Question:
I have been reading your column for several years and, as an evangelical Christian and animal lover, my question is, on what authority do you base your belief that animals are not inferior to us humans?.
K.M., St. Louis, Mo Jan 21, 2007
Answer:
Arguably, more harm than good has come in the name of religion (not just Christianity) to animals, nature and the environment. Harm has also come to people whose beliefs are contrary to those who seek to convert, control and exploit them through indoctrination, intimidation and the paternalistic, patronizing promise of "saving their souls."My "authority" is based on the heart's core of Christianity and other religious traditions (that have been perverted for human gain) promoting love and respect for all of God's creation, whom we are to serve -- "to dress it and to keep it" (Genesis 2:15, King James version).For more details, see my book "The Boundless Circle" (Quest Books, 1996). Our fellow animals are neither inferior nor superior to us. They are simply different, but, like us, they have lives of their own, and therefore interests. In terms of our "duty of care," as the new British Animal Protection Act refers to human responsibilities for animals' health and welfare, these interests are animals' rights.E
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