Animals... (ritual, moral, Earth, Kingdom, creation)

[Dream Angel]

A lot of these forums are about us human beings... what about animals? Whats the different religious perspective on them and what proof/reasoning do they have. Do they have souls, do they go to "dog heaven" etc or were they just put on this earth for us to eat. If you dont agree with either of those, what is the purpose of the animal?

Many thanks and look forward to hearing your points of view!

[Aqualung]

My belief is that all living things, like humans, were created spiritually before they were created physically. So I guess they have souls of sorts.

[!Fluffy!]

Originally Posted by Aqualung

My belief is that all living things, like humans, were created spiritually before they were created physically. So I guess they have souls of sorts.

Cool idea. I like it.

[Popeyesays]

Abdu'l Baha tells us:
"Then, O ye friends of God! Ye must not only have kind and merciful feelings for mankind, but ye should also exercise the utmost kindness towards every living creature. The physical sensibilities and instincts are common to animal and man. Man is, however, negligent of this reality and imagines that sensibility is 374 peculiar to mankind, therefore he practices cruelty to the animal. In reality what difference is there in physical sensations! Sensibility is the same whether you harm man or animal: there is no difference. Nay, rather, cruelty to the animal is more painful because man has a tongue and he sighs, complains and groans when he receives an injury and complains to the government and the government protects him from cruelty; but the poor animal cannot speak, it can neither show its suffering nor is it able to appeal to the government. If it is harmed a thousand times by man it is not able to defend itself in words nor can it seek justice or retaliate. Therefore one must be very considerate towards animals and show greater kindness to them than to man. Educate the children in their infancy in such a way that they may become exceedingly kind and merciful to the animals. If an animal is sick they should endeavor to cure it; if it is hungry, they should feed it; if it is thirsty, they should satisfy its thirst; if it is tired, they should give it rest."
(Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith - Abdu'l-Baha Section, p. 373)

[Dream Angel]

Originally Posted by Popeyesays

Abdu'l Baha tells us:
"Then, O ye friends of God! Ye must not only have kind and merciful feelings for mankind, but ye should also exercise the utmost kindness towards every living creature. The physical sensibilities and instincts are common to animal and man. Man is, however, negligent of this reality and imagines that sensibility is 374 peculiar to mankind, therefore he practices cruelty to the animal. In reality what difference is there in physical sensations! Sensibility is the same whether you harm man or animal: there is no difference. Nay, rather, cruelty to the animal is more painful because man has a tongue and he sighs, complains and groans when he receives an injury and complains to the government and the government protects him from cruelty; but the poor animal cannot speak, it can neither show its suffering nor is it able to appeal to the government. If it is harmed a thousand times by man it is not able to defend itself in words nor can it seek justice or retaliate. Therefore one must be very considerate towards animals and show greater kindness to them than to man. Educate the children in their infancy in such a way that they may become exceedingly kind and merciful to the animals. If an animal is sick they should endeavor to cure it; if it is hungry, they should feed it; if it is thirsty, they should satisfy its thirst; if it is tired, they should give it rest."
(Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith - Abdu'l-Baha Section, p. 373)

I love the idea... so why do we eat them?

[Popeyesays]

A huge volume of religious law governs the harvesting of animals for food. It's not like it's a new question. Societal and religious law govern the meat packing process. I'm not a vegetarian, and have no real desire to be one. I don't have a moral question about it unless the animal is subjected to terror and pain in the process. Your mileage may vary.

Regards,
Scott

[BruceDLimber]

Hi!

The Baha'i scriptures say that animals are in a separate category from humans. They describe five of what we call "Kingdoms of Creation." These are, in ascending order:

• mineral
• vegetable
• animal
• human
• Divine Messenger

Each level has the attributes of the lower ones, and adds something additional.

For example, humans have an eternal soul; animals do not.

Best, :-)

Bruce

[Gentoo]

I believe that we are no different than animals on all accounts. What happens to us, happens to them. Whether they are "separate but equal" or not remains to be seen at this point to me.

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by laws28186

What about animals? Whats the different religious perspective on them and what proof/reasoning do they have. Do they have souls, do they go to "dog heaven" etc or were they just put on this earth for us to eat.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believes that animals have souls and will be resurrected. As an animal lover (see my title), that doctrine is a great source of comfort to me.