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Chuch of Christ-Scientist, Seventh-Day Adventists, and The -------- -~---"-------"------_._---_.-- - ------- --._--~----- [=,,~~~~~~~- cc-=~~:-~__-_-~~- ----c-- ~==-~__ :__ -~- ~~~~E:to~;r~ons.- _' ---- - BElWEEN THE SPEX::IES 174 Zoophily in the Judeo-<:hristian culture expression of "eternal Mind, which is God. " has usually nanifested'itself in the form of Pantheism, however, is denied. Christian organizations that are not oriented to organ'­ Science contends that the expression of life ized religion. Four basic concepts have is not in strictly material bodies but in contributed to the Western reverence for the those with a "mind." Whether this type of life of animals am:mg the secular organiza'­ existence extends to the animal world is tions sponsoring zoophilic ideals. While somewhat vague in the literature. If animals these four concepts are religious in nature, do have minds, it is only the expression of they are not found in the fornal creeds of the Divine Mind, since "sin is the belief in the larger Christian denominations of Euro'­ the real existence of a mind or minds other than the Divine l"1ind." [6 ] pearl origin. The major rationale prompting kindness Mary Baker Eddy, the founder or "disco­ to animals is the evolutionary concept of verer" of Christian Science, has been the humans and animals belonging to one large accepted authority and "revelator of truth to family. [1] A second principle is the promise this age." Mrs. Eddy's comments concerning that kindness practiced to animals will re­ animals have been sparse and somewhat ambigu­ sult in greater kindness to humankind. [2] ous. Writing in Unity of Good, she taught Vegetarianism has been a third rrotivating God's life and "spiritual good are not in factor in the practice of zoophily. Even these kingdoms." [7] However, Mrs. Eddy also though vegetarianism may be practiced strict-­ wrote, "beasts, as well as men, express 11' for the benefit of human health, it has Mind • • but they manifest less of mind." resulted in a sparing of animal life.[3] Her explanation was that the cause of all Finally, there is the rarer concept that existence, as perceived by humanity, was the animals will have a place in a life here­ eternal 11ind, God. In the Platonic tradi­ after, and humans will be held accountable by tion, beasts are lower and further removed God for their treabnent of these eternal fran God and have less spiritual aspects of creatures. [4] mind. In their appetites, passions, and other characteristics, they express quali­ M::lst Christian denominations have not ties, but these are expressions more of mor­ supported zoophily, although few have been tal mind than of irmnortal mind. [8] Though opposed to it. Silence has been the general the "individuality and identity of animals" rule. Many have felt that there are too nany is preserved by God-intelligence, Mrs. Eddy important questions concerning humans to warned that one should not suppose He/She becane interested in animals. [5] Although possessed life and mind. The time will cane, she predicted, when the spirit will "destroy some catholics and fundamentalist Christians forever all belief in intelligent matter, " have denounced concern for animals, three which seemingly included animals. [9] churches originating in America in the nine­ teenth century have made lOOre positive state­ ments concerning animals. These are the Vegetarianism was rejected by the foun­ Christian Scientists, Seventh-Day Adventists, der of Christian Science, who repeated the and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day doctrine that it was false to believe life Saints (Morroons). and intelligence are in matter. Mrs. Eddy recalled a young nan who had adopted a vege­ tarian diet to cure dyspepsia. The young man was =ed when he realized the Christian Sci- Church of Christ-Scientist Though the Church of Christ-Scientist ORCA'S GREATEST HITS A compilation 01 musical has an unorthodox view of humanity and mat­ Improvisation belween humans ter, its resultant view of animals has been and orcas recorded In the wild and entirely underwater. similar to the majority of Christians. In CosseHe is avaITable for eleven the Christian Science view, God is "Divine dollars (including lox and moiling) l"1ind" and is the "conceiver of all in the from: tnlerspecles Communlcalion universe. o. Matter is an illusion subject to 273 Hidden Meadow Lone decay and dissolution. The ultimate reality Friday Harbor, WA 9B250 is "spirit" or "mind," and the physical mat-· ror newsleller and membership Information please wrile to Ihe ter of things or beings is illusory and tem-' some address. porary. Only humans have life that is an 175 BEIWEEN THE SPECIES ence truth that a "bit of animal flesh" was in accordance with traditional Christianity. overfX>Wering him and his mind did not have There is recognition that God has spoken dominion over matter. Mrs. Eddy counseled concerning animals; animals have a lower rank her followers not to consult the stomach arrong living beings than humans; and animals about what to eat but eat what is set before are to be used and dominated by humanity. one, "asking no question for conscience Also taught is the principle of love which sake." The eating of meat was not to be can be extended to creatures such as animals. rejected for either health or zoophilic rea­ However, in light of the corrm:mly recognized sons.[IO] status of animals and the principle of loving kindness, there has been no theological jus­ Mrs. Eddy did make one zoophilic state­ tification developed for zoophily in Chris­ ment, however, showing rrore concern for ani­ tian Science nor for Christianity in general. mal life than had been demonstrated in her writings generally. The D~pression has been that humans I concern for God and an attempt to realize rrore fully eternal mind left lit­ Seventh· Day Adventists tle room for concern for more materialistic creatures such as animals. Nevertheless, the principle of tenderness is imparted by Spirit The Seventh-Day Adventists, recognizing and thus can be evident in humanity's rela­ Ellen G. White as their founder and prophe­ tionship with animals. Daniel and Paul were tess, advocate vegetarianism. The Church was able to avoid harm from animals as the result formally named in 1860 in Battle Creek, Mich­ of control which Love manifested over the igan. Mrs. White's rrotivation towards vege­ lions and viper. [11] Climaxing this thought, tarianism seems to have been entirely health Mrs. Eddy stated: "The individuality created oriented. With her husband, James, she visi­ by God is not carnivorous, as witness the ted many health resorts and talked to many millenial estate pictured by Isaiah." Though doctors, learning about proper diet to im­ the prophetess quotes the account of peace in prove the health of herself and her husband. the animal kingdan in Isaiah 11:6, this rare As a result, she came in contact with a zoophilic expression was not given further sanitarium operated by William Kellogg in explanation by the developer of Christian Battle creek. The famous breakfast cereals Science, and zoophily has not been developed developed by Kellogg and Post were advocated by later practitioners of that faith. [12] by the Seventh-Day Adventists. [14] Another influence on the Whites was Joseph Bates, a In spite of radically unorthodox theolo­ sailor convert to Adventism who early in life gy, Christian Science has presented the same had espoused the vegetarian diet. [IS] generally accepted catholic-Protestant atti­ tude toward animals and their treatment. All The medical aspect of vegetarianism has creation is fran God, with humanity at the had strong advocates in this medically orien­ pinnacle in a descending order of created ted Church throughout its history. In list­ beings and things. Love expressed to its ing nine reasons for practising vegetarian­ fullest should be shown to all of God's crea­ ism, one author gives only one with a zoo­ tion, but not in equal order of intensity. philic concept, when he states that the "ori­ Animals are definitely of a lower order than ginal diet intended for man contained no humans, and humans should have dominion over flesh food."[16] the beasts. Since matter is illusory for Christian Scientists, no human nor animal Though Ellen G. White herself stressed will have a resurrected body of physical the health aspects of a meatless diet, she matter. Animal status in the life after did canment upon zoophily. She wrote that it death is not spelled out in Christian Sci­ was contrary to God I s plan "to have the life ence, but the implications are that there are of any creature taken." There was no death no animals with minds enabling them to return in Eden, and indeed, God did not give humans to God-Mind. [13] Still unresolved in Chris­ permission to eat flesh until after the tian Science theology is the adroonition not flood. Allowing humans to eat flesh was what to avoid eating flesh of animals and the shortened the lives of earlier humans, ac­ conflicting dictum that individuals were not cording to Mrs. White. [17] Probably the rrost created camivorous by God nor are they to be representative of Seventh-Day Adventist be­ carnivorous in the future. It is on this liefs concerning animals is the following stand that the Church of Christ-Scientist is statement by Mrs. White: BEIWEEN THE SPOCIES 176 Is it not time that all should aim increasing, the weight of suffering to dispense with flesh food? HOW' which his transgression has brought can those who are seeking to beccrne up::>n God's creatures. He who will pure, refined, and holy, that they abuse animals because he has them may have the companionship of hea­ in his power is both a coward and a venly angels, continue to use as tyrant.
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