundary between cruelty and economic opportunity, between caprice and necessity, and between callous disregard and careful use. Yet, it’s time for us to reach for a more consistent and stringent standard in our dealings with animals, stretching ourselves a bit more and using the creativity of the human mind to find better and newer ways to generate commerce and income without leaving a trail of animal victims in our wake.

In The Bond, I argue that we have inborn instincts that give us a running start. We have an instinctive connection with other animals—a social impulse that draws us toward animals and toward a benevolent way of dealing with them.

We’re learning, more and more, that the mistreatment of animals has a corrosive effect on individuals and on society. There is a well-known link between animal cruelty and crimes against people. Factory farms don’t just spawn cruelty, but also dangerous food-borne pathogens that sicken tens of millions of consumers every year. Capturing wild animals and trading them like mere commodities—for food, the pet trade, or other purposes—also spreads diseases like SARS and avian influenza that can produce pandemics and threaten public health.

For all that sets humanity apart, animals remain “our companions in Creation”, to borrow a phrase from Pope Benedict XVI, bound up with us in the story of life on earth. We cannot be bystanders in the face of harsh and cruel treatment of the less powerful – and in this case, that means animals placed on this earth by God. In the end, wherever we humans find it in ourselves to help powerless and vulnerable creatures, we are both affirming their goodness and showing our own.

What role do animals play in your family? In your community?
How can you promote animal welfare?

Editor's Note: This image was taken by Delgrossi.

Comments

Tim S.

I give up on this web sight. I am very dissapointed in the fact that Q is trying to force down the humanistic approach of creation. Dangerous and not biblical. As a society we are on the edge of making animals equal to humans. This article and others like it do nothing more than push radicals into more of a limited view of What creation really is. Like I stated before, organizations like the Humane society say one thing, but promote another. They say they are only against the cruel treatment of animals. But wink and smile at their members who rally against hunting, fishing and even eating of meat. Talk about ideas for the common good? This web-site has lost its compass. Instead of talking about how we can find ways to reach the lost for Christ. This site seems to think lifting animals to a higher plane will help in that cause. By the way, trophy hunting? I hunt public land, and when I see a deer I try to shoot the biggest and oldest Buck in the herd. Then I take the entire animal and have it dressed out for food. Using as much of the animal as possible. Is this the trophy hunting you are against? Please become more knowledgable and actually speak to a Christian outdoors person before you type what sounds good.

Tim S.

I challenge every Christian who reads this article to Google,,,,qoutes by wayne pacelle,,,.If this does not give you the true meaning of this man then nothing will. Wayne pacelle is not who he pretends to be. Wayne pacelle does not share the views of Christians. Shame on Q and Gabe Lyons for allowing this view without making a point to disagree with what this man is spewing.

Ralph Willson

I echo some of Tim S. concerns. I too am a Christian hunter who spends special time each year with my Chriatian teenage son hunting and harvesting game.

You seem to lump us into your comments "to the slaughter of so many wild animals for trophies, trinkets, or mere convenience."

It is apparent you know little of what hunting does to manage and steward our natural resources.

Jennifer Vaughn-Estrada

Just had a thought: Generally, Christian discuss people's relationship with animals in light of Genesis 1:26 & 8 (humans' dominion) and 9:2 (animals' fear). However, Genesis 2:19 might also be useful too. By naming the animals, Adam recognizes their existence, usefulness, and worth. This is sort of the opposite of what wartime political propaganda and military training are designed to do: dehumanize the enemy so that it's easier to kill them and justify killing them. Once the enemy has a face, a name, becomes someone else's son who was drafted, it makes people uncomfortable. Maybe this is what happens with animals too.

John Doppler Schiff

Ralph, pigeon shoots in Pennsylvania do nothing to "manage and steward our natural resources". That's not hunting for food, and it's not "conservation"; it is using live animals as playthings in a cruel bloodsport. It's as simple as that. It's cruel, it's vicious, it's pointless, and it violates everything that Christianity represents. And that's just one example of the myriad cruelties we deliberately overlook because it's convenient to do so.

I firmly believe that Jesus Christ would not be obliterating small animals with a rifle for entertainment. He would not take delight in their suffering and death. He would not celebrate the destruction of God's creations by decorating his home with grisly trophies made from their skulls and skins.

You may have a bloodier image of Jesus in mind, but I cannot reconcile that image with the compassion that he preached.

Mr. Pacelle is right. We have an instinctive bond with animals. We *learn* to be cruel. We are taught by our parents. We make a conscious choice to ignore our natural bond with animals, to abuse them, to kill them, to arrogantly say they are less than human and therefore their God-given capacity for joy and pain don't matter.

It's time to reverse that, and teach our children -- and ourselves -- to be responsible shepherds.

Elizabeth Rushing

Whoops. Looks like some people aren't enjoying the mirror that was held up for them to observe themselves in. Hate when that happens.

My grandparents were dirt-poor subsistence farmers who raised and slaughtered chickens, pigs and beef to put food on the table, and maybe a bit of cash for whatever was left that they could sell. There was nothing capricious about their use of animals. It was neither cruel, nor sentimental.

To the degree that hunting teaches children a skill they may need someday to survive, there is some justification for it. But that's not the reason most people I know that hunt choose to hunt. People need to be honest with themselves if they're engaging in killing for entertainment. At least have the guts to admit what you're doing without the need to dress it up as "family fun", or insisting that you still deserve the respect owed a "good Christian." Killing for fun is... well, killing for fun. Period. Scream socialist/liberal/blah blah blah. It changes nothing.

As for the writer, and other bloggers who sent their readers here, expect some flack. You'll take some direct hits from people who don't like self-reflection. Good article

Mary Moser

FWIW: My late husband and I once operated a small subsistence farm where we planted a lot of corn, which we, our kids, and a flock of crows loved to eat. Since the crows liked to eat more than we could really afford, my husband one day got out his shotgun and with his perfect aim brought down one of the crows. Immediately the whole flock of crows plopped down, and seemingly ignoring any danger from my husband and me who stood only a few feet away, they formed a circle around their dead. For some time they loudly wailed in obvious mourning, now and then walking over to the dead one, poking him as though to hopefully arouse him. My husband was so deeply touched that he vowed to never again kill a crow. Oh, he never gave up hunting, and he killed coons who came after our chickens, but he planted double corn from then on so as to provide enough for us and for neighboring crows.

Mary

Tim S.

They were probably happy that they would be having a meal shortly. Crows dont have souls. They cant feel love or sadness. I bet the next day that dead crow was eaten by his play pals.

ethan worthington

professor David Clough from the University of Chester (UK) is doing some serious theological work right now on how animals fit into the christian notion of ethics & creaturehood. And Ben Meyers over at http://www.faith-theology.com/ recently posted on the Melbourne Cup and animal ethics--reflecting on Karl Barth's animal ethics. All great resources to check out.

http://www.chester.ac.uk/departments/trs/staff/clough

Sherry Peyton

This article raises good points. I am what may be termed an "animal lover" and frankly can't take the killing of one animal by another in the wild. I tolerate hunters (one hunts on our land and gives us the venison) but would never think of killing an animal on my own. I find pets to be wonderful teachers. We would all do well to pay more attention to how they settle their differences, let go of anger, don't hold grudges, and give unconditional love, always assuming the best in the human friends.

There is a certain type of "Christian" who thinks that we are to dominate the world, and this includes the wasteful use of natural resources and other life as well.

While not a vegetarian, I applaud those who are. I don't condemn hunters, but I have met many of them that seem to enjoy the killing more than any another part. I'm not sure what skills a child can learn from this that can't be learned in a better way.

The manner in which we treat animals is a good predictor of how we will treat other humans.

Someday we are going to have to face the really awful things that go on in our breeding houses and our slaughter pens. It is enough to make one sick. The way chickens are treated is a perfect example, their quality of life is essentially gone. Not much better can be said of hogs, who now are raised mostly in large confinement barns for the few months they live.

This is not at all, I believe, what Jesus would condone. If we are to take anything from his admonition to take care of the least among us, then the least are surely the animals we own and raise.

Suzana Megles

I thank God for the people here who voiced compassion for the animals. I believe that Wayne Pacelle and HSUS are doing a lot of good for suffering animals. To say something other is unkind and untruthful. I mentioned in an oped piece entitled "Animals and Religion" that if we look hard enough in the Bible we will find

that God cares about animals. And then, while going through my "Favorites" I found

"Heaven's Gates Animal Ministries Biblical References." I intend to spend time to

verify each because I want to use them in my posts to prove God's love for all His

creatures. Of course, I need no proof because I believe that God loves all that He has created including the animals. But I think some of the people at this site need it because some of the comments appalled me with their insensitivity and unkindness.

Jill

Tim S. - You're an idiot if you really think animals cannot feel love, sadness, or pain.

Of course they can!!!!

You only think that because you need to justify your killing of them.

God help you......

Mary Jane Alexander

I visited a Shaker village in Massachusetts, and was struck by a quotation about animals. In essence, it said their Creator will be our Judge. I cannot in good conscience mistreat or eat other animals.

Kim

Wayne Pacelle is a good man. I've had the pleasure of meeting him personally. I do not need to defend him. One only needs to look at his accomplishments to see what he does on a daily basis for the greater good of all God's creatures and the home he created for them.

God Bless each of you for having the courage and conviction to speak out - except Tim S.

Tim S.,

We should not judge one another, however you make it very hard, so instead I will pray for you. May God have mercy on your soul. I pray you cure your ignorance by educating yourself on the teachings of Jesus Christ and may he enter your heart. You obviously do not know him yet. You may also want to educate yourself about trophy hunting, which is quite different from hunting to put food on your table, before you babble about it.

Clare Forjan

Tim S., So grounded so sure of yourself. There is more to Heven and Earth than we as mortals are permitted to see.We just have thease pee little human brains .

Clare Forjan

To Ethan Worthington - many thanks for directing people to check out the:FAITH- THEOLOGY.com site. Very fascinating interesting topics. I will explore it all. Thank you for sharing so eloquently and quietly. I feel you must be a very smart man. BeWell CF

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