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The ’s Teachings

on Protecting Animals and Nature Introduction treatment of farmed animals, and who hates you lying under its bur- Forbidding Cruelty indeed all of ’s creatures, which den, you shall refrain from leaving to Animals he Bible and the Judaic- were designed to prevent any him with it, you shall help him to unnecessary pain and . lift it up” ( TChristian tradition teach he Bible forbids Modern day animal 23:4-5). and command to treat animals Tcruelty to violates core Christian values. It The Ten Com- with kindness and respect. The domestic animals. wipes out entire populations and mandments specifi- massive and suffering legally It would be harsh to species of , confines huge cally mentions that inflicted on billions of animals prevent the ox from of animals in miserable and donkeys righteous man every year is a violation of eating while work- conditions on factory , dam- must not be worked has regard for the life the teachings of our religious faith ing, and consequent- ages the environment, squanders on the . In and cannot be justified by any of his beast. ly Deuteronomy scarce resources, and harms the the twenty-third person of faith and decency. 25:4 reads, “You health of people. chapter of Exodus, The people for whom the Bible Proverbs 12:10 shall not muzzle several animal-pro- was written thousands of years ago an ox when it treads tection statutes are were intimately familiar with out the grain.” The : given by God to wildlife and domestic animals, Moreover, : “Six days especially the practice of raising Do Not Overwork Deuteronomy 22:10 you shall do your cattle and other animals. The Bible says, “You shall not plow with an Animals work, but on the seventh day you contains strict rules governing the ox and an ass together.” Pairing shall rest; that your ox and your he Mosaic Law in the Hebrew animals of different sizes and ass may have rest …” (Exodus TScriptures forbids overworking strengths would place a strain 23:12). Similarly, “the seventh animals and requires that people on the weaker of them, or perhaps day is a sabbath to the Lord your help stray and creatures. Many on both. God; in it you shall not do any injunctions are clearly written for Contrast these ancient laws work, you, or your son … or your the sake of the creatures that sought to reduce animal suf- ox, or your ass, or any of your and not the owners. fering with modern-day factory cattle” (Deuteronomy 5:14). The Law requires that farming practices. Today, for exam- God also commands that every one help animals who ple, farmers take raised for seventh year one should not sow belong to enemies to veal from their mothers at birth, or harvest the land, the vineyards, whom one owes no obli- deny the calves their mother’s and the olive groves. They should gation, as well as those , and deliberately deprive the be allowed to “rest and fallow” of friends. One may calves of iron. Farmers often keep (Exodus 23:11). God commands not “pass by” an the calves their entire lives in that what grows naturally in the animal in dis- crates so narrow that they cannot fields left fallow in the seventh tress: “If you turn around. These circumstances year shall be for oneself, one’s ser- meet your render the calves’ muscles soft and vants, one’s guests, and “for your enemy’s ox or anemic, making the flesh tender cattle and also for the beasts that his ass going and lightly colored. Such treat- are in your land all its yield shall astray, you shall ment is incompatible with the be for food” (Leviticus 25:4-7). bring it back to him. Bible’s teachings. If you see the ass of one

2 3 A Righteous Man twelve tribes of Israel – to say what fate would befall them, and Has Regard for the Life Levi were castigated and chastised of His Beast for crippling oxen, among other things (Genesis 49:6-7). roverbs 12:10 declares, “A right- Peous man has regard for the life of his beast, but the of the The Beasts of the Field wicked are cruel.” This important Shall Be at Peace verse suggests a Biblical division of people into two distinct types – with Thee those who are “righteous” and just he Book of relates that are kind to their animals, and those God’s goodness and compas- who are “wicked” and are cruel to T sion are not reserved just for creatures under their care. humans but extend to all of God’s The story of Rebekah at the creatures. Psalm 36:6-7 well stresses the importance of God, saying “man and beast thou kindness to animals as a personal savest, O Lord. How precious is attribute. In this account, the thy steadfast , O God! The patriarch , children of men seeking a wife for take refuge in the his son , sends shadow of thy his trusted servant wings.” out to search for a Psalm 145 reiter- as an ideal a day when humankind suitable woman. God’s Ideal Includes Peace The Lord is good to all, ates this theme of will be at peace with nature: “For The servant chooses with Animals and his compassion is over God’s concern for you shall be in league with the Rebekah she all God’s creatures: stones of the field, and the beasts demonstrates a kind all that he has made. he book of Hosea (2:18) sug- “The Lord is good of the field shall be at peace with disposition by draw- Tgests that God would make a to all, and his com- you.” ing water not just Psalm 145:9 pact with the animals to give them is over all Isaiah 11:6-9 eloquently depicts for him but also for safety from being hunted and per- that he has made. how the animal kingdom will be his secuted by abolishing the instru- … thou satisfiest included in the blessings of peace (Genesis 24:19). ments of their destruction: “And I the desire of every on earth when it is achieved: “The Similarly, 2 will make for you a covenant on living thing” (9, 16). shall dwell with the lamb, Chapter 12, God that day with the beasts of the Similarly, God’s explanation to and the shall lie down uses the sad story of the inexcus- field, the birds of the air, and the for why God elected not to with the kid, and the and the able killing of a family’s beloved creeping things of the ground; and destroy reflected God’s young … and the lion shall eat pet lamb to show King the I will abolish the bow, the sword, concern for animals. The “great straw like the ox. … They shall error of his ways. and war from the land; and I will city” contained 120,000 people not hurt nor destroy in all my holy When called together his make you lie down in safety.” “and also much cattle” (Jonah mountain: for the earth shall be twelve sons – representing the The Book of 5:23 describes 4:11). full of the knowledge of the Lord”.

4 5 Reverence for Life day?” (14:5) And in the Sermon on ness, and docility. through, and the the Mount, speaks of “the He often represent- lowing of cattle is in the birds of the air”, saying that “your ed animals as being not heard; for both heavenly Father feeds them” under God’s provi- the birds of the air he New Testament contains I desire mercy (Matthew 6:26). dence, and Jesus’ and the beasts of Tmany references favorable to Interestingly, the New repeated statements and not sacrifice. the field are gone” protecting animals and nature. In Testament never depicts Jesus eat- to practice love, (9:10). Similarly, Luke (12:6), Jesus stresses that God Matthew 9:13, 12:7 ing meat in his lifetime, not even mercy, and compas- Habakkuk predicts even the lowliest of crea- at the Last Supper, although on sion are consistent “… the destruction tures: “Are not five sparrows sold two occasions after his death and with, and indeed of the beasts will for two pennies? And not one of resurrection the Bible describes his fundamental to, the terrify you, for the them is forgotten before God.” eating fish. humane and preser- blood of men and Matthew 10:29 also reports Jesus’ Many see deep sig- vation ethic. violence to the belief that God cares for all God’s nificance in the story of Jesus earth, to cities and all who dwell creatures, even those of little mon- beginning his life among the ani- therein” (2:17). In both cases, etary value to mals (Luke The Bible’s Conservation destroying the land – much as we us. In teaching 2:7). Denied are doing today to farmland and God’s infinite Message shelter and the wilderness – brings misery. wisdom and lodging by the he obligation of humans to The Bible accords rever- love for humans of respect and protect the natural ence for trees and forests, and one mankind, T Bethlehem in environment is a theme that of the first things the Matthew Judea, Mary appears throughout the Bible. were commanded to do when they quotes Jesus as and Frequently, the mandate directly “came into” the Promised Land saying: “Are were forced to relates to the problems we face was to plant trees and allow them not two spar- use a manger today – cruelty to farmed animals, to mature before eating their fruits rows sold for a penny? And not for Jesus’ birthplace. There, Jesus destruction of wildlife and habitat, (Leviticus 19:23). will fall on the ground was born, presumably in the com- and pollution of the land, water, The Mosaic Law contains a without your Father’s will.” pany of such creatures as donkeys, and air. remarkable nature-protection regu- In Luke (13:15), Jesus uses the oxen, cows, and sheep. Perhaps ’s first anti- lation that forbids the destruction Biblical laws of humane treatment Jesus’ appreciation for animals pollution law is found in of fruit-bearing trees when waging of animals to justify healing a crip- is demonstrated by the repeated Deuteronomy (23:13-15), which war against a city (Deuteronomy pled woman on the Sabbath, say- analogies and references to ani- forbids contaminating the land 20:19). Elsewhere the Mosaic Law ing, “Does not each of you on the mals that he used in his teachings. with human waste. In the books sets forth strict and detailed rules sabbath untie his ox or his ass He referred to his followers, and of (9:9-11) and Habakkuk regarding caring for trees. For from the manger, and lead it away those who worship God, as sheep, (2:17), God warns against destroy- example, Leviticus (19:23-25) to water it?” Again in Luke, Jesus and he compared God’s care for ing nature and wildlife. In orders that fruit trees be left wild similarly justifies healing a man with a hen’s concern for Jeremiah, God describes “weeping and unpicked for the first few on the Sabbath, saying, “Which of her brood. Often in his teachings, and wailing for the mountains, and years in order to give them you having a son or an ox that has Jesus compared himself to such a lamentation for the pastures of strength and increase their yield. fallen into a well, will not immedi- animals as the lamb and the dove, the wilderness, because they are Throughout the Bible, in - ately pull him out on a sabbath known for their innocence, meek- laid waste so that no one passes ing the reverence humans should

6 7 have toward the land, the Some Biblical scholars see sig- In the know that the hand of the Lord Scriptures impart a strong conser- nificance in the that God pro- (8:7-9), Moses describes the has done this?” (Job 12:7-9). vation message, warning against nounced each thing God created – Promised Land as an ecological over utilizing and wearing out nat- the whales, birds, cattle, “every- , noting its rich and beau- ural resources. In Leviticus (25:4), thing that creeps upon the tiful environment and its “foun- Human-Stewardship God commands that: “in the sev- ground,” and the other “beasts of tains and springs, flowing forth in Responsibilities enth year there shall be a sabbath the earth” – as “good” in itself valleys and hills …” Moses stress- of solemn rest for the land, a sab- (Genesis 1:21, 25). And when God es to the ot only bath rest for the Lord; you shall reviewed the entire Creation, God Israelites the Ndoes the not sow your field or prune your declared it “very good” (Genesis sanctity of the Bible stress vineyard.” 1:31), perhaps because God had land: “a land that nature Also Leviticus (26:3-6) describes created a universe of harmony. which the Lord reflects God’s appreciation for the land by Psalm 104 eloquently sums up your God cares God’s glory promising the Israelites that, if they the theme of God’s concern for for, the eyes of and great- obey God’s commandments, the Creation, praising God for provid- the Lord your ness, but the land will reward them: “If you walk ing for all of God’s creatures. It God are always Scriptures in my statutes and observe my com- notes how we all depend on the upon it, from the assert that mandments and do ecological system beginning of the humans have them, then I will that God has estab- year to of been given a give you your rains lished, proclaiming: the year” special responsibility to protect in their season, and “O Lord, how mani- (Deuteronomy 11:12). and care for the natural environ- the land shall yield For every beast of the forest fold are thy works! God’s love of the land for its ment. Yet ironically, this Biblical its increase, and the In wisdom hast own sake, not just for humans’ is mine, and the cattle mandate has often been used as a trees of the field thou made them all; benefit, is apparent when God license to despoil and destroy shall yield their fruit. upon a thousand hills. the earth is full of speaks to Job from the whirlwind, instead of an obligation to protect … And I will give I know all the fowls of the thy creatures. telling him how God does “bring and preserve. peace in the land …” Yonder is the sea, rain on a land where no man is, on mountains: and the wild Probably no passage in the Bible great and wide, the desert in which there is no has been so misunderstood and beasts of the field are mine. which teems with man; to satisfy the waste and deso- God’s Love misinterpreted as Genesis 1:26, things innumerable, late land, and to make the ground where God gives humankind for Nature Psalm 50:10-11 (KJV) living things both put forth grass” (Job 38:26-27). “dominion” over nature and ani- small and great. … The Book of Job tells us that mals. This has often been mistak- hroughout the thou openest thy humans must live in harmony enly interpreted as a synonym for TBook of hand, they are filled with nature and seek to learn from ownership, giving humans the Genesis, God looks with good things. … its wise and mysterious ways: “But right to treat nature and animals with special favor on “the swarms thou sendest forth thy Spirit, they ask the beasts, and they will teach as they see fit. However, since of .” God created are created; and thou renewest the you; the birds of the air, and they there was no violence in the them, blessed them, and com- face of the ground. May the glory will tell you; or the plants of the and since God manded them to “be fruitful and of the Lord endure for ever, may earth, and they will teach you; and described all of Creation as “very multiply,” repeatedly characteriz- the Lord rejoice in his works …” the fish of the sea will declare to good,” it is much more reasonable ing their creation as “good.” (Psalm 104:24-31). you. Who among all these does not to regard human “dominion” as a

8 9 sacred responsibility to be good vain to believe that their destinies of the ark, even every beast of the the thesis that God cares deeply stewards of the natural world. In differ from those of animals: “For earth.” Indeed, God makes no dis- about animals. The ostensible pur- addition to caring for and protect- the fate of the sons of men and the tinction between people and ani- pose of the sacrifices was to atone ing the earth, Genesis 1:28 com- fate of beasts is the same; as one mals in establishing God’s for sin, so it is reasonable to regard mands humankind to “replenish dies, so dies the other. They all covenant “between me and the animal sacrifices as a necessary the earth.” have the same breath, and man has earth” (Genesis 9:12- step away from the In contrast to those who hold no advantage over the beasts; for 17). practice of human that the earth belongs to humans, all is vanity. All go to one place; Many people sacrifice (Numbers in Leviticus (25:23), God pro- all are from dust, and all turn to regard God’s giving 31:30, 40) on the claims, “the land is mine; for you dust again. Who knows whether permission to road to abolition of are strangers and sojourners with the spirit of man goes upward and eat animals as vali- What does the Lord require all sacrifice. me.” Similarly, the Twenty-fourth the spirit of goes down to dating humankind’s The later Psalm relates that the world the earth?” entitlement to treat of you but to do justice, prophets, including belongs not to humankind but to In numerous places in the animals as we please. and to love kindness, Isaiah, Hosea, God: “The earth is the Lord’s and Bible, God acts toward humans However, killing and and to walk humbly Amos, Micah, and the fullness thereof, the world, and and animals in an equitable way. eating animals came Jeremiah, con- they who dwell therein … “ Also, When God saved Noah and his with a curse – where- with your god? demned animal Deuteronomy 10:14 proclaims, family from destruction, God as previously people sacrifice. For exam- Micah 6:8 “Behold, to the Lord your God treated the animals in a similar and animals had ple, Isaiah (1:11-13) belong and the heaven of manner: “And God remembered lived in harmony, describes how God , the earth with all that is Noah and every living thing, and “the fear of you told the Israelites in it …” All living things belong to all the cattle that were with him and the dread of you to bring no more God, and God declares in Psalm in the ark” (Genesis 8:1). shall be upon every sacrifices since 50:10-11, “For every beast of the Genesis 9:8-10 relates that, beast of the earth …” (Genesis they were “an .” In forest is mine, the cattle on a after the waters of the great flood 9:2). Enmity with God’s animals Isaiah 66:2-3, God compared the thousand hills. I know all the receded, God promised a flood is a great price to pay for the gusta- killing of an animal with the mur- fowls of the mountains: and the would never again destroy the tory satisfaction of eating them. der of a human: “He who slaugh- wild beasts of the field are mine” earth. God made this covenant not And there is another curse – the ters an ox is like him who kills a (KJV). only with Noah and his descen- fat, cholesterol, and harmful chem- man …” dants but also with “every living icals and other substances that Similarly, Hosea wrote, “For I creature that is with you, the fowl, promote heart disease, diabetes, desire steadfast love and not sacri- Into Your Hand the cattle, and every beast of the certain cancers, and other degener- fice, the knowledge of God, rather Are They Delivered earth with you; of all that go out ative diseases that kill or disable than burnt offerings” (6:6). In millions of Americans each year. Jeremiah, God declared “Your he Bible contains burnt offerings are not acceptable, Tnumerous strictures nor your sacrifices pleasing to me” against wanton or cruel Animal Sacrifices (6:20). Jeremiah also related for killing of wildlife and God, “For in the day that I brought domestic animals. ome people ask how the ritual them out of the land of , I did Ecclesiastes (3:19-21) Ssacrifices of animals described not speak to your fathers or com- asserts that humans are in Leviticus can be reconciled with mand them concerning burnt offer-

10 11 ings and sacrifices” (7:22). drove out the merchants selling are based on King David wrote, “Sacrifice animals for sacrifice, those chang- the principle and offering thou dost not desire” ing money for the purchase of ani- that animals (Psalm 40:6). Amos, speaking for mals, and the animals themselves are part of God, related that God strongly (John 2:15). God’s cre- condemns sacrifices: “I hate, I ation toward despise your feasts, … Even though which man you offer me your burnt offerings and Protection bears respon- and cereal offerings, I will not of Animals sibility. accept them” (5:21-22). Laws and Micah similarly described God hese conservation and humane other indica- rejecting sacrifices: “With what Tprecepts of the Scriptures were tions in the shall I come before the Lord, and well understood by the early lead- … Bible bow myself before God on high? ers of and the Christian make it clear Shall I come before him with Church. For the first thousand not only that burnt offerings, with calves a year years or so, numerous stories and cruelty to old? Will the Lord legends depict the animals is be pleased with forbidden but also that compassion fit from it. A truly religious man Christian saints as does not ask how far this or that thousands of rams, having close and and mercy to them are demanded of with ten thousands man by God. … In later rabbinic lit- deserves sympathy … to him, life friendly relation- as such is sacred.” of rivers oil? Shall I ships with wild and erature … great prominence is also give my first-born given to demonstrating God’s mercy Another leading Christian the- And God said, “Behold, domestic creatures, ologian, Rev. Norman Vincent for my transgres- including such to animals, and to the importance of sion, the fruit of my I give you every plant not causing them pain.” Peale, has stated, “ not believe revered saints as a person can be a true Christian body for the sin of yielding which is upon Giles, , Dr. Albert Schweitzer, a med- my soul?’ He has ical missionary and Nobel Peace and at the same time deliberately the face of all the earth, Benedict, Meinrad, engage in cruel or inconsiderate showed you, O man, Columba, Cuthbert, Prize recipient, wrote that humans what is good; and and every tree with seed were “compelled by the command- treatment of animals.” Patrick, and hun- The Rev. Dr. Billy Graham has what does the Lord in its fruit; you shall dreds of others. The ment of love … proclaimed by require of you but to Jesus” to respect all forms of life. noted, “The Bible teaches that we have them for food.” best known, of are not to abuse or punish animals do justice, and to course, is the He taught that one should avoid love kindness, and “carelessly cutting off the head of in a cruel way. God has created Genesis 1:29 patron saint of ani- them, and while mankind is given to walk humbly mals, Francis of a single flower growing on the edge with your God ? ” of the road, for in doing so (would dominion over the animals, we are Assisi. not to treat them cruelly.” (6:6-8). Similarly, be to) injure life without being Jesus’ ministry forced to do so by necessity.” Rev. Lloyd Putman has warned Judaism has a long against practicing “religious reflected the teachings of the later tradition of reverence for animals Schweitzer wrote eloquently of the prophets, and Matthew relates that need to show reverence for all myopia,” saying that “we have a and nature based on Biblical teach- small religion if it has no room for twice Jesus echoed Hosea, saying, ings. The Jewish Encyclopedia forms of life: “A man’s religion is “I desire mercy and not sacrifice” of little value unless even seem- the rest of God’s creatures.” The notes, “Moral and legal rules con- famous English theologian (9:13, 12:7). In the Temple, Jesus cerning the treatment of animals ingly insignificant creatures bene-

12 13 miscarriages, and issue, since birth defects. humankind is Huge amounts of overwhelming the water, energy, and Are not five sparrows earth’s ability to grain are being used, support not just and largely wasted, sold for two pennies? wildlife but human raising cattle, pigs, And not one of life as well. What chickens and other them is forgotten greater sin can animals. These ani- there be than to mals emit enormous before God. destroy future gen- amounts of gases Luke 12:6 erations’ ability to that cause or exacer- live on our planet? bate global warming Fortunately, the and depletion of the solution to many planet’s stratospheric of these problems ozone layer that pro- may be found in tects all life on earth from the doctrines of the Bible. If radiation. adhered to, these teachings, which The growing environmental cri- promote a reverence for the earth sis has become one of the great and its creatures, might prevent Cardinal John Henry Newman The Devastation Caused political issues of our day. What many of the threats to the environ- (1801- 1890) once wrote that “cru- many people fail to realize is that ment and could ensure a secure elty to animals is as if a man did by Factory Farming it is also a moral and spiritual future for humanity. not love God.” he authors of the Bible could Pope John Paul II has stated Thardly have foreseen the suf- that Christians have a moral obli- fering and devastation of animals gation to protect the environment, caused by modern-day , saying in a homily that “respect which clearly violate the spirit and for natural resources of our planet” letter of the Biblical laws. In facto- must be a part of everyone’s con- ry farming, for example, crowding science. He has also said that “To together billions of animals in repair … and to prevent … damage thousands of such facilities is inflicted on nature” is a “grave causing massive damage to the moral obligation.” environment. Manure, chemical In the final analysis, perhaps pesticides, and fertilizers are pol- the strongest argument for kind- luting our rivers, lakes, streams, ness to animals can be made on aquifers, and other drinking water the grounds of equity. How, some sources, killing off fish and have asked, can people ask for wildlife, and causing tragic human mercy from above unless they are health problems such as cancer, merciful to those at their mercy?

14 15 Prepared by Lewis Regenstein, president of the Interfaith Council for the Protection of Animals and Nature (ICPAN), an affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSUS (www.hsus.org) O Lord, how manifold provides many resources for are thy works! humane living. In wisdom hast thou ©2006 ICPAN [email protected] made them all;

Front and back cover paintings the earth is full by Ed King, Spotsylvania, VA. of thy creatures. Thanks to: HSUS, Center for Respect of Life and Environment, Psalm 104:24 Dawnwatch.com, Christian Vegetarian Association, Stephen Kaufman, M.D., Rev. Linda McDaniel, and Helga Jervis.