This post is from a series of blogs related to Matthew Scully’s book, Dominion.
Some observations related to the book have included:
- Humans have an instinctive urge to respond to animal suffering.
- Factory farms and other inhumane production practices are likely not what God had in mind when he gave man “dominion”.
- The word “dominion” did not imply cruelty, but could also include benevolent rule during times of peace.
- Jesus himself did eat meat, as well as condone eating meat (keeping in mind food production practices were more natural and humane at the time).
- We tend to arbitrarily select animals who we believe should be treated humanely (domestic dogs), while different standards are applied to other animals (fox hunting). However, the way we categorize animals may come from ancient times.
In the section called “Laws,” Scully points out that some people justify inhumane treatment of animals by claiming animals do not feel and/or do not have consciousness. He cites several experts, including a Professor Kennedy, who support these theories.
Scully disputes Kennedy’s position using several examples, from primates using sign language to a parrot that can count, to show that animals can process their surroundings and make choices on some level.
But I’ve heard a not-too-disimilar argument somewhre before. Where was that?
Oh yeah.
The church.
Bummer.
Some fundamentalists believe attributing feeling to animals elevates creatures to a place equal to or superior to humans, leading some extremists to denounce animal care as “worship” of Creation.
In most cases, however, that strikes me as a hyper-reaction.
Simple common sense: a person could own being made in God’s image and accept dominion over creation, yet still believe humans should seek to act decently and humanely toward other creatures.
Although the argument over “feeling” may be relevant to animal rights’ discussions, from a logical point of view, I barely felt the chapter was necessary. Any pet owner or observer of animals has seen animals “feel” or “suffer”. It makes me wonder if it is actually Professor Kennedy and other experts who cannot feel.
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