Somewhere along the line we, as Christians, have fallen under the false impression that God made animals specifically for the human race, for us to consume and to use for whatever purposes we deem fit. I have also found that Christians are generally considered to be anti-environmentally aware. Why is this? We should be the main proponents of animal and environmental advocacy.
Regarding animals, the reality is that the Bible starts vegan and ends vegan.
Now, I am not saying that if you are not vegan or vegetarian you are wrong, and that you need to stop eating meat right now, but God's original intent for all creation's diet was strictly vegan. Don't believe me? Let's take a look at Scripture...
Genesis 1:29-30 says, "And God said, 'Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.' And it was so." These verses clearly state God's intent. Both humans and animals alike were designed as plant-eaters.
Let's take a look at another...
Isaiah 65:25 says, "'The wolf and the lamb shall graze together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be the serpent's food. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain,'" says the Lord." This verse also illustrates what diet will look on the new earth.
A misconception that many fall under is that we have the authority to do whatever we like with animals.
When God says we have "dominion" over animals, it does not mean we can treat and use them for whatever we wish, it means we must care for, love, and serve them.
God has dominion over us, but he doesn't use and abuse us for whatever he wants. He loves and cares for us. Psalm 36:6 says, "Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the ocean depths. You care for people and animals alike, O Lord."
There is a vital, interdependent relationship that God has created all of creation to partake in. Many people are ignorant to the fact that without animals, there is no environment in which people can use to survive. For example, without bees, plants are not pollinated and cannot grow. Everything in this world is interconnected. The consequences of this can be seen in the aftereffects of the killing of wolves, whom were killed out of fear and greediness for their fur. Because of this sudden decline in wolf population, animals such as deer and elk experienced an increase in population, resulting in the over-consumption of new growth and new trees. No trees means less oxygen and more erosion of land and rivers. Also, dead vegetation has a much higher risk of igniting a forest fire. Forest fires push wild animals into human territories. It is necessary for us to respect all of God's creation. If they are harmed, so are we.
We are alive today because God created animals to steward the specific environment that allows for humans to successfully survive on this planet. Is it not our duty, then, to protect those who provide for us?
It is up to us to be the voice for the voiceless. Simply taking a look at the practices of modern factory farming is a testament to how wrongly animals are treated. Cows, pigs, and chickens alike are treated with the least respect. They are kicked, beaten, and treated as if they were piles of dirt. Animals have emotions, too. They can mourn, care and love, not to mention possess the capability to feel pain and fear.
Animals are more than automatons driven by instinct. They are beings with the capacity for joy. Job 39:13 mentions an ostrich flapping its wings joyously and Job 40:20 speaks of beasts of the field playing.
The bottom line is God cares for animals. Matthew 10:29 states that not one sparrow dies without God noticing and caring. Should we not then devote more of ourselves to the well-being of God's creation?