Does your religion look kindly upon those who care for animals?

Question

I know that wiccans and many pagans have a love for animals, plants and nature but I would be interested in hearing from any other religions as to what your beliefs are surrounding those who care for sick or formerly mistreated animals.

Does the fact that their heart goes out to such animals (mostly former pets) that were abused or neglected before being taken in to care, rather than humans, mean they are not looked upon as charitiably as a traditional philanthropist?

I am interested as I feel it is my vocation to care for all those animals who have not had a good life, as they are even less capable of looking after, and protecting themselves, than us humans.

I understand that cruelty, war, famine and violence are are a part of our world but I will not tolerate anyone raising a hand up against an animal.

I do not subscrive to any particular belief system myself but would like to know what you think.

Thanks!

I hasten to add I do not love animals more than humans; I have just come to realise that we will always be hurting and harming one another, and this behaviour is, whether you choose to recognise it or not, always going to present on our world.

As soon as we put that destructive energy towards harming animals though, my tolerance of this explodes.

Answer 1

Islam

The Prophet (pbuh) not only preached to the people to show kindness to each other but also to all living souls. He forbade the practice of cutting tails and manes of horses, of branding animals at any soft spot, and of keeping horses saddled unnecessarily (Muslim, Sahih Muslim). If he saw any animal over-loaded or ill-fed he would pull up the owner and say,
"Fear Allah in your treatment of animals." (Abu Dawud, Kitab Jihad).
A companion came to him with the young ones of a bird in his sheet and said that the mother bird had hovered over them all along. He was directed to replace her offspring in the same bush (Mishkat, Abu Dawud)
During a journey, somebody picked up some birds eggs. The bird's painful note and fluttering attracted the attention of the Prophet (pbuh), who asked the man to replace the eggs (Bukhari, Sahih Bukhari).

As his army marched towards Makkah to conquer it, they passed a female dog with puppies. The Prophet (pbuh) not only gave orders that they should not be disturbed, but posted a man to see that this was done.

He stated,

"Verily, there is heavenly reward for every act of kindness done to a living animal."

Answer 2

I am with you all the way, I cannot tolerate any form of cruelty or unkindness to animals - I can't bear to watch or read anything in the media that pertains to this as it upsets me for days and preys on my mind. My feeling is that animals have the same rights as humans - to be respected and treated kindly, looked after. I don't have a religion as such, more a way of life in that I am a spiritualist. Spiritualism is very much for looking after the animal kingdom and the environment and these are always included in our prayers and address at meetings. I also respect plants - any living thing really - so much so that I find it very difficult to throw away plants or chop down trees and, I know this sounds ridiculous, but I always ask a tree or shrub's permission to prune it! I always ask the spirit world to look after our animals and birds during the winter months, so that they have food and shelter. As to pets, I lost my beloved puss 3 months ago and I can't seem to get over the loss - he WAS like a human to me. I am so glad that you think highly of animals - I didn't think there were many like us - hope I am wrong.

Answer 3

I don't know who said it, but "A society may be judged by how it treats its animals, and its elderly." That being the case, we're failing miserably. I'm a huge advocator of animal rights, and I think how a person treats animals tells you a lot about them. Nearly all the animals that have found homes with me over the years, have been formerly abused, neglected, or abandoned. Once with me, they became family (And some of them hogged the bed!)

I'm an atheist, so no believe system here.

Answer 4

from what I have read, animals have no real place in religions.
Because of our disgust of certain cultural beliefs that involved sacrificing animals Religions has stepped in. Yet in some countries women are still stoned to death.

If it is a belief system you are looking for based on 'a religion' then I think you are out of luck. We humans have no consideration for animals or each other -en mass-. Could it be there is the need for a recognised belief that you could work to brign about?

good luck

Answer 5

We are supposed to be good stewards of the earth and all of the creatures thereon. So, yes, caring for mistreated animals is a noble calling.

Answer 6

Yes; In Islam; A Jewish man shall be drived to Heavens without questioning at the end of life because he filled his hands with water from a deep well to offer the water to a thirsty dog.

Muhammad PBUH said: "Don't use your horses' backs as chairs", he also said: "A woman went to hell for the sake of a cat she imprisoned, she didn't feed her, nor let it free to search the earth for food".

Answer 7

God says we are to be stewards of this earth and care for it. I think it's rather offensive to put an animal's life above a human's life. Some of these PETA folks really go a bit too far with their animal's rights.

But anyway, to answer your question, if you feel this is a calling for you then I say do it!

Answer 8

good on you! I too am an animal lover who wont stand for cruelty to animals. I am sure the animals of this world would thank you if they could. We need more ambassadors like yourself. Well done

Answer 9

Well my friend, I guess you could say I love animals more than human beings. It is wrong. The Lord wants us to love our fellow humans as much as we love ourselves.

However, it does NOT please the Lord when people are cruel or heartless towards animals - of which He created. He says in the Bible that He provides every day for the little sparrow.

Gosh, there will be animals in heaven!

God loves animals and so do I. However, caring for animals will not get you into heaven if you do not accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour.

Answer 10

Yes. Islam forbids you to mistreat or torture an animal. It forbids you in doing any form of wrong doing to all creatures.