Is killing animals for no reason wrong?

[seebs]

So, having been raised in a nice, fluffy, environment with no resource shortages, I've been raised to think that of *course* animals should be treated kindly and taken care of, and only killed when they're dangerous, or to make food.

However, I can't find anything clear on this in Scripture, and indeed, a lot of people take the thing in Genesis about lordship and dominion to mean that we can do whatever we want to animals.

So... What are your opinions? Should animals be treated with any kind of respect? Is torturing an animal for no reason other than fun a sin, and if so, why? If not, why not?

(Not asking because I could dream of being mean to fuzzy little kitties, but because your answers are fascinating, and often open new avenues of study.)

 

[Josephus]

We are responsible for our dominion, but that doesn't mean God is no longer King of the Universe. We answer to God. Would a God of love torture and maim animals? No. Therefore we're not following His will for our responsibility of this planet, if we ever engage in such sinful behavior.

It boils down to this: what is sin? It's the rebellion rejection of God and His Will. Simple as that. Find what God's will is, and everything opposite of that is sin and rebellion - very bad indeed.

 

[Auntie]

Proverbs 12:10 A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

 

[seebs]

Originally posted by Josephus
We are responsible for our dominion, but that doesn't mean God is no longer King of the Universe. We answer to God. Would a God of love torture and maim animals? No. Therefore we're not following His will for our responsibility of this planet, if we ever engage in such sinful behavior.

It boils down to this: what is sin? It's the rebellion rejection of God and His Will. Simple as that. Find what God's will is, and everything opposite of that is sin and rebellion - very bad indeed.

Nicely argued! Thanks, next time someone tells me that animals don't count at all, I have a good counterargument.

 

[Freodin]

According to the Bible, God thinks the smell of burned meat sweet (Genesis 8,21).

So I think it would be ok to set fire to animals. (Small fluffy ones for preference)







Oops, now where is the "sarcasm off" button?

 

[seebs]

I am hiding my cat, and I am not telling you where I put him.

(hmm. So, Josephus, any chance of a "followups to ask josephus questions" forum for stuff like this?)

 

[Josephus]

Follow-ups move off to the appropriate discussion forum. This one would go to the General Theology, but as the recent poster posted an issue, I wish to address it here:

You say God loves the smell of burned meat?

Well, read up a bit further. You'll find that the animal was already dead. Not burnt alive. Burning something alive is cruel. Burning something dead for the purpose of eating, or sacrifice,... is not. Would you agree? If not, and if you think burning something dead is in fact cruel, then you may have to consider not eating any cooked meat.

 

[seebs]

I'm still hiding my cat.

 

[Freodin]

Question of the thread:
"Is killing animals for no reason wrong?"

I would say yes. But now we have to discuss, what is "no reason".

Eating is a reason. Defense is a reason. Now, sacrifice is a reason - and here we already start to disagree.

I would say, if God wants to smell burned meat, he should kill and roast it himself. You might say otherwise.

But now, can we say that "because it´s fun" is no reason to kill an animal?

Where do you stop with reasons?

 

[Freodin]

And, seebs, no matter where you hide your cat, the Evil Arsonist will find it. Mwahahahahaha!!!!!

 

[Josephus]

"I would say, if God wants to smell burned meat, he should kill and roast it himself. You might say otherwise."

Because sacrifice is more than just offering food to God. What is a sacrifice other than something that which is dear to you, and you take the time to prepare and set aside for God?

 

[Freodin]

This gets off topic now. But sacrifice in itself is a very interesting topic. I will try to collect a few thoughts on it and post them on the general forum.

 

[thehomeland]

I think it really boils down to needs versus wants. If you get a thrill off killing an animal and don't have any legitimate purpose in mind, yes, I would find that questionable.

Honestly, consider what good can possibly come from merciless hunting of prey for no legitmate reason? (whether a reason is legitmate is another question )

 

[JohnR7]

>>So... What are your opinions? Should animals be treated with any kind of respect? Is torturing an animal for no reason other than fun a sin, and if so, why? If not, why not?

A good man takes good care of his animals. They are strong and healthy, well fed and well cared for. A evil man abuses animals, they are sick and uncared for.

One way you can tell if someone is going to heaven or not, is by looking at how they treat their animals.

 

[gasm]

Torchering an animal is wrong no doubt. But if you are killing an animal for sport (ex. a deer) and you use its fur for carpet and/or you use its meat to eat and/or you use its head as decoration. Is this as sin? I believe not! Because then how do you justify killing of cows every day

 

[gasm]

One more point i would like to bring up. Torching an animal is wrong we have established this fact. But how does everyone feel about Killing an animal for no apparent reason other than food ? And where do you draw the line? Which animals do you draw the line with? Bears?, Sheep?, Dogs?, Cats?, Rats?, Possum?, Skunks?........

 

[Evee]

 What about the talking mule when it master was beating it? Anybody remember that one?  I love cats I love dogs I love them all. I believe When we were put in dominion it meant to be good caregivers.

I can always tell how people treat others by how they treat animals.

 I really believe this it has worked for me everytime. 

 

[Brain Damage]

Is killing animals for no reason wrong?


Of course it's wrong and there are a lot of bible scriptures relating to this subject .

I personly would have asked  :  "Is killing insects for no reason wrong ?"   As there are no bible scriptures relating to this subject and people are killing them every day .

It would have made a much more fun topic .

 

[seebs]

I'd be interested in seeing some of the scriptures on this. It's an interesting old question; I no longer remember why I asked it.

 

[Brain Damage]

Today at 07:30 AM seebs said this in Post #19

I'd be interested in seeing some of the scriptures on this. It's an interesting old question; I no longer remember why I asked it.

The story that Evee mentions about the mule and it's master is very good , it teaches us about the mistreatment of animals and Gods thoughts on the matter .