God loves animals

[GodLovesCats]

Recently I was in a heated argument with other CF posters who think God does not love animals - at least not as much as He loves people. The thread starter thinks God does not love animals at all. I assume you guys are much more likely to support my views on this - that the Bible clearly states God loves all of the things He made and cares about every animal. Do you agree?

 

[Christ is Lord]

Of course God loves animals. I don't see how one can come up with a Biblical argument to say otherwise.

 

[Basil the Great]

This thread reminds me of the Oh God film. At the end of the movie, God, played by George Burns, tells John Denver that he is going away to spend time with the animals.

 

[Silverback]

Recently I was in a heated argument with other CF posters who think God does not love animals - at least not as much as He loves people. The thread starter thinks God does not love animals at all. I assume you guys are much more likely to support my views on this - that the Bible clearly states God loves all of the things He made and cares about every animal. Do you agree?

Agree

 

[rockytopva]

Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn. - Deuteronomy 25:4
Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk. - Exodus 3:19 Exodus 34:26 Deuteronomy 14:21
Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. - Matthew 10:29
For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. - Romans 8:21-23

I believe that animals have souls, minds, spirits, feelings, just as we human beings. The difference being that we will be held accountable for our actions and they will not. I believe we will be accountable also for the treatment of the creatures, which belong to the Father.

The old Virginian Saint Robert Sheffey could not bare to see even the flies suffer and here is the story...

The start of the train snapped his head forward, and frantically he reached for the seat in front of him and held on. He did not release his grip until they came to the town of Christiansburg, some fifteen miles; distant and only then at the insistence of the conductor. He started to get off the train at Roanoke, sure that, such a sprawling collection of buildings had to be Lynchburg and that Eddie waited to meet him. He was restrained with gentleness by the conductor, whom he liked better the farther the train traveled, but who in turn seemed to be showing a decidedly growing impatience with him.

With the, outskirts of Roanoke behind them, he sat back and let his full weight rest against the seat. It was a wonderful way to ride; the movement was much gentler than that he felt when upon Gideon;s cantering back. Suddenly he was completely at ease. Then his eye caught a hanging strip of paper coming down from the ceiling of the coach. He studied it closely for a moment and squinched up his eyes, trying to make out what the black dots on the paper were. Reluctantly he turned and asked the well-dressed woman behind him what the strip was. She remained reserved, and her passive face seemed to be making a silent inquiry as to whether his question was serious or not.

"Good sister, I said I did not understand what the paper was hanging from the ceiling for!"

"Its flypaper;" she said, with a friendlier look now.

"What paper?"

"Flypaper. It has sticky glue on both sides of it to catch the flies in the coach and kill them. there such a nuisance, you know."

He observed the flypaper jiggle about in the breeze from the open window and dance to the rhythm of the rolling wheels. With close concentration he could see the flies soar up from the floor and become fastened by wing or leg to the quagmire of glue that would never release them.

The more he watched, the less he could stand the sight. He rose from his seat and picked off each fly as gently as he could, dropping them into his hat and taking care to cover the opening with a red bandana. He could not rescue all of them from their sticky grave, and sometimes they came off minus a leg or wing, but he finished the task and headed back toward his window seat to set the captives free.

 

[GodLovesCats]

I believe that animals have souls, minds, spirits, feelings, just as we human beings. The difference being that we will be held accountable for our actions and they will not. I believe we will be accountable also for the treatment of the creatures, which belong to the Father.

Not all animals have brains, but those that do definitely feel love, fear, anger, jealousy, joy, and sadness. Because they can't know God, they can't sin, so I have no reason to doubt they are eligible for a free ride to heaven.

 

[rockytopva]

"Gods grace and lovingkindness are things of reality to be drunk and savored within ones soul." - The Reverend Robert Sayers Sheffey

And for this man... Such grace and lovingkindness extended to the animals as well.

 

[GodLovesCats]

Later I will post Bible verses that prove God wants animals that are not for food to live and be happy.

 

[musicalpilgrim]

Animals are created by God, fish and birds, he loves all the creatures that he has made.
I thank and praise God for them. I bless and magnify our wonderful Creator for the creatures that inhabit the earth with us.

 

[GodLovesCats]

20 And God said, “Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the vault of the sky.” 21 So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 22 God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth.” 23 And there was evening, and there was morning—the fifth day.

24 And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: the livestock, the creatures that move along the ground, and the wild animals, each according to its kind.” And it was so. 25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.

30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.”

This is the first way - but far from the only one - God makes it very clear He loves every animal He made.

 

[Not David]

20 And God said, “Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the vault of the sky.” 21 So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 22 God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth.” 23 And there was evening, and there was morning—the fifth day.

24 And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: the livestock, the creatures that move along the ground, and the wild animals, each according to its kind.” And it was so. 25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.

This is the first way - but far from the only one - God makes it very clear He loves every animal He made.

He is just doing a big strawman, somehow loving animals makes you an "animal worshipper".

 

[GodLovesCats]

David, did you come here just to tell me a stupid lie, or seriously have no idea what the blue text means? It is obvious to anyone who read the post it is Genesis 1:20-25, 30 and therefore written by God Himself. So the only person you can be calling a strawman is the one you claim to worship . . . Jesus Christ.

I specifically started this thread to express the facts about God's love for all animal species with people who already agree with me, read the Bible correctly, and want to understand eveyrthing Scripture says. You are the opposite of those people.

 

[Not David]

David, did you come here just to tell me a stupid lie, or seriously have no idea what the blue text means? It is obvious to anyone who read the post it is Genesis 1:20-25, 30 and therefore written by God Himself. So the only person you can be calling a strawman is the one you claim to worship . . . Jesus Christ.

I specifically started this thread to express the facts about God's love for all animal species with people who already agree with me, read the Bible correctly, and want to understand eveyrthing Scripture says. You are the opposite of those people.

I will forget the fact you were rude to me even though I was criticizing Daniel and defending you.

 

[hellothere]

Recently I was in a heated argument with other CF posters who think God does not love animals - at least not as much as He loves people. The thread starter thinks God does not love animals at all. I assume you guys are much more likely to support my views on this - that the Bible clearly states God loves all of the things He made and cares about every animal. Do you agree?

Genesis 9:3
Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.

God loves his creation in the sense that "it is good" but he doesn't love animals by giving them dignity and telling people to not harm them. Also, plants and rocks would be considered his creation as well. If we're talking about the kind of love God applies to humans then does it seem loving to give animals as food for humans? That's really all animals are is food and tools for us to use. Also to keep us company and have something to pet. I don't see where in the Bible you think God says he has a deep love for animals or why you think that to begin with. Animals can never love God or even assert his existence.

 

[GodLovesCats]

I will forget the fact you were rude to me even though I was criticizing Daniel and defending you.

It would help if you said who "he" is. Also, I have Asperger's syndrome so I cannot always recognize when people are being sarcastic.

I am done with Daniel. He has no business telling me that crap about God and how animals are not loved by their own Creator.

 

[GodLovesCats]

Genesis 9:3
Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.

God loves his creation in the sense that "it is good" but he doesn't love animals by giving them dignity and telling people to not harm them. Also, plants and rocks would be considered his creation as well.

Actually He does tell people not to harm animals. Numbers 22 sends a powerful message:

32 The angel of the Lord asked him, “Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me. 33 The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If it had not turned away, I would certainly have killed you by now, but I would have spared it.”

The angel would rather kill a person who committed animal cruelty than a donkey who did nothing wrong. Is that not giving dignity to the donkey?

If we're talking about the kind of love God applies to humans then does it seem loving to give animals as food for humans? That's really all animals are is food and tools for us to use. Also to keep us company and have something to pet.

There are limits on which animals can be food, of course. Nowhere does the Bible support Chinese people eating cats and dogs, for example. What tools are made from animals that don't need to be? During Bible times, people had to kill animals to use their fur and bones, but they are no longer necessary.

I don't see where in the Bible you think God says he has a deep love for animals or why you think that to begin with. Animals can never love God or even assert his existence.

Many people can never love God either because they have no access to the Bible (or are forbidden by law in their lands to read it). Does God hate them, or only their sins?

I cannot see any reason to believe God would create anything He does not like. If He created animals, He is expected to love them because He is a loving God. They don't have to love God to be loved.

 

[mmksparbud]

It would help if you said who "he" is. Also, I have Asperger's syndrome so I cannot always recognize when people are being sarcastic.

I am done with Daniel. He has no business telling me that crap about God and how animals are not loved by their own Creator.

I left that thread---He was coming off as putting all animal lovers down and those, like him who didn't, as being superior. Had to leave before I said something that would have kicked me off!!

I had a St. Bernard, years ago. He was the most loving animal ever. Loved children, you could literally reach into his mouth and take food away from him and he would not react except to wag his tail. Children played with him while he gnawed on raw bones and would take the bone from him and play with it and he'd just happily let them. We had a restaurant/motel then and we were blessed he was so very friendly.
We had sold it and moved and after a few years a new guy moved in above us. He came to me the next day and complained that my dog was chasing him and wanting to bite him. I said I'd watch him better and thought, all this dog wants to do is play! The next day I was walking with my dog right beside me when this guy came around to talk to me. As soon as Little John saw him, every hair on him went up. He lowered his head, the growl that came from him would have scared the devil himself and he barked once--We had heard him bark at a deer only once before and it didn't sound anything like this awful sound. He took off after the guy. I was terrified and I chased after him hoping he would not turn on me also. The guy went up a tree and Little John was trying desperately to climb after him digging his claws into the tree and still with that awful growl/bark. I finally got a hold of his collar and dragged him to the apartment, it took all my strength. It took me about 15 minutes to calm him down---he was growling, spit flying everywhere and he was stomping his front paws on the floor. My sweet baby had turned into Cujo. He finally calmed down. And he was fine again, back to his old sweet self- The guy moved out right away. My dog never reacted like that with anyone ever again. The landlord told me he trusted Little John's instincts for he had not liked the guy at all but he rented to him anyway--he was glad the guy was gone! I have no doubt whatsoever that if Little John had gotten ahold of that guy, he would have ripped his throat out! Though I am glad he didn't, I wonder what Little John saved me from. For it was at this time that some woman had been found murdered close to where we lived.

 

[hellothere]

Actually He does tell people not to harm animals. Numbers 22 sends a powerful message:

32 The angel of the Lord asked him, “Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me. 33 The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If it had not turned away, I would certainly have killed you by now, but I would have spared it.”

So God tells us not to abuse animals but says we should kill them. If he said it's ok to beat animals then he's being sadistic and I don't think it's ok to beat animals either because they have a nervous system and can feel and experience pain. I would consider killing harm so taking that into consideration God doesn't care if we harm animals by just killing them for food.

The angel would rather kill a person who committed animal cruelty than a donkey who did nothing wrong. Is that not giving dignity to the donkey?

No, it's just saying you shouldn't beat animals because they can feel pain and they have done nothing wrong nor have the ability to do wrong. What kind of dignity allows you to be killed for human consumption?


There are limits on which animals can be food, of course. Nowhere does the Bible support Chinese people eating cats and dogs, for example. What tools are made from animals that don't need to be? During Bible times, people had to kill animals to use their fur and bones, but they are no longer necessary.

So is it ok to kill people if it's necessary for warmth? Even you aren't equating the value of animals to humans. When I said tools though I was referring to riding horses and donkeys, but they can also be killed for tools. Nowhere does it not support people eating cats and dogs. Only reason we say don't eat them is because we've domesticated them as pets. If I was hunting and there was a wild dog who I knew was nobody's pet then I'd kill it. Also, are you saying God loves certain types of animals but not others? God told Noah to eat anything that moves. So at least during that time there were no restrictions.

Many people can never love God either because they have no access to the Bible (or are forbidden by law in their lands to read it). Does God hate them, or only their sins?

He hates them because of their sins and he has not shown mercy for them. The Bible repeatedly says God hates the wicked, those he has not credited righteousness to (Psalms 11:5, Psalms 5:4-6, Hosea 9:15, Leviticus 20:23). Why would God send people to hell for all eternity if he loves them? Would you send someone you love to hell? He sends sinners to hell, not sin. You might say they send themselves, but nobody would willfully jump into hell if they are looking over the edge. God doesn't give them that kind of decision to make or we'd all be saved.

I cannot see any reason to believe God would create anything He does not like. If He created animals, He is expected to love them because He is a loving God. They don't have to love God to be loved.

I didn't say God dislikes animals, I'm just saying he doesn't love them. God likes the fruit he made but doesn't tell us not to harm the fruit by eating it. He likes the trees he made but is ok with us hammering nails in them. God is a loving God but also a just God. Nowhere in the bible does it say God loves every person including the people he sends to hell, in fact it says the opposite. That's been created by Christians who don't want to accept the truth that seems a bit ugly to them.

My comments are in the grey.

 

[GodLovesCats]

Little John had good instincts to sniff out the bad guy. Some dogs are really good at telling who bad guys are.

 

[GodLovesCats]

I didn't say God dislikes animals, I'm just saying he doesn't love them. God likes the fruit he made but doesn't tell us not to harm the fruit by eating it. He likes the trees he made but is OK with us hammering nails in them. God is a loving God but also a just God. Nowhere in the Bible does it say God loves every person including the people he sends to hell, in fact it says the opposite. That's been created by Christians who don't want to accept the truth that seems a bit ugly to them.

God gave us plants to eat. Of course, plants do not have minds or feelings, so they don't care about being cut, chopped, sliced, shredded, minced, or torn apart.

Staying on the thread topic, do you believe because animals can't sin, we will see them in heaven?