Why are Atheists more compassionate to animals than Christians are?

Question

Ever notice if a question is asked about the Environment or Animal Rights how many "good Christian folks" scoff at it?

Why are there fewer Environmentalists in the Religion Right than in the Liberal Left? It seems Christians believe "all this" is here for their disposal and there is no moral need to preserve it or protect it. They make fun of Environmentalists and also Animal Rights activists like PETA.

I'm just wondering WWJD?

I'm not saying ALL Atheists are environmentalists or are animal friendly. After all, the only common thread among Atheists is a belief there is no god. But, I personally know many Atheists who feel compelled to protect earth for future generations. Yet with the Christians...it seems the more religious they are, the less responsible they feel for earth and animals.

Your thoughts?

I mentioned nothing about abortion. Why lump the two issues together? And to those who did, know this: I work in women's health and my "job" is protecting the health and well being of women and fetuses. You, I am sure, would be surprised at how many people of EVERY faith; Christians, Muslims, Jews, have had abortions; some of them have had several. YOU may not know that the lady setting next to you while you worship has had an abortion, but I do.

Humans may have more "importance" than animals....but does that mean it's okay to abuse them? No.

And as for donating money to causes... I've donated thousands of my own money to humans in need. So don't go there.

Why are Christians offended by the notion we evolved from common ancestors as animals......yet have no problem with the biblical idea that we came from dirt?

Even your god did not care about the animals. They were innocent when god flooded the earth yet he killed them along with all the sinners.

Answer 1

Because, when compassion can flow from its natural, human source, without being filtered through cult superstition, then it is all the purer.

Christians are told they are masters of the world and all the animals in it. They are told they are not, themselves, animals. People can be as genuinely pious and serving of other humans as they want, but if they mistreat or waste the lives of other animals (as in hunting instead of consuming already domestic animals), then that will trump their good deeds, no matter how genuine the good deeds are.

It has been said if you want to know what a man is really like, watch how he treats his subordinates (animals, and non Christians, according to the Christian view), not how he treats others like him.

Answer 2

BEST ANSWER>

Atheist are not more compassionate to animals than Christians. Environmentalist and Animal Rights Activist are not necessarily more friendly to animals than anyone else.

Your premise is to generalized - to many suppositions in linear - step thinking.

I suggest that it is not a Christian vs Atheist question or an Environmentalist/Activist vs Christian thing either.

It is a personal belief. Either you like animals or you don't.

I am a Christian. I love animals. I have disdain towards phony Activist and Environmentalist who - though fundamentally well meaning are predisposed to hide behind a cause for their own selfish interest. A cause to over protect the process of natural selection and to slander those who don't comply to their way of thinking.

You don't see Christians rise up in mass to impose their will on everyone - do you!

Answer 3

Depends on the branch of Christianity you're talking about - the theology is different for Catholics, Anglicans/Episcolpalians, and Methodists than it is for Evengalical Protestants.

The former believe they are given the task of being good stewards of earth for the earth's own sake. We have the liturgical Blessing of the Animals every year and the tradition of Saint Francis in general. Our church has an environmental committee and we remove non-native invasive plant species from public areas, and so on. Pope JP2 issued an encyclical in which he argued that we are God's regents on earth, tasked with the protection and care of the planet.

The latter, Evangelicals, most often believe the earth is given to us for our use and that being good stewards means using it efficiently for ourselves. They do not believe in gratuitous exploitation or invocation of suffering, but it's not a major concern compared to most other issues. Additionally, some Evangelicals believe this world has no ontological value anyway, because it is merely temporarya nd the end is nigh. Bill Moyers even highlighted some in that crowd who are actively destroying the environment to try and invoke the Second Coming.

When you look at the breakdown along party lines or denominations, I think you'll find this is fairly consistent. That said, Rick Warren has organized a large movement of conservative Evangelicals in favor of saving and caring for the non-human world.

Answer 4

In general I believe it is based on the principle belief.

Atheist believes I die and return to the earth. I get buried 6 ft under and become grass for the deer.

Christian believe they leave all these worldly things behind and go to heaven, removed and distant from trivial things like Earth and Earth's environment.

I mean I am with you that ALL are not like that and that there is no reason religion should factor in here, but I think Christians are biding their time until they can move past Earth and Atheists (especially including Buddhists) focus more on the circle of life.

Answer 5

on this you could be right-not all but it seems quite a few do think that way-it might have to do with the belief that they have dominion over the earth-it also can be due to the universe revolves around me and was create for me thought process-that being said i also have to say that some in the animal rights go a little far out there also in the opposite direction---i think you should be very wary of anyone who is to fanatical about anything----just my thoughts---smile and enjoy the day--good question-excellent observation

Answer 6

Sorry to bust your stats...

I am a minister, I push PetFinder.com, I push saving animals. I even made a video for the holidays to push this fact as well.

I also have 3 saved cats now, 9 saved over my years. And I have a saved horse.

And even though I am a minister, I will go to the aid of an animal before a human, for the animal cannot help itself, unlike the human.

Save a pet this holiday season and save a life while at it!!

http://www.PetFinder.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G01Ljrdoz6c

Answer 7

From my experience Atheists except the fact that we are just another life form, and that we are animals, animals with high IQ's but still animals nonetheless.....

Christians on the other hand tend to believe that we as humans are above animals and superior to them and like you said, most of them seem to believe it's "all here" for their benefit. Animals don't go to their heaven in their Bible. Since they also believe in a perfect heaven and a perfect afterlife I bet they would also be less inclined to care....

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying all Christians or Atheists are like this, but this is just the general trend I have noticed in my years....

Answer 8

The Christian's at my Church are always raising money for people in need. They are very compassionate. As far as animals, I am a Christian and volunteer for the humane society in my area. I take in sick and mistreated cat/dog and help them to be healthy and try to find them a home. I have always been raised to believe that it was wrong to mean to animals because they are God creatures to. Their are several people in my Church that have taken in stray cat/dog and made a good home for them. My animals are part of my family and love them very much and thank God for them. I think you see what you what to.

Answer 9

WOW How nice of you to lump us all together
I guess the fact my local church is going green and trying thier best to reduce and reuse and recycle as much as they can and they encourage all of us to do the same.
I guess that makes us all Atheists..

I guess all the time that I use our own bags instead of the reusable sacks my wife knitted our little christian home is becoming more atheistic.

What I see is the opposite most of the time
I see myself and many I know who are believers in God being very worried about the earth and those that don't are the ones chucking garbage out of thier cars.

Thumbs down me if you like but Sister you got it WAY wrong in lumping people to gether like that.

Answer 10

I think it is because Christianity claims that humans are superior to animals and that animals, in a way, don't matter.

For me, an atheist, I think humans ARE animals and so humans and other animals are all equally important. The only reason why humans tend to view other humans as more important than other animals is because we relate to others like us. From our human perspective, it seems like humans matter the most. But from the perspective of an elephant, I'm sure other elephants matter most.

So basically, I care so much about animals because I think about their point of view. I try to imagine what it's like for them and I want them to be happy in their lives.

Many people simply say things like, "They're just dumb animals" and don't think they matter.

As far as I'm concerned, helping animals is FAR more important at this point in time because so many animal species are endangered..... All because of humans. Meanwhile, there are 6 billion humans overcrowding the earth.