Christianity's Call for Animal Welfare: Why Are Many Leaders Silent

Christianity has deep-rooted biblical and historical reasons to advocate for animal rights, yet many leaders remain curiously silent on the matter. Why is this?

We often shower our pets with affection and care, sometimes going to great lengths—like spending hundreds of dollars on medications for a goldfish or providing palliative care for a terminally ill dog. It’s heartwarming to see such dedication to our companion animals. But this caring attitude seems to starkly contrast with how we treat animals in other contexts.

Every year, over 80 billion farmed animals are slaughtered for meat, alongside trillions of fish. Additionally, around 192 million animals are used in experiments annually, some for medical progress, others for testing products like cosmetics. Unlike our beloved pets, these animals are often nameless and faceless, subjected to lives of suffering in laboratories and factory farms.

This disparity raises an important question: why do we separate intelligent animals like dogs and pigs into different categories—one where we nurture them, and another where we consume them without much thought about their conditions?

Christian teachings offer some guidance. In Genesis, God seemingly advocates for a plant-based diet and makes a covenant not just with humans but with every living creature. Proverbs reminds us that a righteous person cares for the life of their beast. This raises doubts about whether factory farming practices truly reflect such care.

Jesus used analogies of a mother hen’s care for her chicks and the good shepherd’s love for his flock. These teachings might suggest that mercy extends beyond humans to all creatures.

Throughout history, Christian views on animals have been varied. Thomas Aquinas saw animals as existing for human benefit, a view echoed by Martin Luther who considered animals as mankind’s possessions. In contrast, early Christian saints like St. Francis of Assisi treated animals with profound respect and kindness, viewing them as kin. St. Francis even rescued lambs from slaughter and made peace with a local wolf. His biographer, St. Bonaventure, emphasized seeing divine wisdom in all creatures, advocating for reverence and care.

In modern times, William Wilberforce, known for his fight against slavery, also co-founded the RSPCA with Rev Arthur Broome, showing a commitment to animal welfare. Theologians like Dr. Jurgen Moltmann and Pope John Paul II have affirmed that harming animals is an affront to God. Pope Francis echoed this sentiment, stressing our interconnectedness with all living beings. One might strongly encourage Christians to realign their faith with animal welfare, advocating for reforms in production systems that disregard the well-being of animals!

Despite these voices within Christianity advocating for animal compassion, there is a noticeable lack of widespread support from church leaders. This silence represents a challenge for the faith community to address and act upon the suffering of animals.

As Saint Isaac the Syrian wrote centuries ago, a merciful heart should be “on fire for the whole of creation,” encompassing humanity, animals, and all living beings. It’s time for Christian leaders to embrace this vision and speak out against the suffering of our fellow creatures.

Image Title "Francis at a Factory Farm" / Source: eaforchristians.org