Animals are child-like beings who rely on us
Like our companion animals, farm animals rely on us, like children who rely on their parents. The animals people eat are like children in the sense that they are defenseless, innocent, and they count on us to take care of them, not harm them.
But unlike dogs and cats, we betray those child-like beings in the worst way. We exploit them, brutalize them, treat them like objects and not the beautiful innocent souls that they are.
I think that most people would agree that abandoning a family dog is cruel and selfish. Unfortunately, those people never think about the terrible betrayal that takes place when a farm animal, who trusted their caretaker, is sent off to slaughter. Or about the factory farms animals who are brought into existence and forced into a life of captivity and suffering, with zero regard for their well-being, will to live and their dignity.
When we think about animals that way, as child-like beings (in most cases, they actually are babies or ‘children’ when they are slaughtered, as you can see in this chart) it suddenly makes the status quo so much more horrific and evil, in my opinion. We’re basically bullying those who can’t defend themselves, those who would show us love if we gave them the chance. We know this for a fact because in animal sanctuaries worldwide, where animals feel safe and secure, they show love to their caretakers, they form deep bonds, they are friends, not objects.
So the status quo is going by “might makes right” over mercy and love.
As Christians, we have a choice to make
As Christians we have a choice to protect the vulnerable and innocent, (the “least” among us) or to exploit them and use them selfishly for our own interests. What do you think God wants us to do? God loves the animals. He is merciful and wants us to be merciful. Throughout the bible, God repeatedly tells us to choose mercy and love. (Luke 6:36, Matt 9:13, Prov 3:3-4, Prov 11:17, Micah 6:8, Matt 5:7, Matt 25:35-40,45, James 2:13, etc)
I don’t say this to be judgmental, because I believe that many people simply don’t fully realize what the animals who ended up on their plate went through. Many people don’t want to look into it, because perhaps on some level they know they won’t like what they find out. As I’ve mentioned in other posts, when it comes to Christians, I believe that there is a sort of blindness in this area. God may permit meat-eating, but that does not mean it’s what God wants us to do.
God’s nature does not change. In the beginning, He made this world a place of peace and harmony, and we were all given a 100% plant-based diet. (Gen 1:29-30) His word says that He knows every bird, (Psalm 50:11, Matt 10:29) and His mercy extends to all of creation. (Psalm 145:9) We also know through the scriptures that God is going to restore that peaceable world that He created in the beginning. (Is 11:6-9, Is 65:17) God has not changed, but He lets us make choices, either good or bad.
An Awakening is happening
I believe that an awakening is happening. With the Internet and especially with social media, now we can learn more about the animals that people eat. We can learn that they each have their own story, they are all unique, individual, sentient beings. And once we get to know them in that way, as individuals, the scales begin to fall from our eyes.
I’ll give you an example, this couple who went vegan, after the wife had an epiphany while following the story of Dudley, a beautiful young bull at the Gentle Barn Sanctuary. This woman fell in love with Dudley (and who wouldn’t?) and then realized that she was being hypocritical by loving one cow and then going home and feeding her family another cow.
Every cow, pig, turkey, chicken or lamb that people eat are individual souls, childlike innocent beings who trust us and rely on us. And we betray their trust.
Let’s not forget that God’s word states that cruelty to animals is wicked, (Prov 12:10) and there are scriptures that show animals have basic rights. (Deut 25:4, Prov 27:23, Ex 23:12, etc.) In my view, betraying these childlike beings, when it is completely unnecessary, is cruel, in and of itself. But many Christians don’t see it that way, either out of blissful unawareness of what takes place, or perhaps because of wrong ideas about animals in general.
Let’s not live according to might makes right. Let’s get back to our original role as caretakers of creation, image-bearers of God… the God who loves and knows each and every animal that He created.
Let us not betray these precious innocent beings any longer.
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