>i hear Christians constantly saying that animals dont have souls; so
>what use are they but for food?  but those Christians obviously do not
>read the bible.  we are the supposed STEWARDS of the land.  that doesnt
>mean OWNERS.  that doesnt mean DESTRUCTORS.
 
Okay yes I am a christian and I don't quite believe animals have souls.
And originally (in the garden of eden) animals were only companions and
they were made for our enjoyment and for us to take care of.  But after
the fall, animals became more than just companions.  They became means to
obtain food, clothing, to help us do our work etc.  etc.  That is what
they are for.  They are not gods and shouldn't be treated as such.  YES
we ARE supposed to be STEWARDS.  We are supposed to take care of this
land and all of the animals.  I agree with you there.  A steward is
someone who takes care of something for the owner.  That is what we
should be doing.  No in general we're not doing a good Job.  But don't
go pegging all the blame on Christians and people who think that animals
don't have souls.
 
>when you learn compassion and unconditional love for ALL, that includes
>animals.  sometimes it takes trusting an animal or putting your life in
>an animals hands to reach that.  most of the time, it is just good
>parenting.  so, whoever you are that thinks human life is the end-all,
>i am sorry your parents brought you up that way.  because you are most
>definitely wrong.  i have never seen a malicious look from an animal,
>even when i was bit in the face by dogs.  an animal has never looked at
>me with disgust or pity.  animals dont kill to mount other animals on
>their walls.
 
Humans have been given the ability to feel emotions.  Animals don't have
the ability to feel all the emotions we do (I don't know how much they
can feel, but I think many people would claim they can definatly
love.)... And therefore there are some things that animals can just not
feel.... Pity and disgust (though sometimes I think they can be disgusted
with something) are probably things they cannot feel and therefore, you
wouldn't see the look in their eyes of those feelings.  I think different
species of animals can feel different things because it's vital to their
survival.  So yea.  I dunno if that makes sense or conveys what I'm
trying to say.
 
True animals don't kill to have other animals on their walls, but they
do kill other animals and I think some species (I could be wrong) even
kill another and show it off to impress females or what ever.  Also,
there are plenty of animals that kill for fun or "play" with their prey.
Terrorizing it and killing it slowly.  You can't look at the good in
animals without looking at the bad.  The same with humans, you can't look
at the bad without looking at the good.  I agree with you that killing
big cats and other animals like that just to mount their heads on your
wall or have a rug is stupid..  Because they are endangered animals and
often it is done cruely..  The same with skinning animals for fur, it
should not be done in a cruel way and not done for "fasion" BUT hunting
is not cruel in and of itself..  Take pensylvania for example (though
they are stupid about it)..  There are WAY too many deer in PA..  So
many that they are starving and in such bad health..  And they cause
many many deaths of humans by getting hit by cars..  Correct hunting
would be hunting and killing (quickly and painlessly) the deer until the
population was restored to a good number.  Also hunting for food..  Or
for clothing..  If done properly is not wrong.  It's what they're there
for, but in knowing that we also need to remember we are stewards and
need to take care of our environment and resources.  I do agree with
you that there are many many people who are not doing this, but please
don't think that all people, or all christians are like that.  They..
And we ... Are not.
 
>regardless if you choose to ignore the theory of evolution, you need to
>respect and love animals unconditionally, because humans HARDLY ever love
>other humans.  i have helped people to be told i didnt help "enough".  i
>have loved and been told it wasnt good enough.  i would save an animals
>life before a humans, purely because humans have abused ME, i have never
>been abused by an animal.
 
Yes.  We all need to respect, care for, and love our animals.  Humans
never love other humans unconditionally, but I think everybody loves
somebody (as corny as that sounds)... We've all got our hang ups and
problems... And yes there are a lot of bad things that happen..  But
there are a lot of good things too.  I am incredibly sorry that humans
have abused you, but don't give up on us all yet.
 
>im so sorry for you.  and im sorry for me.  i cant see the value of
>humans, you obviously can.
 
Think of someone (a person) you love..... Can you see the value in them?
Think of someone who did something great in history..  Can you see the
value of them?... There's value in humans... Human life is a most
valuable thing.  It's often hard to see.  I've definatly been there and
somedays..  There's nothing you want more than to run away and be alone
with your dog or cat.  That's what they're there for.  =)
 
Please do not think I am saying animals are not important.  They are and
should be treated as such, we are stewards (as you so wonderfully put.)
Please also do not flame me for my opinons.  They are just that and
you're welcome to disagree.  I just felt that it should be stated that
not all of us are bad caretakers of animals.  =)
 
Sorry I haven't posted in a long time but I just moved to another state
and am on my second day of orientation for school.  Which reminds me.  I
gotta run!
 
Love you all!
- Jules & crew
 
[Moderator's note: It's beginning to stray from ferrets a bit -- I know
under the influences of Katrina this is a natural direction to take, but
if it gets out of hand we'll have to nudge things back to discussing
ferrets instead of theology, please!  BIG]
[Posted in FML issue 4995]