Non human forgiveness

[ByTheSpirit]

Do you think the command to forgive extends to animals as well? Say if you have a pet that tears up furniture or something, are we expected to forgive them as well?

 

[Carl Emerson]

Do you think the command to forgive extends to animals as well? Say if you have a pet that tears up furniture or something, are we expected to forgive them as well?

Mosquito's, flies, ticks, flu virus, nits, fleas, Covid - where does it end ???

 

[Gregory Thompson]

Do you think the command to forgive extends to animals as well? Say if you have a pet that tears up furniture or something, are we expected to forgive them as well?

Non-humans, do you mean demons as well?

The bible discusses how to relate to humans, since that's the main issue in creation. So the forgiveness would relate to humans, since communication is possible and we have enough in common that the gesture would be able to communicate the forgiveness of God in a manner that is meaningful.

 

[eleos1954]

Do you think the command to forgive extends to animals as well? Say if you have a pet that tears up furniture or something, are we expected to forgive them as well?

If you understand that animals have their own consciousness, then there’s a reason to treat them with respect and kindness. And learn to accept their peculiarities, personalities, and preferences. Because what you do affects the quality of their life.

Just like children it is up to us to train them in the way they should go.

If they ... for some reason will not overcome a destructive behavior .... then you need to provide a space where they can't be destructive .... some sort of a alternative.

I had a cat that kept tearing up the furniture (clawing), I tried everything (sprays, scratching posts etc.) ... nothing worked .... I finally had him declawed .... I didn't want to do that ... but it was either that or give him to the pound or something. So now he's strictly a house cat .... but he's seems happy and content with that.

Most animals are trainable.

 

[Servus]

The importance of forgiveness is it releases you from feeling anger, bitterness, holding a grudge etc. So yes you should forgive your cat instead of retaining fury.

 

[Hammster]

Do you think the command to forgive extends to animals as well? Say if you have a pet that tears up furniture or something, are we expected to forgive them as well?

Animals don’t sin.

 

[*LILAC]

Sure, my cat has done things she shouldn't have and I've forgiven her for it. If we want pets, we are expected to treat them fairly. They can also sense it if you are genuine or not.

 

[ByTheSpirit]

Animals don’t sin.

Do you have a pet?

 

[Servus]

Dogs and cats sure do know when they've done something wrong.

 

[Hammster]

Do you have a pet?

Yes.

 

[Hammster]

Dogs and cats sure do know when they've done something wrong.

They know when they’ve done something in pleasing to their owners.

 

[Carl Emerson]

My point was ignored...

Animals? what about birds? fish? insects? These are living things that can harm us.

Can I suggest they are incapable of repentance so forgiveness in the normal sense does not apply. Remorse maybe but not repentance.

 

[ByTheSpirit]

My point was ignored...

Animals? what about birds? fish? insects? These are living things that can harm us.

Can I suggest they are incapable of repentance so forgiveness in the normal sense does not apply. Remorse maybe but not repentance.

Well what I mean is if you have a pet and it destroys something in the house for instance, does Christ's command to forgive apply in such a situation or no?

 

[ByTheSpirit]

Yes.

So if your pet does something it knows it shouldn't do, are you obligated by Christ's command to forgive the pet? I guess that's what I'm asking.

 

[Carl Emerson]

Well what I mean is if you have a pet and it destroys something in the house for instance, does Christ's command to forgive apply in such a situation or no?

Luke 17:4
And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.”

No - because your pet is incapable of repentance.

 

[Hammster]

So if your pet does something it knows it shouldn't do, are you obligated by Christ's command to forgive the pet? I guess that's what I'm asking.

No, because pets don’t sin.

 

[ByTheSpirit]

No, because pets don’t sin.

But they can disobey yeah? I mean sin deals with a conscienceness sure, but if I tell my dog to sit and it doesn't sit, do I need to forgive it? Animals can know what they are being told

 

[ByTheSpirit]

Luke 17:4
And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.”

No - because your pet is incapable of repentance.

So we should forgive only if the person repents?

 

[Servus]

My point was ignored...

Animals? what about birds? fish? insects? These are living things that can harm us.

Can I suggest they are incapable of repentance so forgiveness in the normal sense does not apply. Remorse maybe but not repentance.

What about a praying mantis?

 

[Mink61]

So we should forgive only if the person repents?

I don't think you understand what "forgiveness" is all about.

For instance, I may "forgive" someone for hurting me. But that doesn't mean that God will necessarily "forgive" them. At least, not right away.

Forgiveness to me means, that I 'release' whatever 'wrong' was done to me, into God's hands. I don't seek 'revenge' on them.

I also don't look at pets/animals as having the same kind of 'soul' that humans do.