Why do Christians abuse, torture and eat animals and justify it by saying God gave man dominion over animals?

Question

It is true that someone wrote something like that, or at least it got translated like that in some editions of the Bible, but how does "having dominion" give one the right to abuse animals? That interpretation makes about as much sense as the interpretation that the Constitution means individuals have a right to own and kill each other with guns.

For anyone who seriously wants to know more about how we torture animals before we eat them, click on the following link:

http://factoryfarming.org/

Answer 1

Let me answer your question with recommendation.  Read "God is not Great" by Christopher Hitchens.  New York Times bestseller... you might be able to pick it off a bargain shelf or something.

Answer 2

I agree with you. The processing line that animals must endure is horrific. If people only knew how these slaughter-houses killed the animals, many of them would become ill. The US is way behind Europe in humane slaughter practices.

I don't think it is only Christians to blame. It is human nature to put ourselves on a pedestal. We are carnivores as well as herbivores. The only difference is we are smart enough to make our own decisions.

Answer 3

idk what you're implying, but christians don't abuse or torture animals, for one thing the opposite can be said. my question is why you narrowed it down to christians, pagans sacrifice animals to this day. sometimes meanings can be lost in translation, and also you might misinterpret something...

Answer 4

First the Bible is fiction most of it is parables told by Jesus. Taking your quote would also go along the lines of asking how big was the boat Noah made to carry all the animals. And all the meat eaters aren't just Christians. The only ones that don't are the veggie only eaters. And I'm pretty sure at the meat factories they don't discriminate ageist all religions aside from Christians. Questioning religion is one of the worse thing to question because of every little inconstancy that exists between stories.

Answer 5

Animals taste good. We grow them specifically for food so as not to unbalance nature. If you want to be a vegetarian, fine. Leave us carnivores alone

Answer 6

Animals we kill are used to eat and to make clothing, and in the Bible it wasn't abuse it was a sacrafice to God so your sins will be forgiven upon you. The Lord knows why we must sacrafice animals along time ago. God only tells us what He wants us to know the rest He does not tell us for He limits our knowledge.

Answer 7

You are directing your question to the wrong religion. Don't single people out for that purpose. A lot of people are misformed and have the wrong upbringing and information. Don't blame us for the few who make us look bad. In answer to your question, I think, we are meant to be the caretakers of our Earth: the intelligent species. Unfortunately, that is not what's happening. The word "dominion" can be interpreted in many ways or or maybe it's the wrong choice of words that give the conception of dominant because it sounds negative. remember the Bible was re-written in Middle Ages. There has been proof of that.

Answer 8

Because they taste good. You are mixing up 2 books. That is really a stretch of the imagination. I agree some practices are cruel, but your basic premise is incorrect.

Answer 9

As much as I know, people of almost all the religions eat animals, as well as the most of atheists. But if you are curious about the Christian interpretation, then you should know that it's said that God gave animals to men "to be useful for him", so it doesn't mean "eating" exclusively, and obviously not torturing. You forget milk, eggs, help in carrying and fieldwork, which was very important in old times. Furher: many Christians don't eat meat and animal products during their fasts, which makes half a year. And further again: monks of some Christian grupations don't eat meat at all. I don't know what interpretation you mean, but that's a misinterpretation obviously. Any "dominion" can mean only a dominion of man's brain compared to animal's, which includes care about animals as well.

Answer 10

Not true.  I am a christian, I do not torture animals or abuse them.  Also the constitution  gives us the right to bear arms, not kill anyone.  Individuals have to take responsibility for their own actions.

Answer 11

That is utter nonsense.  Christians or ranchers don't torture animals.  The wouldn't even be alive if there were not people who wanted to eat them.  They are not caring for the animals to feel good about themselves.  It is a business and at least the animals have a reason to be alive.  Without it they wouldn't even get the chance.