I
am sometimes asked why I spend so much time and efforts on animal related issues when
there is so much insensitivity towards man. I answer....."I'm working at the
roots"!
George T. Angell
With the teachings in the bible that
clearly show reverence and respect for ALL living beings, it saddens me to
see so many people - people who 'claim' to be God-fearing and who also consider religion
to play a sizable role in their lives, mistreat, neglect and basically abuse their
companion animals.
I live in Dolan Springs, Arizona. The
local community has it's responsible pet guardians, but by no means are they the
majority. Far from it. The average Dolan Springs household with pets is
ripe with neglect, ignorant of the pets needs, barron of any training or even proper
restraints for the pets safety. And don't even get me started on the
appropriate identification of the pets - hundreds of which roam freely with little regard
from their human counterpart as to where they are vs where they should be.
So, then why in the world, would the
religious teachers, ministers and those who believe the bible's teachings, refuse to use
this incredible tool of faith, to help clean up our problems of pet overpopulation and
especially animal abuse? |
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IT'S SAD THAT DOGS
DON'T LIVE AS LONG AS WE DO. BUT, I SEE WHY NOW. THEY ALREADY KNOW HOW TO GIVE
UNCONDITIONAL LOVE AND AFFECTION - SOMETHING IT TAKES HUMANS 7 TIMES AS LONG TO LEARN!!
The largest majority
of those who are causing harm are not doing it maliciously, but out of simple
ignorance. This is what makes me believe that the church could and should play a
role in the education of our community. If we had a rash of rapes in the recent
past, there would be a sermon on respect for the opposite sex. If there were an
unusually large number of murders over the past year, we would hear a sermon on respect
for life and so on. So, why, when God makes it so very clear that animals and humans
are all to be respected and treated with kindness and compassion, is this topic so ignored
when the problem is so obvious?
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There is a definite
reason why Noah built the Arc for the animals and no additional humans were invited.
Humane
Education, at its roots, has benefits that are felt far and wide in improved behavior of
students, increased attendance, much more awareness of others, a noticeably raised level
of achievement scores, more respectful nature of addressing adults and others around them
and gaining a less violent resolution technique when challenged - not to mention the
obvious - the lives that are spared and provided with the proper treatment that will
extend their lives in a healthier, happier way.
So, if the above reasons
do not spur the preachers and priests on to a more compassionate style of ministries or
simple common sense isn't enough for the local or national ministries to take notice and
begin giving more appropriate sermons to their listeners, maybe some of the following
articles can convince them to give a humane style sermon at least once a year. If
their followers are truly respectful of God and his teachings, they will learn how to
improve their pets existence as well - giving the pets a noticeably improved chance of
living out a healthy life in a manner pleasing the man above. |
"I looked at all the caged animals
in the shelter....the castoffs of human society. I saw in their eyes love and hope,
fear and dread, sadness and betrayal. And I was angry. "God" I said,
'this is terrible! Why don't you do something?" God was silent for a moment and
then He spoke softly. "I have done something'' He replied. "I
created you. " |
  
www.21stcenturycares.org/rethabouta.htm
www.21stcenturycares.org/relandar.htm
www.21stcenturycares.org/humanerelresources.htm
I think all clergy should read
Matthew Scully's book "Dominion."
He addresses all these issues and very well done.
TO All Religious Leaders:
by Dr. Jeanette Shutay, Ph.d.
First of all, I want to make it known that I take neglect of animals, abuse of animals and
all types of this behavior very seriously. I would also like to mention that fact that
those who are physically abusive to animals tend to be more violent than average, in
general (e.g., in all domains of life). Let me give you some specific examples that
support this supposition.
The Child Abuse Potential Inventory (CAP) is an instrument which is designed to measure
one’s potential for abusing children (Milner, 1986). This instrument has been
referenced as a research tool in the abuse literature. One of the statements on this
questionnaire is “I enjoy having pets” in which the person is to state whether
he or she agrees or disagrees with the statement. This particular item is on the
questionnaire because it has clinical significance. In other words, there is a
relationship between one enjoying or liking pets and one’s likelihood to be a child
abuser.
Another instrument, which is intended to detect child behavioral problems, references
animals. The Child Behavior Checklist for Ages 2-3 (CBCL) developed by Achenbach (1988)
specifically asks if the person’s child is “cruel to animals” in which the
person is requested to indicate how true the statement is for his or her child (0 = not
true; 1 = somewhat or sometimes true; and 2 = very true or often true). In this case the
child’s behavior towards animals is considered to be a valid indicator of behavioral
problems which later tend to turn into conduct disorder in the teen years and antisocial
disorder in the adult years.
Both of these instruments have been found to uphold high standards of reliability and
validity. These instruments have been used many times as a research tool for empirical
studies as well as for detecting and or predicting child behavioral problems (CBCL). It is
not a coincidence that both of these instruments reference either one’s view or
treatment towards animals. Although these two particular questions do not in and of
themselves define an adult as an abuser or a child as one that possesses behavioral
disorders, they have been found to be highly related to the dependent variable (e.g.,
abuse or behavioral problems).
Furthermore, there are numerous studies that provide empirical evidence of a link between
animal abuse and criminal behavior in general. For example Arluke, Levin, Luke &
Ascione (1999) published an article titled “The Relationship of Animal Abuse to
Violence and Other Forms of Antisocial Behavior” in the Journal of Interpersonal
Violence, which indicates that there is an association between animal abuse and a variety
of antisocial behaviors. I mention this article in particular because its methodology was
very robust and the findings, I believe, are based on highly reliable and valid sources of
data.
Now is a pivotal time in our society and it requires that we make a strong statement by
enforcing the maximum punishment possible for the man who dragged the dog with his car. We
should also consider revising the current laws so that stricter punishments may be
awarded. I will provide you with two reasons why this is such:
1. Now is a time in which our society greatly suffers from an over
abundance of hatred, ignorance, prejudices, etc.
2. And, although there have been many other times in history dating back
hundreds of years in which the existence of cruelty and all the above can be documented,
we are more sophisticated now than ever. This means that we can either use our
sophistication to become most cruel and commit evil acts, or we can take our
sophistication and become teachers of humane education and societal problem solvers.
Help us proponents of change and humane education activists make this a better place to
live by sending out a message that cruel behavior, whether intended for humans or animals,
will not be tolerated for the simple fact that it is unnecessary and terribly immoral.
Please spread my message to everyone you are able to reach. Let’s face it,knowing
what we know today, what these people do is extremely cruel and someone capable of
committing such acts is clearly a threat to society!
Sincerely,
Dr. Jeanette Shutay Ph.d
Board Member 21st Century Animal Resource & Education Services |
THE FOLLOWING IS A VERY ENERGETIC READ.
It
is patently absurd and maddening to partake in religious services and witness this
disgraceful neglect and ironic distortion of the base fundamental taught in virtually
all major religions, the Golden Rule. Surely if there is a blueprint for human behavior
whether you're religious or irreligious, it's the Golden Rule! "Do Unto Others as You
Would Have Them Do Unto You!" A child could see that this applies a thousand-fold to
innocent, defenseless animals!
Perhaps too, the major religions should consider the words of Socrates, who, although
an atheist, surpassed hypocrisy with his dictum: "There is but one good,
knowledge;
there is but one evil, ignorance." The more you consider that, the more
profoundly it
affects you.
You may be interested in this excerpt of an email letter I sent to Rabbi Gellman and
Monsignor Hartman of "The God Squad" some months back. They work cooperatively
to
address issues and are seen periodically in various media outlets. As expected, I
never heard back from them; the silence is deafening! I think many of these religious
leaders are pathetically ignorant on these issues, much as medical doctors, for so
long, were so ignorant and shamefully uninformed on nutrition issues. At least, however,
they woke up and are much more enlightened today!
"Dear Rabbi Gellman and Monsignor Hartman,
Congratulations and thanks for your Newsday article of 9/23/02 referring to the religious
significance of vegetarianism. You make some excellent points that at least demonstrate
respect and consideration for animals. I must admit however, that the absence of a strong
stand emanating from the major religions against animal cruelty and society's mind-numbing
failures to fully value and protect our animals, especially for those of us raised in
the Judeo/Christian faith, is like an ever-present ache in our hearts; a huge gap waiting
to be filled!
It is perhaps the ultimately tragic irony that humans seemingly are incapable of
perceiving what empathy and compassion for animals could mean to the entire human race.
Although the Abrahamic faiths of Judaism, Christianity and Islam may not consider animals
as having souls (respectfully, if not sacrilegiously questioned) as one priest commented
in The Tablet, "where there is love there is God." Well put! Humans experience
what we
refer to as unconditional love from animals. Every day, another health benefit is reported
to be enjoyed by humans as a result of associations with animals. The fidelity of dogs to
humans is unsurpassed among all living species; yet our treatment of them compared to the
their treatment of us is a disgrace to, and a diminishment of, the human condition.
Frankly, religions are missing the boat on this issue. Consider the overwhelming and
irrefutable evidence linking animal cruelty to human violence. Those of us involved in
Humane Education consider the teaching of respect, understanding, caring and
responsibility toward animals as perhaps the greatest deterrent to violence against all
living creatures that we have. Did you ever hear of a person raised in a culture of
respect, compassion and responsible involvement with animals as becoming a serial killer?
We need a quantum leap in speaking out for animals by our religions. We don't celebrate
our great leaders who provide great insights into respect and compassion for animals
enough in our religious services, sermons and homilies. More tributes should be paid to
Gandhi, St. Francis of Assisi, Albert Schweitzer, Albert Einstein, Tolstoy, The Dalai
Lama, Isaac Bashevis, Nehru, Mark Twain, Abraham Lincoln, Adlai Stevenson, Ralph Waldo
Emerson, Rachel Carson and so many others that are rarely, if ever, referred to in
services.
Talk about a "Prayer of the Faithful"; Dr. Albert Schweitzer's quote,
"until he extends
the circle of compassion to all living things, man will not himself find peace"
should be
urged to be prayed, repeated, and emblazoned on every house of worship in every religion
on this planet.
Lastly, when we consider that animals, in their innocence and as defenseless co-inhab-
itants of our planet, virtually liberate us from the imprisonment of self, which we
humans are bound by with our limitations, foibles and biologically inborn selfishness,
it's all the more painful that our religions fail so miserably in taking a leadership
role in promulgating animal protection as a moral imperative and to the ennoblement of
the human condition.
Sincerely,
Joseph Pastore
Flushing, NY
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FINAL CHALLENGE
I will make this impassioned challenge to
all who preach, spread and share the gospel. Gather some information on you local
area by speaking to your local humane society in detail: contact your local
police as well. You will be amazed at the numbers and the level of abuse they witness
on a daily basis in your own back yard. Find out what problems they see as crucial
to the beginnings of an improved society - beginning where all larger than life projects
begin - at the root level - the home.
Then bring this information to the pulpit
one Sunday in the future. Clearly outline that much of what we do TO our animals
are certainly not beneficial to their existence - such as tying them to a fence
post. Locking them outside in small cages or pens. The unnecessary
restrictions these dogs suffer from, lack of social interaction and exercise and extreme
temperatures lends itself to uncontrollable behavior and attacks, medical problems
that are usually noticed too late, unwanted litters - adding to the already overwhelming
number of slaughters seen in this country.
This leads to a life of neglect, illness
and other problems caused by the treatment by humans - resulting in a life span that is 7
years less than a dog who sleeps inside the home at night and has proper exercise.
I'm talking about this community where EVERYONE has their dog on a short chain outside.
Between coyotes, rattlesnakes scorpions and
heat strokes, you can see a home change dogs once a year or more. but they get the next
little puppy and tie it to the same chain. Your community will have similar challenges.
With all the studies that are out now on so many matters, these issues are clearly no
longer ones of personal opinion, but moreso those of right and wrong. These people are
wrong. the churches could and should step in, give details and speak out.
Have a list of do's and don'ts for the
congregation to take with them. Many argue that it is their right to do this and to do
that. It is NOT anyone's right to cause harm to an animal. .
It's clear there will be animals in heaven
as there were animals in the Garden of Eden. So, when we see clearly that abuse is
current in our very own congregations, why does the church choose to ignore them here on
earth? Remember, '.....not a sparrow shall fall from the sky....."?
Dogs are more of a role model than we give
them credit for. If we learn to listen to the voices of our pets, it will enhance
our emotional and spiritual growth as well as give new meaning to the phrase,
"Man's Best Friend'
Readings for
your sermon and Sunday School Classes:
IMPORTANCE OF HUMANE EDUCATION
by Dr. Jeanette Shutay Ph.d
http://www.21stcenturycares.org/hcy.htm
http://www.21stcenturycares.org/freekits.htm
http://www.21stcenturycares.org/petsinheaven.htm
http://www.21stcenturycares.org/istole.htm
http://www.21stcenturycares.org/truestory.htm
Randy N. Warner |
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HUMANE
RELIGION