Is animal abuse/cruelty a sin in the eyes of religion?

Question

In my previous question I asked about the value of life, I was told by many religious people that human life is more valuable than that of animals such as cats or dogs, and that furthermore animals (such as dogs/cats) have no soul. I was told that it is the word of God as written in the bible which says man has dominion over the animals of the earth. But I am curious.. if animals have no soul and their lives arent worth as much as human life, does that then mean animal abuse is not a sin? According to an answerer killing a human is the worst thing you can do and quote "To end an animal's life is, well, ending the life of an animal." So my question is do religious followers consider animal abuse a sin and if so how is it considered sin if the belief system places the life of an animal below that of human life? I am not trying to be rude I am just trying to understand how religion views animal abuse, and which bible passages/word of God they base it upon.

Don't get me wrong I believe animals have souls, and I believe their lives are just as precious as our own. I am asking this question based on what others told me in this forum. Overwhelmingly I was informed that animals do not have souls according to the bible. Now reading these posts I see that it could be interpreted in that way, but I am still confused about the beliefs of others on the matter so I was questioning. Thanks for the answers so far very insightful.

Lady Morgana.. I agree with you and share your views as far as what you have stated in your answer. I am Agnostic as well, though not pagan per se. However I would like to choose you as best answer I cannot as I was looking for a religious believers perspective on this.. thanks for the great answer though and yes I heard about "Adam" the poor kitten that was cruelly burned by 2 young girls it shames me that my own kind would do such a thing to another living creature.. I believe that today children are not being instilled with proper moral values and that may be a contributing factor to the rise in animal abuse by adolescents.

Answer 1

Yes, animal abuse and cruelty is sin in the eyes of God. Religion... is an inaccurate way to phrase this question. This is not 'religion'... the bible states pure religion is to help widows and orphans in their distress, and to keep yourself pure from sin.

When God created the earth, animals and humans...our purpose (in His image) was to care for the garden and the animals. We are like God, in that sense. Animals are not created in God's image. God did not need to provide a savior for the animals, they are not sinful creatures. They are not given the choice to follow God or not... they are created to simply serve God. Even if that means they have to die to serve us. Which sin...did come with a price for the Creation, all of it. This includes plants, fish... etcetera...; Many species on the earth have been wiped out because man abuses and is cruel to the Creation.

I do not see where God tells us to abuse His Creation, or be cruel to it. However, he has allowed animals as food. And, for awhile... animal sacrifices were made (prior to Jesus' death on the cross) for sin. Someone had to pay for our sins, and God allowed animals to be used for that purpose. Their deaths, were the blood sacrifice for our sins. We deserved to die, but God had allowed their deaths to pay for our sins. This is tragic. But, it is reality.

Because you believe that animals have souls, you obviously have somewhat of a different perspective. Animal sacrifice for sin, and eating meat will be viewed as abuse and cruelty to you. At some level, I can relate. But, I believe it to be the consequence of sin - all sin. Sin is ugly, IT is abuse and cruelty. Most especially our abuse and cruelty to our Creator.

Since Jesus went to the cross, animal sacrifice became no longer necessary. We can use animals for food, and this is somewhat of a necessity since the plants, fruits and vegetables available to us now - cannot supply all that our bodies need to survive properly. Many people (including me) believe that sin has cut us off from the optimal nutritional levels available to us by the foods that were provided in the garden of eden. Not only to us, but to the other animals on the earth. However, blood sacrifice for our sins in no longer necessary. Jesus was considered the lamb of God. The ultimate blood sacrifice for our sins. When he died, the necessity of a lamb, bird or baby goat (kid) was gone.

The scriptures talk of the Creation being in subjection to humanity. When Christ returns - this will be changed. We will return to our original state of living in harmony with the Creation. We will have to answer to God in how we took care of His Creation.

I hope this helps you to understand the biblical perspective. I do not seek to abuse or treat animals cruelly. I do not see them as less worthy of my respect and kindness. But, humans are at a higher level in my view when it comes to the sanctity of life. If a cat crossed in front of my car, I would not necessarily slam on my brakes if I thought my life would be in danger. However, if a human crossed in front of my car...I would be more inclined to slam on my brakes, whether or not I am injured in the process. I do value my life higher than that of an animal. But, in regard to another human life, I regard that person as equal to myself. If you consider it cruel for me to say so or abusive... then I am sorry to offend you.

If I have a pet in my care... my job is to care for it, as best as I can. It has become my responsibility. My kitty had kidney troubles. I paid the money, and took the time, and loved him enough to provide the medicines and discipline it took to care for him in those last days. He had to have an i.v. line of fluids every day. I overcame my fears of needles and cared for him.

When his kidneys failed, and he was in extreme pain. I took him to the vet and had him put to sleep with as much mercy as possible. I cried for him, as much I think, as I would for a family member. So... that seems to me... that I value the life of the animals entrusted to my care. My cat is a part of my spirit, my soul...regardless of whether or not he was created in God's image. I took his care very seriously. He always knew I loved him, and he trusted me.

God sees all the sparrows that fall... He is truly a loving, and giving creator.

He asks us to care for His creation, as He cares for it. So, that is what I do...

But, He has made it clear to me that I am more important to Him, than the animals. It was His choice, to provide this level of love to me over the rest of His Creation. I do not think it wise for anyone to take this for granted... it actually should be very humbling. That we are considered more important.

Answer 2

Most religions consider man to have stewardship responsibilities towards animals. Most would not condone cruelty although some religions do sacrifice animals in a way that the religion does not feel is cruel but which other people might feel are cruel to the animals involved.

For example, in judaism and christianity, the relationship between god and man is often compared to the relationship between man and animals. Animals are seen as something that should be treated well but are not meant to be treated as equals. The bible even prescribes ways of killing animals which, compared to other possibilities, were somewhat humane for the time.

Answer 3

Its funny how most people say it's a "sin." I mean the meat in the burger you enjoy grows on a tree? Or all the animal sacrifice that you had to do before Jesus was not really cruelty to animals?

The fact of the matter is, when you walk you are being cruel to animals. Hundreds of ants must have died beneath your shoes within your life time?

Are not ants alive? Do ants count? Your existence has an impact on all life, plain and simple. If you don't want to be cruel to any creature, cease to exist!

Answer 4

Yes animal abuse is a sin. All living things have a soul. We are stewards over the animals as they belong to God and not to us. Therefor we do not have the right to abuse them.

Answer 5

From a spiritual standpoint if we substitute 'without God' for the word sin ,Then of course cruelty to animals is operating without God.

Answer 6

I'm an agnostic pagan so I can't tell you about the sin and religion part, but I know that animal abuse is the symptom of a very sick and perverted mind that has probably suffered abuse at the hands of others.

There was a little kitten set on fire by 2 young teen aged girls near where I live recently, and although the kitten will probably make it, it will always bear the scars it has suffered. The girls were caught and are in custody. What should happen to them? The outrage in our community is vocal.

I don't know. Of course they should have severe consequences resulting form their actions, but what consequences? And why did they do such a horrific thing? Mental health professionals should step in in situations like this to see what their thinking was.

A sin? I don't believe in sin. But there are sick, cruel acts that people do, and finding out why they happen in order to prevent them from happening again is a prudent course of action.

Bright Blessings,
Lady Morgana )0(

Answer 7

First, we are the caretakers of the planet and animals. We do not own them.

The Bible contains too many verses about animals for me to think that abuse, cruelty or even just turning a blind eye is acceptable. See my 360 for one of my favorites.

Below are a bunch of sites that list verses about animals. Please enjoy them.

Right now my husband and I are caring for an 8-week-old baby Egyptian Goose who lost a leg to fishing line left lying around the park. Her parents escaped from a safari theme park and live near us. We're praying she'll be able to live wild, but if not we're lining up a lovely place with a pond.

Answer 8

I think it is wrong. I read a great book a few years back called "God, Humans, and Animals: an Invitation to Expand our Moral Universe." It was very in depth and enlightening.

Even if you think animals don't have a soul, they can still suffer. I believe that causing pain and suffering is wrong. I also think that if we see the world as God's creation, we should take care of it. This covers everything from natural resources to land to animals.

Answer 9

In the Old Testament, you are not to eat abused animals or bring abused animals to sacrifice them to God. So that hints that abusing animals is wrong.

In the New Testament, Jesus said to love everyone and treat them fair, animals too have a soul so that means to love them as well.

In the Buddha's Dharma, Buddha says inflecting pain onto anything living is bad karma.

Hinduism's Dharma says inflecting pain onto anything living is bad karma.

So Yes animal abuse is just plain wrong and is a sin or bad karma

Answer 10

If they don't consider it a sin, they're worse than the individuals who are abusing animals. If we have dominion over the planet (which we don't, or else wouldn't hurricanes and tidal waves be controlled?), isn't it our duty to protect it? What other purpose would we have?

Answer 11

It is a sin. We are given dominion over animals, that doesn't mean we can torture them.

I have no verse, but Kosher slaughter was designed to minimize the animal's suffering.