Are we Catholics sinning?

[Bluebright]

I think most people don’t know where their food comes from, admittedly they do not try to find out (ps…I am in UK not Amercia). I don’t think it is a sin as such because it is not like people always have a choice or know what they are buying into. Most people will chose the right thing when informed, if they can and we have forced all our big supermarkets to only buy free range eggs now and are busy forcing changes in chicken farming. I guess signing and campaigning works. Many people are too poor to chose the good meat and better farmed products. Especially in winter vegetables and fruit are too expensive an option. I think it’s a privilege to chose what you eat and if you can great, then fight for the rest of us who can’t. But it can’t be a sin to eat what you can afford. Yet we can fight back and campaign more so what we eat is better, if we are brave enough . Also, if you think of this, you have to think of our clothes, are they being made by those involved in forced labour? that is part of human trafficking we realise, so we should not be so quick to buy those discounted jeans either… now those we may not need… food, yep we need that. We all really need to take more responsibility for our social conscience …which is really hard.

 

[angell1]

not quite, having dominion over animals doen’st mean we just do what we want with no care to the consequences, same with plants. it is God’s creation after alland should be respected as such.

 

[angell1]

I don’t think the two issues are completely unrelated. I think, in general, if someone is intentionally cruel to animals, they tend to have little regard for humans as well. as least that has been my observation in my own life anyways

 

[TheLittleLady]

And also why do Catholics seem to support animal cruelty

From the Catechism
http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2c2a7.htm#2415

The Church is very clear on her teachings:

Respect for the integrity of creation

[2415] The seventh commandment enjoins respect for the integrity of creation. Animals, like plants and inanimate beings, are by nature destined for the common good of past, present, and future humanity.195 Use of the mineral, vegetable, and animal resources of the universe cannot be divorced from respect for moral imperatives. Man’s dominion over inanimate and other living beings granted by the Creator is not absolute; it is limited by concern for the quality of life of his neighbor, including generations to come; it requires a religious respect for the integrity of creation.196

[2416] Animals are God’s creatures. He surrounds them with his providential care. By their mere existence they bless him and give him glory.197 Thus men owe them kindness. We should recall the gentleness with which saints like St. Francis of Assisi or St. Philip Neri treated animals.

[2417] God entrusted animals to the stewardship of those whom he created in his own image.198 Hence it is legitimate to use animals for food and clothing. They may be domesticated to help man in his work and leisure. Medical and scientific experimentation on animals is a morally acceptable practice if it remains within reasonable limits and contributes to caring for or saving human lives.

[2418] It is contrary to human dignity to cause animals to suffer or die needlessly. It is likewise unworthy to spend money on them that should as a priority go to the relief of human misery. One can love animals; one should not direct to them the affection due only to persons.

 

[Hoosier-Daddy]

There is a difference between being intentionally cruel and just being accepting of a situation. A person who tortures a cat is morally evil compared to a chicken farmer feeding the masses.
That being said. I’ve seen predators play with their food for amusement before devouring. Granted we have a moral responsibility with our dominion to care for creation. No part of me blames a cat for toying with a mouse. Animals are not people. Not even close. They are creation and we should respect and care for creation. To do otherwise is to offend the Creator. But I will indeed eat some tasty meat tonight. I dont mind the store meat and restraunts. I’ve harvested meat myself and many times deer,elk, duck, pheasant don’t live a life free of torture. In fact quite the opposite.