Christian Perceptions of Livestock Animals

Genesis 2 has God allowing Adam to name the animals (I believe signifying mastership and stewardship over them).

Deuteronomy 25:4 suggests that people must be humane with those animals that we use for work.

Initially people were made vegeatarians, but after the Fall, were allowed to become meat eaters, according to the Genesis account.

Edit: Check out the first verses of Genesis 9:1-4 as well, and look up the story of Balaam’s ass (can’t remember where that is)

Typically, livestock is associated with possessions, as Israel was an agrarian society. Animal sacrifice was considered normal, as was consuming kosher meat. Today, Jewish authorities claim that the kosher method of killing animals for meat is quick and painless. Today, Judaism does not have a functioning temple, so the Passover meal does not contain the lamb that was required in the days when it did have a temple or tabernacle.

Abuse or neglect of animals however, is frowned upon. You can kill an animal for meat, but you're supposed to take good care of it. If you hunt, the meat must be used for food. He gave us animals to eat, but not to toy with.

The first five books of the Bible set the precedent for what is acceptable in how one treats an animal. The other books report what was done. These were the standards Jesus lived by, though he never had to prepare an animal for his own sins because he had no sins. He did eat the lamb at the Passover meal, as the temple was still standing at that time and the lamb would not have been excluded. He not only ate fish, but he provided his disciples with fish to eat on multiple occasions. These accounts can be found in the first four books of the New Testament.

You could include in Your studies that many nordic people with wolf problems are very angry at the government since their sheep are attacked by wolves often numerous times before they are allowed a high fence to keep the wolves away. Wolves can kill 20 sheep one night or day and eat maybe one and the owner is not allowed to shoot the wolf. The owners also might see His or her sheep get attacked and killed by the wolves and is legally not allowed to do anything exept fill in papers afterward on how many was attacked and killed and then afterwards apply for a wolffence. Sheepowners do not usually see it as ethical whether they are christian or not. Many believe it is more ethical to have a few sheep if they have no wolfproblem and eat them instead of buying meat from another country where they have no idea how the animals where treated. Sheep here eat grass on the fields, foodleftovers, food made for sheep, grain, hay and they have a saltstone, shelter for wind at summer and usually a barn at winter, they also need fresh water everyday. Christians do not have to eat kosher. Killing a sheep can be done with a handgun in the head and often the owner is attached to His or Her sheep and has someone else to do the slaughter. After the slaughter, the body needs to be taken to a cold hygienic place like a hunters slaughterhouse where the wool is collected, bodies are taken out of intestines and it needs to hang in low temperature for some day and then it need to be cut or (sawed into kotelettes) in suitable pieces and packed in airtight bags and frozen or refrigerated or brought to be smoked.

Bryony said:

Hi there,
I'm a university student currently researching animal ethics - my current project is focused on societal and religious perceptions of livestock animals. Sad to say that although I was raised in a (partially) Christian environment, I don't know a great deal of what the Bible tells us; more specifically I'm not sure how much detail it goes into about animal uses and perceptions. I was wondering if I could get some help and opinions of more knowledgeable/devout Christians. Thank you for your help!

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Proverbs chapter 12 verse 10
The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.

I don't know if this is what you want.

Bryony said:

Hi there,
I'm a university student currently researching animal ethics - my current project is focused on societal and religious perceptions of livestock animals. Sad to say that although I was raised in a (partially) Christian environment, I don't know a great deal of what the Bible tells us; more specifically I'm not sure how much detail it goes into about animal uses and perceptions. I was wondering if I could get some help and opinions of more knowledgeable/devout Christians. Thank you for your help!

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***

The Lord's "food guidelines" are quite extensive, they are in the Leviticus 11 if you want to read about them.

Yes, there are others who will disagree because there are other verses that appear to contradict this ... but .... God was telling us .... these are not food for us. All these "creatures" haven't changed since that time, so why would His guidelines change?

I don't find anything that "refutes" these guidelines.

For Instance: This is why a lot of people don't eat pork ... they are garbage cans. Catfish, bottom feeders ... garbage cans.

When one looks at all the "do not eat" most of them are pretty understandable why, they are usually predators or "natures garbage cans". No brainer.

But ... since there are so many "no brainers", then no doubt what is said not to eat is with His good reason of which we may not understand. One way or another, they are not good for us.

Health wise: Optimum healthy diet is fruits, vegetables, grains, herbs. (vegetarian diet)

Before the fall of mankind Adam and Eve .... the food provided for them did not include animals at all. Everything was in harmony. This will also be the case of those who are taken to Heaven at His 2nd coming. After all is done in it's complete entirety and He creates a new heaven and earth, everything will be in perfect harmony, the environment, the animals, us everything existing on earth and the earth itself.... complete absolute harmony ..... "restoration" of the original garden of Eden before the fall. Living with our creator! WOW Can't wait myself ... guess I'll have to LOL

You will of course get people, giving you verses that appear to contradict this. But keep in mind ... is the word "meat" all "meat" including the not eat meats? Read these verses carefully and in context.

God Bless.

Bryony said:

Hi there,
I'm a university student currently researching animal ethics - my current project is focused on societal and religious perceptions of livestock animals. Sad to say that although I was raised in a (partially) Christian environment, I don't know a great deal of what the Bible tells us; more specifically I'm not sure how much detail it goes into about animal uses and perceptions. I was wondering if I could get some help and opinions of more knowledgeable/devout Christians. Thank you for your help!

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Hello, and welcome to CF!

I hope you find the answers you need, and then feel free to stick around for friendship and conversation.

I'm not sure specifically which ethics you are concerned with.

Mankind was given dominion over creation - including all animals. But rather than subjugating it, he is responsible to care for it.

Animals are to be treated humanely - provided for, tended, not made to suffer.

Man was not initially given animals for food, but later that changed (in the covenant with Noah).

There were extensive dietary laws given to Israel. Some Christians maintain these continue - ours does not based on the instructions of the Apostles to the gentile converts in the first century.

Sometimes folks come along claiming that one must be vegetarian to be Christian. It is fine to have such convictions for ones own self, not wanting to contribute to death, for example, and that fits nicely within a Christian ethos, but it is NOT something to bind on other Christians and not demanded by God.

If there is a conflict between the supplying basic needs for humans and what happens to animals, the humans should be cared for, without harming the animals, but the animals are secondary to human life. Again, though, ALL must be treated humanely. There is never an excuse for cruelty (though of course it happens, but it is not a Christian ideal).

Those are all the moral issues I can think of relating to livestock ...

eleos1954 said:

The Lord's "food guidelines" are quite extensive, they are in the Leviticus 11 if you want to read about them.

Yes, there are others who will disagree because there are other verses that appear to contradict this ... but .... God was telling us .... these are not food for us. All these "creatures" haven't changed since that time, so why would His guidelines change?

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The foods that Jews could and could not eat were restricted only to Jews. Genesis 9 is to all people. What we can learn from the laws written to the Jews (on this topic) is the general concept of how God views animals.

~Anastasia~ said:

Sometimes folks come along claiming that one must be vegetarian to be Christian. It is fine to have such convictions for ones own self, not wanting to contribute to death, for example, and that fits nicely within a Christian ethos, but it is NOT something to bind on other Christians and not demanded by God.

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I would go so far as to say it is sinful to find it morally better to not eat meat than to eat it, because it is claiming to be morally better than Jesus was in this area of life.

Sketcher said:

I would go so far as to say it is sinful to find it morally better to not eat meat than to eat it, because it is claiming to be morally better than Jesus was in this area of life.

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I actually agree. Pride would be a much more serious sin.

But there are some who simply view death as the enemy, and don't eat any meat for that reason. If done for a Christian reason of despising death, there is nothing wrong with that.

The people I am speaking of would be very very aware of the problem of pride, since that is a much more basic sin.

So yes, you are right, if it was undertaken with such an attitude of thinking oneself better. I was trying to be succinct (never easy for me lol) and stay with only the topic at hand though.

God be with you.

Sketcher said:

The foods that Jews could and could not eat were restricted only to Jews. Genesis 9 is to all people. What we can learn from the laws written to the Jews (on this topic) is the general concept of how God views animals.

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Restricted for Jews only? So all the non-Jews are exempt from the "food guidelines" in Leviticus? So, these are ok for non-Jews but not ok for Jews? Or is ok for both Jews and non-Jews?

4Nevertheless, among those that chew the cud or part the hoof, you shall not eat these: The camel, because it chews the cud but does not part the hoof, is unclean to you. 5And the rock badger, because it chews the cud but does not part the hoof, is unclean to you. 6And the hare, because it chews the cud but does not part the hoof, is unclean to you. 7And the pig, because it parts the hoof and is cloven-footed but does not chew the cud, is unclean to you. 8You shall not eat any of their flesh, and you shall not touch their carcasses; they are unclean to you.

10But anything in the seas or the rivers that does not have fins and scales, of the swarming creatures in the waters and of the living creatures that are in the waters, is detestable to you. 11You shall regard them as detestable; you shall not eat any of their flesh, and you shall detest their carcasses. 12Everything in the waters that does not have fins and scales is detestable to you.

13“And these you shall detest among the birds;a they shall not be eaten; they are detestable: the eagle,b the bearded vulture, the black vulture, 14the kite, the falcon of any kind, 15every raven of any kind, 16the ostrich, the nighthawk, the sea gull, the hawk of any kind, 17the little owl, the cormorant, the short-eared owl, 18the barn owl, the tawny owl, the carrion vulture, 19the stork, the heron of any kind, the hoopoe, and the bat.

20“All winged insects that go on all fours are detestable to you.

Genesis 9 is to all people. What verse please?

eleos1954 said:

Restricted for Jews only? So all the non-Jews are exempt from the "food guidelines" in Leviticus? So, these are ok for non-Jews but not ok for Jews? Or is ok for both Jews and non-Jews?

4Nevertheless, among those that chew the cud or part the hoof, you shall not eat these: The camel, because it chews the cud but does not part the hoof, is unclean to you. 5And the rock badger, because it chews the cud but does not part the hoof, is unclean to you. 6And the hare, because it chews the cud but does not part the hoof, is unclean to you. 7And the pig, because it parts the hoof and is cloven-footed but does not chew the cud, is unclean to you. 8You shall not eat any of their flesh, and you shall not touch their carcasses; they are unclean to you.

10But anything in the seas or the rivers that does not have fins and scales, of the swarming creatures in the waters and of the living creatures that are in the waters, is detestable to you. 11You shall regard them as detestable; you shall not eat any of their flesh, and you shall detest their carcasses. 12Everything in the waters that does not have fins and scales is detestable to you.

13“And these you shall detest among the birds;a they shall not be eaten; they are detestable: the eagle,b the bearded vulture, the black vulture, 14the kite, the falcon of any kind, 15every raven of any kind, 16the ostrich, the nighthawk, the sea gull, the hawk of any kind, 17the little owl, the cormorant, the short-eared owl, 18the barn owl, the tawny owl, the carrion vulture, 19the stork, the heron of any kind, the hoopoe, and the bat.

20“All winged insects that go on all fours are detestable to you.

Genesis 9 is to all people. What verse please?

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The Law of Moses was given only to the Jews, God said in Leviticus 11:45: "For I am the LORD who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God." He only brought the Jews out of Egypt, it was to the Jews only that he was giving these commands. Genesis 9 is for all people, because that was the covenant God made with Noah, we are all descended from Noah, as it was his family that repopulated the earth.

Shoetoyou said:

Deuteronomy 25:4 suggests that people must be humane with those animals that we use for work.

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See also Deuteronomy 22:6-7, Exodus 23:5, and Proverbs 12:10. The first of those comes with an implied divine threat.

Sketcher said:

The Law of Moses was given only to the Jews, God said in Leviticus 11:45: "For I am the LORD who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God." He only brought the Jews out of Egypt, it was to the Jews only that he was giving these commands. Genesis 9 is for all people, because that was the covenant God made with Noah, we are all descended from Noah, as it was his family that repopulated the earth.

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After re=reading the original post, I believe you and I strayed off the original "topic".

Here's the original post:

*****
Hi there,

I'm a university student currently researching animal ethics - my current project is focused on societal and religious perceptions of livestock animals. Sad to say that although I was raised in a (partially) Christian environment, I don't know a great deal of what the Bible tells us; more specifically I'm not sure how much detail it goes into about animal uses and perceptions. I was wondering if I could get some help and opinions of more knowledgeable/devout Christians. Thank you for your help!

****

Now - What I provided was directed at "ethics" - "animal uses" ... and them being used as food, including "livestock". Animals are "used for food". The phrases "other uses" and "perceptions of livestock animals" can cover a variety of things, more clarification is needed on this (i.e. care, treatment, hunting aspects, using them for work, clothing etc.) from the original poster. With that being said, so if you are saying the "food guidelines" are for Jews only ... I agree to disagree. My postings regarding that subject matter (animals for food - one "use" of animals - (livestock (domestic) are contained in those "food guidelines" (are biblically correct and in line with one aspect contained in the original topic) animal "uses".

Now, regarding the "new topic(s)" you have brought up which are unrelated to the original topic (uses of animals). If you would like to have discussion on different topics or specific topic(s) (i.e. Jews only, Law of Moses, covenants, commandments, etc) Then a new thread (topic for discussion), should be started . I would be happy to have conversation on those topics, so they can remain in context within the topic(s) as much as possible.

Getting off topic is easy to do for various reasons, I catch myself doing that at times. As conversation progresses one thing leads to another. Most times it comes from not fully understanding (context), misunderstanding the original questions(s) and/or not having adequate information in the question(s) themselves.

God Bless.

Sketcher said:

I would go so far as to say it is sinful to find it morally better to not eat meat than to eat it, because it is claiming to be morally better than Jesus was in this area of life.

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I would say that if someone is a vegetarian and has been for a while, they can not eat meat, if they try most likely they will throw up after some minute on their way to the bathroom. I know, I have been a vegetarian before and many christians have tried their faith on me, and their nice carpet, It was always a nightmare that I would throw up on someones expensive carpet but as soon as I had time enough I started to try to teach myself at home to slowly eat meat fish, and chicken first but it took maybe two years before I did not throw up of pork. So with all wellmeaning, some vegetarians might be slender and thin but their digestive system probably does not tolerate meat very well. If You do not know what to cook for them ask them, rather than hide the beef and pray and then the vegetarian pukes anyway because the body works that way and then You think they are anorectic... of course... a bit since there are so many christians that serve meat and pray rather than leave all meatbrath and meat out and serve a salad and some brockolipie with cheese instead of meat. Some can eat eggs and milk too.

Bryony said:

Hi there,
I'm a university student currently researching animal ethics - my current project is focused on societal and religious perceptions of livestock animals. Sad to say that although I was raised in a (partially) Christian environment, I don't know a great deal of what the Bible tells us; more specifically I'm not sure how much detail it goes into about animal uses and perceptions. I was wondering if I could get some help and opinions of more knowledgeable/devout Christians. Thank you for your help!

Click to expand...

God gave man dominion over the animal kingdom, to steward it wisely. Because man is fallen in Adam, man's effort to steward God's creation is corrupt. It is not wrong or immoral to eat meat. I am not aware, although there may be passages on this I have not yet come across, that it is a sin to eat meat. It is foolishness and poor stewardship to make an animal suffer needlessly during the butchering process, but it is not a sin to eat meat.

Genesis 1:28-30 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” (29) And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. (30) And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so.

Roseonathorn said:

I would say that if someone is a vegetarian and has been for a while, they can not eat meat, if they try most likely they will throw up after some minute on their way to the bathroom. I know, I have been a vegetarian before and many christians have tried their faith on me, and their nice carpet, It was always a nightmare that I would throw up on someones expensive carpet but as soon as I had time enough I started to try to teach myself at home to slowly eat meat fish, and chicken first but it took maybe two years before I did not throw up of pork. So with all wellmeaning, some vegetarians might be slender and thin but their digestive system probably does not tolerate meat very well. If You do not know what to cook for them ask them, rather than hide the beef and pray and then the vegetarian pukes anyway because the body works that way and then You think they are anorectic... of course... a bit since there are so many christians that serve meat and pray rather than leave all meatbrath and meat out and serve a salad and some brockolipie with cheese instead of meat. Some can eat eggs and milk too.

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Right, if someone can't eat meat because of digestive issues or if they don't eat it because they don't like it, that's a different thing entirely, certainly not sin. Those are not moral reasons for their diet, but practical ones.

Sketcher said:

Right, if someone can't eat meat because of digestive issues or if they don't eat it because they don't like it, that's a different thing entirely, certainly not sin. Those are not moral reasons for their diet, but practical ones.

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First I hate pork so if I have to eat pork or be a full vegetarian then I'd be a full vegetarian, but the truth is that after a while the body quit producing enzymes that digests any meatproducts... so there it is. One can not choose if digestive does not work or not like meat it is like this I love chicken and fish but I could still not keep it inside for longer than say five- ten minutes. Then I had only a tablespoon full those times. So yes it is an exellent weightlossmethod If you often rely on christians cooking for you, become vegetarian, tell them you are vegetarian. I weighed 50 kg to my almost 170 cm for five years and did run some mornings only half an hour. You will most likely go from lunch and dinner haungry like many days in the week, sneak in to the mall and buy a salad or cucumber after dinner and eat it as it is. Your personal secret. Eat grean get lean.