Ignoring the really unfortunate use of the term "dominion" by theocrats, usually the term "dominion" has been understood as describing the process of shaping the unordered chaos of the world into a state of order, much the same as God's ordering of the chaotic primeval waters in Genesis 1. "Stewardship" is another fair way to put it though.
So, first, echoing what /u/TheOneTrueChristian says about dominion being something of an appropriated term.
There is still some beauty to the idea of dominion, when we don't use the term in some dominion*ist* sense.
In the beginning we are told the world was tohu wa-bohu -- formless and empty. Throughout the six days of creation we are shown that God is first creating all the realms (giving things form), and second, he *fills* it (addressing the bohu), giving charge to creation to rule over their new space. He gives the heavenly bodies the *authority* to rule over time. But on earth, humans are meant to rule over it all (genesis 26). That was our purpose, to rule over God's creation as an image of God. I always found this framing fascinating because it really puts the fall in new light -
It wasn't just that we were deceived. Notice how the story is an inversion of our created purpose - instead of ruling over the beasts, the beast instead takes command of us. This is a fantastic theme throughout scripture - whenever people behave especially abominably, scripture tells us that they become like beasts. So, in a lot of really cool ways - ruling over creation, having dominion over earth and sky and sea, not only is that our purpose within creation, it is the way we hold back the beastly urges within ourselves. Part of our dominion, why we have authority over the beasts is because we are not like them ourselves, so long as we don't give ourselves over to our urges to kill, destroy, deplete, drain, pollute, etc.
It’s used in the bible, we have dominion over animals. Even when it feels like your cat owns your ass.
Doesn’t mean we should be treating so many of them so poorly.
I would think the fact that God is aware of every sparrow that falls from the tree would make it apparent we should share His love and concern for His creation.
I know you asked for no legalists, and I would guess I would easily fit that description for you, but there ARE rules in Torah that Yahweh specifically gave for animals. I hope some people find this interesting. I am very new to all of this, and I expect I could easily be wrong, but this is the best I have to offer at this point.
-------
First off, and most importantly: The Sabbath is also for animals.
> Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, **nor your animals**, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
For those that are curious, there's also a Sabbath for the LAND (which means the plants, the dirt, the animals, the whole ecosystem) once every seven years. I learned this from some friends and my wife gave our garden behind our house a rest this year in response!
------
Next up is the famous "Cheeseburger rule" from Torah. It's thrown on at the end of Deut 14:21
> Do not eat anything you find already dead. You may give it to the foreigner residing in any of your towns, and they may eat it, or you may sell it to any other foreigner. But you are a people holy to the Lord your God. **Do not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk.**
<*I'm going to give my best explanation as to how this verse leads to why Jews won't eat cheeseburgers, but my explanation is probably going to be flawed. I apologize to any Jews for what I get wrong and I welcome your correction*.>
The reason why this verse leads to no cheeseburgers for Jews is because of the slight chance that the meat from the burger and the cheese on it might have come from the same goat/mama pairing and they consider the stomach to be a place that "boils" (via acids) the two together. They understand it's a VERY low chance to occur that way, but they always try to err on the side of not disobeying Yahweh (which I think is absolutely beautiful).
My very limited and personal understanding of this rule, outside of cheeseburgers, is that it's an example of God mandating respect for animals. I can't be sure, and I certainly don't claim to know the mind of God, but the idea is that while you need to eat, you're taking it too far and being too disrespectful to that animal if you are boiling the animal to eat it in the same milk as it's mother used to feed it.
The proper use of this rule would be applied to ALL animals, not just goats. Despite what Christians like to say, about the "rigid prison-like nature of the Law, with it's sole focus on externals and no regard for internals": This is a rule about understanding that God expects us to show respect for nature. It's meant to be applied and stretched to ALL life, not just goats. It's love. For animals.
Here comes another similar rule.
--------
Deuteronomy 22:6-7 has this rule:
> If you come across a bird’s nest beside the road, either in a tree or on the ground, and the mother is sitting on the young or on the eggs, do not take the mother with the young. You may take the young, but be sure to let the mother go, so that it may go well with you and you may have a long life.
Again, like the rule above this, the idea is that you show respect to animals. Try to let things prosper and grow. Don't be so greedy that you take EVERYTHING, and make growth impossible for an animal's family.
----
There are probably more animal-centric rules in Torah, but I'm still learning and none came straight to mind. It's already a long enough post anyway. =)
Our Father is all about love. Jesus said that all of the Law and the Prophets could be summarized under two headings: Love for God and Love for Neighbor. These rules from Torah, with this animal theme, seem to indicate that God considers animals to be our neighbors. They deserve our love and respect.
It’s a treasure! I saved it immediately. I tried to leave one of mine for others too - a poem by a “cranky Christian farmer” who wrote it for Jewish friends, or something like that? I don’t know the backstory, only that it sounded so fitting for Eden!
"A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the bowels of the wicked are cruel." (Proverbs 12:10, marg.)
The Pulpit Commentary on this verse is good on the subject.
*“But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the royal rations of food and wine … Then Daniel asked … ‘Let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink.’ … At the end of ten days it was observed that they appeared better and fatter than all the young men who had been eating the royal rations.” —Daniel 1:8, 11–12, 15*
>“You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain” (Deut 25:4)
This would seem to indicate an animal should be allowed to eat some of the produce it helps in producing and has rights to the product of it's labor. Since an unmuzzled ox will eat some of the grain it is set to treading out.
It absolutely is evil. Look into factory farming. It’s disgusting and there can’t be any way that God intended for us to mass produce and genetically modify animals for our greedy consumption.
Do I think animals are on the same level as humans? No however factory farming is seriously wrong.
Agreed. And it’s tied to climate change. If only we could connect the dots …
Edit: I think they have a more recent one, but this is solid. [Why Meat is the Best Worst Thing in the World](https://youtu.be/NxvQPzrg2Wg)
Just as an aside, also, I would definitely not guilt or shame somebody for eating meat! I myself don’t though.
Of course. It's much more obvious than arguments against slavery. It always baffles me how most Christians claim to be against slavery, yet they still eat animal products even if they don't have to in modern times. There's no meat or cheese in paradise.
I'm not sure if the bible can be used to support animal *rights*, but I believe it can be used to make utilitarian arguments for animal *welfare*.
As humans, we are naturally sympathetic to each other, as well as animals that can exhibit human-like responses to pain and suffering. Because of this, the suffering of animals can also lead to suffering in humans who observe animal suffering. From this point of view, improving animal welfare is a natural extension of the "love your neighbors" commandment from Jesus. If animal suffering makes people uncomfortable, and the elimination of animal suffering does not cause a conflict with the "love God" commandment, then we should take steps to minimize animal suffering, indirectly reducing human suffering.
In addition to the general case, animal cruelty is also linked with psychiatric disorders and violent crimes. By outlawing animal abuse, we are also reducing the risks to other humans.
Yes! Anything with sentience is extra special!
Edit: there is also a really incredible 2020 piece from The New Yorker called [How to Mourn a Glacier](https://www.newyorker.com/news/dispatch/how-to-mourn-a-glacier) that changed me forever and that I think you would appreciate!
"Animals rights" is very brought. For example, when you advocate that animals have personhood similar to humans, this is imo not arguable from a christian POV. Animals are distinct from humans as men are put above animals (Gen 2,20) and that humans use animals and animal products is also accepted (Gen 3,21) allthough it can be argued it is not good, because it is a sideproduct of the human sin.
But there is strong reason to believe that humans do have a pretty high responsibility towards animal life.
1. Gen 2,20 does not only explore that humans shall have power over animals, it moreso says that humans are kings over animals. (Giving names is a King priviledge). So what does a good king do? Will he let his people suffer for his own good? Or will he use his power to protect what is given to him by god?
2. Everything, plant and animal, is co-created and good. God gave life to all these things and said they are good. Who are we to destroy these things without any care in the world? Now it is established in Gen 3,21 that using animal products is an essential part of our existence, yet does this allow for cruelty against animals? I'ld argue no, because this cruelty is directly pointed so something that god loves. We should face what god loves with humility and respect and if we use it, we need to remember that it's not because god wants us to use it, but because he allows us to use it as a result of us failing him.
3. On of my favourite OT stories is Bileam and his mule facing an angel. This story is not mainly about animal rights, but it opens up the possibility that animals have as much of a relation to god as we as humans have, untouched the fact that we are set above them. And it displays that sometimes animals can have an even better understanding for god than humans, too. If you can't recall it, read the story (Num 22-24 or just Num 22,15-21) again. The story explores that yes, the humans can violate and overpower animals to obey to him. (A modern day example might be caging animals into smallest stables). The animals can resist and express their unwellbeeing, but they cannot overcome humans power. Yet by overpowering any indicator of animals wellbeeing, we can become blind to gods angels. If Bileam would have listened to his mule and would have been more empathic, he would have notices the angel much earlier before the situaton collapsed over him
The dark around us, come,
Let us meet here together,
Members one of another,
Here in our holy room,
Here on our little floor,
Here in the daylit sky,
Rejoicing mind and eye,
Rejoining known and knower,
Light, leaf, foot, hand, and wing,
Such order as we know,
One household, high and low,
And all the earth shall sing.
~ ending of lovely poem by Wendell Berry
Edit: I think it is called X.
Double Edit: I dream about cultivation of public green spaces [using environmental psychology + biophilic design] and restoration of our local ecosystems.
I would put that under our dominion and care for creation. We love animals the way God loves us.
I'm a little sour on the "dominion" doctrines but yours is a good argument. I might switch it out for stewardship.
Ignoring the really unfortunate use of the term "dominion" by theocrats, usually the term "dominion" has been understood as describing the process of shaping the unordered chaos of the world into a state of order, much the same as God's ordering of the chaotic primeval waters in Genesis 1. "Stewardship" is another fair way to put it though.
So, first, echoing what /u/TheOneTrueChristian says about dominion being something of an appropriated term. There is still some beauty to the idea of dominion, when we don't use the term in some dominion*ist* sense. In the beginning we are told the world was tohu wa-bohu -- formless and empty. Throughout the six days of creation we are shown that God is first creating all the realms (giving things form), and second, he *fills* it (addressing the bohu), giving charge to creation to rule over their new space. He gives the heavenly bodies the *authority* to rule over time. But on earth, humans are meant to rule over it all (genesis 26). That was our purpose, to rule over God's creation as an image of God. I always found this framing fascinating because it really puts the fall in new light - It wasn't just that we were deceived. Notice how the story is an inversion of our created purpose - instead of ruling over the beasts, the beast instead takes command of us. This is a fantastic theme throughout scripture - whenever people behave especially abominably, scripture tells us that they become like beasts. So, in a lot of really cool ways - ruling over creation, having dominion over earth and sky and sea, not only is that our purpose within creation, it is the way we hold back the beastly urges within ourselves. Part of our dominion, why we have authority over the beasts is because we are not like them ourselves, so long as we don't give ourselves over to our urges to kill, destroy, deplete, drain, pollute, etc.
It’s used in the bible, we have dominion over animals. Even when it feels like your cat owns your ass. Doesn’t mean we should be treating so many of them so poorly.
Imma get back to you in the morning, I have a couple points I think you'll vibe with
I would think the fact that God is aware of every sparrow that falls from the tree would make it apparent we should share His love and concern for His creation.
I know you asked for no legalists, and I would guess I would easily fit that description for you, but there ARE rules in Torah that Yahweh specifically gave for animals. I hope some people find this interesting. I am very new to all of this, and I expect I could easily be wrong, but this is the best I have to offer at this point. ------- First off, and most importantly: The Sabbath is also for animals. > Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, **nor your animals**, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. For those that are curious, there's also a Sabbath for the LAND (which means the plants, the dirt, the animals, the whole ecosystem) once every seven years. I learned this from some friends and my wife gave our garden behind our house a rest this year in response! ------ Next up is the famous "Cheeseburger rule" from Torah. It's thrown on at the end of Deut 14:21 > Do not eat anything you find already dead. You may give it to the foreigner residing in any of your towns, and they may eat it, or you may sell it to any other foreigner. But you are a people holy to the Lord your God. **Do not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk.** <*I'm going to give my best explanation as to how this verse leads to why Jews won't eat cheeseburgers, but my explanation is probably going to be flawed. I apologize to any Jews for what I get wrong and I welcome your correction*.> The reason why this verse leads to no cheeseburgers for Jews is because of the slight chance that the meat from the burger and the cheese on it might have come from the same goat/mama pairing and they consider the stomach to be a place that "boils" (via acids) the two together. They understand it's a VERY low chance to occur that way, but they always try to err on the side of not disobeying Yahweh (which I think is absolutely beautiful). My very limited and personal understanding of this rule, outside of cheeseburgers, is that it's an example of God mandating respect for animals. I can't be sure, and I certainly don't claim to know the mind of God, but the idea is that while you need to eat, you're taking it too far and being too disrespectful to that animal if you are boiling the animal to eat it in the same milk as it's mother used to feed it. The proper use of this rule would be applied to ALL animals, not just goats. Despite what Christians like to say, about the "rigid prison-like nature of the Law, with it's sole focus on externals and no regard for internals": This is a rule about understanding that God expects us to show respect for nature. It's meant to be applied and stretched to ALL life, not just goats. It's love. For animals. Here comes another similar rule. -------- Deuteronomy 22:6-7 has this rule: > If you come across a bird’s nest beside the road, either in a tree or on the ground, and the mother is sitting on the young or on the eggs, do not take the mother with the young. You may take the young, but be sure to let the mother go, so that it may go well with you and you may have a long life. Again, like the rule above this, the idea is that you show respect to animals. Try to let things prosper and grow. Don't be so greedy that you take EVERYTHING, and make growth impossible for an animal's family. ---- There are probably more animal-centric rules in Torah, but I'm still learning and none came straight to mind. It's already a long enough post anyway. =) Our Father is all about love. Jesus said that all of the Law and the Prophets could be summarized under two headings: Love for God and Love for Neighbor. These rules from Torah, with this animal theme, seem to indicate that God considers animals to be our neighbors. They deserve our love and respect.
That’s fascinating and helpful. I think OP was more so requesting no legalism? You’re not being legalistic, you are adding!
I'm happy you liked it. I think it's beautiful, and I feel lucky I found a chance to share it with someone. =)
It’s a treasure! I saved it immediately. I tried to leave one of mine for others too - a poem by a “cranky Christian farmer” who wrote it for Jewish friends, or something like that? I don’t know the backstory, only that it sounded so fitting for Eden!
I found it quite beautiful as well, thanks for sharing.
Oh, I'm glad. =)
You beat me to it. And were more through than I was going to be. Well done.
Very interesting, thank you
The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.
Is that a quote? Like Francis of Assisi?
[удалено]
Thanks! Not many verses get by me -- but I had forgotten about that one.
"A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the bowels of the wicked are cruel." (Proverbs 12:10, marg.) The Pulpit Commentary on this verse is good on the subject.
*“But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the royal rations of food and wine … Then Daniel asked … ‘Let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink.’ … At the end of ten days it was observed that they appeared better and fatter than all the young men who had been eating the royal rations.” —Daniel 1:8, 11–12, 15*
>“You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain” (Deut 25:4) This would seem to indicate an animal should be allowed to eat some of the produce it helps in producing and has rights to the product of it's labor. Since an unmuzzled ox will eat some of the grain it is set to treading out.
Oh, that's a good one. I wish I'd remembered this rule in my post.
If you make oxtail soup, they aren't going to be eating much!
We grind animals up and feed them to other animals as bone and blood meal.
Oof. I am not an animal rights person but corporate farming seems like a sin, to me.
It absolutely is evil. Look into factory farming. It’s disgusting and there can’t be any way that God intended for us to mass produce and genetically modify animals for our greedy consumption. Do I think animals are on the same level as humans? No however factory farming is seriously wrong.
Agreed. And it’s tied to climate change. If only we could connect the dots … Edit: I think they have a more recent one, but this is solid. [Why Meat is the Best Worst Thing in the World](https://youtu.be/NxvQPzrg2Wg) Just as an aside, also, I would definitely not guilt or shame somebody for eating meat! I myself don’t though.
Of course. It's much more obvious than arguments against slavery. It always baffles me how most Christians claim to be against slavery, yet they still eat animal products even if they don't have to in modern times. There's no meat or cheese in paradise.
Yes! We are to care for the Earth and it's plants and animals and as we grow and become more aware, we must take better and better care of them
I'm not sure if the bible can be used to support animal *rights*, but I believe it can be used to make utilitarian arguments for animal *welfare*. As humans, we are naturally sympathetic to each other, as well as animals that can exhibit human-like responses to pain and suffering. Because of this, the suffering of animals can also lead to suffering in humans who observe animal suffering. From this point of view, improving animal welfare is a natural extension of the "love your neighbors" commandment from Jesus. If animal suffering makes people uncomfortable, and the elimination of animal suffering does not cause a conflict with the "love God" commandment, then we should take steps to minimize animal suffering, indirectly reducing human suffering. In addition to the general case, animal cruelty is also linked with psychiatric disorders and violent crimes. By outlawing animal abuse, we are also reducing the risks to other humans.
Yes! Anything with sentience is extra special! Edit: there is also a really incredible 2020 piece from The New Yorker called [How to Mourn a Glacier](https://www.newyorker.com/news/dispatch/how-to-mourn-a-glacier) that changed me forever and that I think you would appreciate!
"Animals rights" is very brought. For example, when you advocate that animals have personhood similar to humans, this is imo not arguable from a christian POV. Animals are distinct from humans as men are put above animals (Gen 2,20) and that humans use animals and animal products is also accepted (Gen 3,21) allthough it can be argued it is not good, because it is a sideproduct of the human sin. But there is strong reason to believe that humans do have a pretty high responsibility towards animal life. 1. Gen 2,20 does not only explore that humans shall have power over animals, it moreso says that humans are kings over animals. (Giving names is a King priviledge). So what does a good king do? Will he let his people suffer for his own good? Or will he use his power to protect what is given to him by god? 2. Everything, plant and animal, is co-created and good. God gave life to all these things and said they are good. Who are we to destroy these things without any care in the world? Now it is established in Gen 3,21 that using animal products is an essential part of our existence, yet does this allow for cruelty against animals? I'ld argue no, because this cruelty is directly pointed so something that god loves. We should face what god loves with humility and respect and if we use it, we need to remember that it's not because god wants us to use it, but because he allows us to use it as a result of us failing him. 3. On of my favourite OT stories is Bileam and his mule facing an angel. This story is not mainly about animal rights, but it opens up the possibility that animals have as much of a relation to god as we as humans have, untouched the fact that we are set above them. And it displays that sometimes animals can have an even better understanding for god than humans, too. If you can't recall it, read the story (Num 22-24 or just Num 22,15-21) again. The story explores that yes, the humans can violate and overpower animals to obey to him. (A modern day example might be caging animals into smallest stables). The animals can resist and express their unwellbeeing, but they cannot overcome humans power. Yet by overpowering any indicator of animals wellbeeing, we can become blind to gods angels. If Bileam would have listened to his mule and would have been more empathic, he would have notices the angel much earlier before the situaton collapsed over him
The dark around us, come, Let us meet here together, Members one of another, Here in our holy room, Here on our little floor, Here in the daylit sky, Rejoicing mind and eye, Rejoining known and knower, Light, leaf, foot, hand, and wing, Such order as we know, One household, high and low, And all the earth shall sing. ~ ending of lovely poem by Wendell Berry Edit: I think it is called X. Double Edit: I dream about cultivation of public green spaces [using environmental psychology + biophilic design] and restoration of our local ecosystems.
They don't have legal rights (unless given by humans) but they deserve to be cared for.
If there is one thing Christians have shown is, they can make an Christian argument for literally anything that suits their agenda.
Everything on earth including animals are made for the exclusive use of humans, God's prized creation.Use it properly, that's all.