Spirituality and Animal Rights
Do Unto Others / Golden Rule
Baha'i
Buddhism
Christianity
Hinduism
Islam
Jainism
Judaism
Native American
Seventh Day Adventist
Leaders from major faith-based organizations met in Washington, D.C., to witness the signing of "A Religious Proclamation for Animal Compassion." on November 7, 2007. The proclamation states, "animals have intrinsic value as part of God's creation and are entitled to live lives free of cruelty and exploitation." It continues, "As stewards of God's creation, we accept and embrace our duty, responsibility, and moral obligation to both protect the lives of animals and assure that those lives reflect the respect and dignity they are to be afforded as part of God's creation. We therefore invite all people of faith, under the guidance of their various faith traditions, to take up the mantle of compassion towards all of life and recognize that, as human beings, we are only part of God's creation and cannot presume to be all that matters in it." read more
All religious organizations preach compassion, non-violence, and peace toward one another and some include nonhuman animals in that preaching. Today, more and more religious organizations are coming to realize that how we treat the least of our brethren - not just the least of our human brethren - is important to our souls - and, of course, to theirs as well. This idea isn't new. Treating nonhuman animals with respect and dignity has been around since nonhuman and human animals set foot, paw, and wing on the face of this earth.
However, today we are seeing that respect and dignity erode in many arenas: factory farming, zoos, circuses, hunting, laboratories, etc. Yet, we also see respect and dignity given to animals through prayer circles and services for nonhuman animals who are suffering and dying. We have annual blessings of the animals, usually near the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi (October 4). Companion animals are mentioned in human obituaries. Some guardians have funerals and memorial services for their dear departed companions.
We humans seem to be a bit schizophrenic in our relationship to animals - some we pet and coddle. We let them eat from crystal and fine china. Others we eat from our own crystal and china.
Dominion
Although much interpretation has been given to the word "dominion" as used in the Bible, the word was never intended to mean "domination" over the nonhuman animals, fish, fowl, and insects of this planet. Matthew Scully in his celebrated book, entitled Dominion: The Power of Man, the Suffering of Animals, and the Call to Mercy, writes, "There is a long tradition of benevolence to animals lost on us today as we haggle over the rights and science of animal life." According to Scully, Islam has its principle that "Whosoever is kind to the creatures is kind to Allah," and Buddhism its credo of "Peace to all beings." John Wesley, founder of Methodism, "wondered if some divine mercy might await mistreated animals on the other side." Further, Scully writes, "The catechism of the Catholic Church declares, for example, that "Animals are God's creatures. He surrounds them with his providential care. By their mere existence they bless him and give him glory. Thus men owe them kindness."
Andrew Linzey in Animal Theology writes, "[The concept of dominion] is commonly supposed that the power given to humankind over animals justifies their use or abuse by humans. Dominion has frequently been interpreted as despotism. But there is another and altogether more satisfying interpretation of this notion. Judged from its context, God shares his or her moral rule with humans so that they can look after and care for the creation which is made (cf. e.g. Gen 2.15 where humans are specifically given the task of tilling and keeping the garden). It is important to note, however, that this divinely given commission to look after the earth eschews any right to kill for food. The dominion granted is such that subsequent upon its bestowal, God commands a vegetarian diet (Gen. 1.29f). The giving of dominion over animals which was once thought to be the touchstone justifying any abuse is now becoming central to the view that what we owe animals is more than what we owe vegetables or arguably even ecosystems."
Do unto others
All major religions have some variation on the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. Although the words may be different, the sentiment is the same.
- Baha'i Faith: "And if thine eyes be turned towards justice, choose though for thy neighbour that which thou choosest for thyself." (Epistle to the Son of the Wolf)
- Buddhism: "Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful." (Udana-Varga 5:18)
- Christianity: "And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise." (Luke 6:31, King James Version)
- Hinduism: "This is the sum of duty: do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you." (Mahabbharata 5:1517)
- Islam: "None of you [truly] believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself." (Number 13 of Imam "Al-Nawawi's Forty Hadiths.")
- Jains: "In happiness and suffering, in joy and grief, we should regard all creatures as we regard our own self." (Lord Mahavira, 24th Tirthankara)
- Judiasm: "...thou shalt love they neighbor as thyself." (Leviticus 19:18)
- Native American: "All things are our relatives; what we do to everything, we do to ourselves. All is really One." (Black Elk)
- Seventh Day Adventist: "God's word sanctions no policy that will enrich one class by the oppression and suffering of another." (Ministry of Healing, Ellen G. White)
- However, do all of these "Golden Rules" apply to the nonhuman animal world? Let's take a look at how the world's religions answer that question.
Baha'i
Compassion for animals is a fundamental tenet of the Baha'i faith, which endorses vegetarianism. Baha'u'llah, founder of the faith, called upon humanity to show kindness to animals. Abdu'l-Baha, an ambassador of peace and the leading exponent of the faith, wrote, "tenderness and loving-kindness (to animals) are basic principles of God's heavenly kingdom." He continued, "[I]t is not only their fellow human beings that the beloved of God must treat with mercy and compassion, rather must they show forth the utmost loving-kindness to every living creature. For in all physical respects, and where the animal spirit is concerned, the selfsame feelings are shared by animals and man... whether you inflict pain on man or beast. There is no difference here whatsoever."
Abdu'l-Baha believed it is worse to harm an animal, "for man hath a language, and he can lodge a complaint...But the hapless beast is mute, able neither to express its hurt nor take its case to the authorities...Therefore, it is essential that ye show forth the utmost consideration to the animal, and that ye be even kinder to him than to your fellow-man."
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Buddhism
According to writer and educator Ronald Epstein, "Buddhism affirms the unity of all living beings, all equally posses the Buddha-nature, and all have the potential to become Buddhas, that is, to become fully and perfectly enlightened. Among the sentient, there are no second-class citizens. According to Buddhist teaching, human beings do not have a privileged, special place above and beyond that of the rest of life. The world is not a creation specifically for the benefit and pleasure of human beings...In Buddhism the most fundamental guideline for conduct is ahimsa - the prohibition against the bringing of harm and/or death to any living being.
"Furthermore, the karma of killing is understood as the root of all suffering and the fundamental cause of sickness and war, and the forces of killing are explicitly identified with the demonic. The highest and most universal ideal of Buddhism is to work unceasingly for permanent end to the suffering of all living beings, not just humans."
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Christianity
Author Andrew Linzey, an Anglican priest, theologian, writer and Christian vegetarian, in his book, Animal Theology, writes, "...'What is creation for?' or 'Why do animals exist?' there is only one satisfactory theological answer. Creation exists for its Creator. Years of anthropocentrism have almost completely obscured this simple but fundamental point. What follows from this is that animals should not be seen simply as means to human ends. The key to grasping this theology is the abandoning of the common but deeply erroneous view that animals exist in a wholly instrumental relationship to human beings. Even if humans are uniquely important in creation, it does not follow that everything in creation is made for us, to be pleasing for us, or that our pleasure is God's chief concern."
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Donald Cogan, said, "Animals, as part of God's creation, have rights which must be respected. It behooves us always to be sensitive to their needs and to the reality of their pain." Another English prelate, John Austin Baker, the Bishop of Salisbury "preached against indifference to animal pain and lauded the animal welfare movement."
Frances Arnetta, founder of Christians Helping Animals and People Inc, a New York-based ministry, examined numerous Old and New Testament passages and found that "God has given the animals many rights: The right to His blessing; their own intrinsic worth; the right to personhood; the right to a voice-either their own or ours; the right to eternal life; the right to be included in the covenants of God; the right to life; the right to freedom from fear, pain, and suffering; the right not to be overworked; the right to mercy and compassion; the right to shelter and comfort; the right to worship God, however they are able." And finally, St. Francis of Assisi said, "Not to hurt our humble brethren is our first duty to them but to stop there is not enough. We have a higher mission -- to be of service to them whenever they require it."
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Hinduism
The general Hindu belief is that animals have souls but do not have access to eternal life. However, they can continue to return to earth and evolve to eventually inhabit a human body and then that soul has the ability to reincarnate and be one with eternal peace. This belief leads Hindus then to be vegetarian as they do not eat the flesh of one who has a soul. According to the Indian Sacred Book, the slaughter of animals obstructs the way to Heaven. It is therefore necessary for any Hindu who wishes to be connected to his or her religion to avoid eating meat, fish, and eggs. The Hindu compassion for all living beings leads one to this conclusion.
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Islam
The Prophet Muhammad said, "All creatures are the family of God..." The Qur'an makes no direct references to an afterlife for animals but there are indirect ones. Islam also teaches that God will be the judge of people and animals.
According to writer and international journalist Anayat Durrani, "God created man to be the guardian of the Earth and gave him dominion over its inhabitants. Therefore, mankind is held responsible for an injustice he has done to any of God's creatures. The Qur'an specifies that animals function as a community in the same way that human beings do, and all creatures have their place. The Qur'an also shows that it is not only human beings that give praise and worship to God through prayers but animals as well."
The Qur'an does indicate that cruelty to animals is equivalent to cruelty to humans and that animals should be treated as humanely as any other of God's vast creation. However, animals are still slaughtered for food, although the manner in which they are slaughtered should cause the least amount of pain to the animal. Yet, the animal must be conscious at the time of slaughtering. The neck is slit and the blood drained. The meat is then considered "halal"-meaning the meat has been obtained with God's blessings.
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Jainism
The main principles of Jainism are: Every living being has a soul; every soul is divine. Therefore, one needs to regard every living being as him or herself, harming no one and being kind to all living beings. Jainism regards every living soul as potentially divine; therefore, all living souls are to be treated equally.
"Ahimsa," a Sanskrit word, means more than just non-violence, it includes the concept of doing no harm to any living being directly or indirectly by thought, word, or deed. Jainism is the only religion to consistently advocate against harming any living being; therefore, Jains do not eat the flesh of animals, even one who has died naturally as that body may contain living organisms. Jains do not eat honey as some bees have to die in order for the honey to be harvested.
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Judaism
According to Richard Schwartz, Ph.D., writer and educator, Judaism has very powerful teachings about the proper treatment of animals. "According to Judaism, animals are part of God's creation and people have special responsibilities to them. The Jewish tradition clearly indicates that we are forbidden to be cruel to animals and that we are to treat them with compassion. These concepts are summarized in the Hebrew phrase tsa'ar ba'alei chayim, the Torah mandate not to cause 'pain to any living creature.'" Judiasm teaches that God has a blessed place in the world to come for all who are virtuous. Animals appear to be included in the "all."
According to Schwartz, the first dietary law in the Torah is vegetarian: "And God said: 'Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed-to you it shall be for food.' (Gen. 1:29)" However, permission to eat meat was eventually given as a concession to people's weaknesses.
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Native American
Native Americans believe all creatures are interconnected, said Gary Langston of Kansas City, a Northern Cherokee. "All living things are children of the Earth. It doesn't matter if we have feet or wings or roots."
Native Americans deeply respect animals as their equals and ask permission to take an animal's life and then only for food. In Native American tradition, animals are viewed as creators, messengers, protectors, guardians, spiritual guides, etc. Native Americans believe there is an afterlife for animals, that all living beings go back to the Creator-human and nonhuman alike.
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Seventh Day Adventist
The Seventh Day Adventist church was created mostly by the teachings of Ellen Gould (Harmon) White in the late 19th century. Ellen and her husband James emphasized a vegetarian diet. Although most of their writings relate to animals used as food, this couple strongly believed that humans should not be the cause of an animal's suffering for any reason. They were strong anti-vivisectionists. Some of their teachings include:
- God gave the "first parents" fruits from the trees in the Garden of Eden and said there should be no death in Eden.
- God gave Adam a job to care for the garden saying, "To you it shall be for meat."
- Vegetables, fruits, nuts, and grains should compose our diet. The eating of flesh is unnatural. Had meat been essential to health and strength, animal food would have been included in the diet given to man in the beginning.
- Meat is not healthy for the body and whatever affects the body affects the mind and the soul.
- Eating meat is not just cruel to the animals, it also has an adverse effect on all those who engage in the destruction and eating of meat.
- When we eat meat, we're eating grains and vegetables the animal ate. Better to go direct to the source of nutrition by eating grains, vegetables, fruits, and nuts instead of meat.
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In Closing
According to Andrew Linzey, "Human beings cannot affirm their own value within the created order without at the same time affirming the value of all created beings." In other words, if we believe we are important in the grand design, then everything else that has been created has importance, including the nonhuman animals and the planet herself. Linzey continues, "Is what is owed animals as God's creatures satisfied by the language of respect, responsibility, and rights? ...I argue, from a theological perspective, that we need to go even further: that a morally satisfying interpretation of our obligations to animals cannot simply rest with a claim for equal consideration as advanced by some animal liberationists. Drawing upon the notion of divine generosity exemplified in the person of Jesus, I suggest that the weak and the defenseless should be given not equal, but greater, consideration. The weak should have the moral priority."
Sources:
www.chicagotribune.com/features/lifestyle/chi-pets-heaven-fill-0821aug21,0,2942450.story?page=1
http://www.religioustolerance.org
http://network.bestfriends.org
http://www.animalsuffering.com
www.all-creatures.org
http://en.wikipedia.org
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04542a.htm
http://allcreatures.hsus.org/resources/default.aspx
http://www.all-creatures.org/murti/tsnhod-12.html
http://www.religionlink.com/
http://www.crescentlife.com/spirituality/animals_in_islam.htm
http://online.sfsu.edu/~rone/Buddhism/BuddhismAnimalsVegetarian/Buddhism%20and%20Animal%20Rights.htm
http://www.jewishveg.com/schwartz/judaism_ar.html
http://www.azcentral.com/pets/articles/2008/07/31/20080731petsinheaven.html
http://www.all-creatures.org/living/ellengould.html
Linzey, Andrew, Animal Theology. University of Illinois Press, 1994.
Murti, Vasu, They Shall Not Hurt or Destroy: Animal Rights and Vegetarianism in the Western Religious Traditions: Vegetarian Advocates Press, 2003.
Scully, Matthew, Dominion: The Power of Man, the Suffering of Animals, and the Call to Mercy. St. Martin's Press, 2002.
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