Stewardship of Animals
Thought of the Day:
“O God, source of life and power, Who feedeth the birds of the heavens, increase our tenderness towards all the creatures of Thy hand. Help us to refrain from petty acts of cruelty, or thoughtless deeds of harm to any living animal. May we care for them at all times, especially during hard weather, and protect them from injury so that they learn to trust us as friends. Let our sympathy grow with knowledge, so that the whole creation may rejoice in Thy presence.”
Unknown
Thinking Outside of the Box:
Everyone knows the Biblical story of creation. God created light and kind of went from there, ending up with people. (Wondered if he regretted that one?) Anyway, along the way, plants, trees, creepy crawly things, birds, fish, animals and a whole lot of stuff was made. (I don’t know how, I don’t have any opinion on the whole creationism thing – whether it is literal or if God set evolution into gear is immaterial to me. It works – that is all I care about.)
After he was done, washed up and ready for supper, God said, “Let us make man to our image and likeness; and let him have dominion over the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the air, and the beasts, and the whole earth, and every creeping creature that moveth upon the earth.” (Genesis 1:26 and incidentally, woman was created AFTER this dominion command so it is implicity implied that woman is not, assuming she could be, dominated by man – loved, yes, dominated, no!)
So what’s up with this dominion thing? Dominion is defined as, “control or the exercise of control.” That doesn’t mean abuse and it doesn’t mean living life without regard to the creatures that share our planet.
I find it ironic that the very people that claim to have received this 
command from God Himself, namely many in the Christian movement, have interpreted this in a way I cannot understand. They have taken a stand of anti-environmentalism.
I say this as a Catholic so I am, in my opinion, fit to opinionate on this – I interpret dominion differently, as do most people.
This is important, so please consider it. Dominion does not mean dumping toxic waste into lakes and rivers. Dominion does not mean hunting animals into extinction. And dominion certainly does not mean using animals to test our cosmetics and household cleaners.
Dominion means responsibly caring for and living with the animals on the planet. Each is a part of a delicately balanced ecosystem that was created by whatever means, and shouldn’t be tampered with. At times, we do need animals for products and at those times respect and kindness is appropriate.
Just my vent for the day. I do become upset at some of the things people do to their pets and to wildlife. If one person thinks differently after reading this, I am pleased.
Some Last Thoughts:
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
Mahatma Gandhi
“The bee is more honored than other animals, not because she labors, but because she labors for others.”
St. John Chrysostom
“Women and birds are able to see without turning their heads, and that is indeed a necessary provision for they are both surrounded by enemies.”
Unknown
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