Is being pro animal cruelty a common Catholic belief?

[Rence]

Multiple people state that animals do not matter because abortion exists, and that because humans have a relationship with God and animals don’t, only our behavior towards humans, not animals, matter. They also harshly criticize doing any volunteer work in order to help animals because they say this time should be used advocating in favor of humans, which makes no sense.

Those people would not be pleased to know that I donated $500 to the ASPCA last year according to the tax document they sent me. I know what you mean, I’ve come across people on this forum who have said being a vet is worthless and wasteful. That they would let an animal die on the street rather than miss the opportunity to put a bandaid on a human because that is more important, and no one should ever have a reason to bring their pet to the vet because any one of their neighbors could use the money more
By the way, this is money another person has earned, not themselves. They must be one of the 1% being that they are so eager to tell someone else how to spend their money

Because why on earth is it okay for them to go to a movie for two hours and not be told, “Why don’t you spend that time fighting against abortion or for human rights!” but when I spend two hours at an animal shelter, that makes me a bad person because I could be spending that time helping humans instead…even though I already do spend time helping humans.

I am of the belief that if everyone did their job, there would be enough help to go around. There is no reason in the world why you can’t spend two hours at the animal shelter, while some other person spends 2 hours at the women’s shelter. That way both are taken care of. There’s enough of us to go around. These folks who try to pry everyone away from their calling are simply just selfish. I would interact with that type of person as little as possible.

basically that thread presents a false dichotomy, they claim you can only care for humans OR animals, it’s apparently a zero sum game. They claim that if one cares about animals and for instance, advocates for their good treatment, this means you don’t care about humans and are pro abortion (???).

Yes, I’ve come across those posts from time to time too. It’s fun to argue with them in the beginning, but it does get boring. You’ll learn Some days you’ll like to point out how silly it is to make those claims, and some days it’s not worth the effort.

Just keep doing what you do Helena. You’re great!

 

[Armor_of_Light]

Spencelo and the militant vegans saturated the boards with all this nonsense a few months ago.

 

[R_C]

Please look at the “do liberals care about animals more than people?” Multiple people state that animals do not matter because abortion exists, and that because humans have a relationship with God and animals don’t, only our behavior towards humans, not animals, matter.

Ok, how does the above justify your affirmation that "Catholics advocated animal cruelty to the point that they describe being against animal cruelty as “disturbed” and “disgraceful.”?

This is a very offensive statement that you came up with and - obviously - without the least justification, and I would report it as a reason for banning.

If you are here to discuss with us, we are here to reply in the spirit of charity. If you are here to misunderstand the statement of users and rephrase them in offensive ways, then probably you are in the wrong place.

But don’t worry. As Catholics, we are used to such harsh treatment.

And mind you, nobody has ever treated animals with greater dignity than the Catholic Church. In fact, 800 years ago the seraphic father St. Francis of Assisi was, by God’s grace, able to speak to animals in a way that shows the profoundity of their communion with man and with our common Creator, and ever since the Holy Church has a special day for the blessing of animals - both for work and for domestic. Remind me how the secular world takes care of the dignity of the animal kingdom again?

 

[Rence]

I haven’t read the thread to which you refer above. But have read some pretty crazy posts in the past few months from people here that were just like Helena described. I think those people are terribly disturbed and just stay away from them

 

[meltzerboy]

I am new to this website, and one of the most disturbing things I have seen here is a thread in which Catholics advocated animal cruelty to the point that they describe being against animal cruelty as “disturbed” and “disgraceful.” People there mostly state that because animals do not have the personal relationship with God humans have, they do not matter, and it is okay to do anything we want to them, and in fact, anyone who cares about animals and does not want to harm them is some sort of crazy person. Another big thing is that apparently because abortion exists, that makes it okay to be cruel to animals. I just don’t understand why more suffering and cruelty is the “answer” to the terrible tragedy that is abortion. I have never been taught that, as a Catholic, if other people are committing violence and cruelty (i.e. abortion), then that makes it okay for you to be violent and cruel yourself. I was always taught it is our responsibility to be better than that, to have compassion for all living things…yes, even things that we ultimately will eat.

I have never, ever encountered this pro animal cruelty mentality in any Catholic Church or group I have ever participated in. I have always been taught that animals are part of God’s creation, and as such should be valued, and we are their stewards. I was taught that although animals are ours to use, it is our responsibility to be as kind to them as possible, and to be thankful to them for the gifts they give us in terms of food, clothing, labor, and companionship. The churches I have attended have had blessings of the animals, and have had animal related charitable events. The idea that it is okay to be cruel to animals is a notion I have never come across in Catholic teachings…yet on this website, people seem absolutely delighted at the idea of animal cruelty.

Is being pro animal cruelty a common Catholic belief, and this is just something I was sheltered from, for whatever reasons I was lucky enough to attend Churches that did not subscribe to this mentality? If so, what is the scriptural basis that justifies animal cruelty? Also, what about the fact that there is a strong link between cruelty to animals and cruelty to people, so that if people are taught to be cruel to animals, there is a very strong possibility that person’s cruelty will extend to humans as well?

The thread you are alluding to asks the question whether liberals are kinder to animals than they are to humans. It does not, however, advocate animal cruelty. If anything, it is an attack on liberals for lavishing more attention on animals than they do on people. I liked your replies on that thread, and I agree with you that just because liberals (or conservatives) are kind to animals, that does not mean they value animals more than people. While I disagree with the OP’s assumptions about liberals, as well as the notion that all or most liberals support organizations such as PETA, I did not find that anyone on the thread was actually advocating animal cruelty.

 

[Rence]

Originally Posted by polki
I know a Catholic who criticized me for volunteering at the animal shelter saying “I don’t understand how anyone can devote their time to helping homeless animals when there are so many homeless people who need help.” This is the same person who, when I asked why he spent X amount of money on a Caribbean cruise rather than giving it to the homeless shelter said “I am supporting the minimum wage workers on the ship.”

You are against vacations?

That’s not what she said at all whatsoever. Polki pointed out the selfishness of someone criticizing Polki for volunteering at the animal shelter rather than doing something for homeless people. But that same person didn’t see the irony who, rather than doing something for homeless people, went on a Caribbean cruise. For some of us, being with animals is our Caribbean cruise. So while this one person went on their Caribbean cruise, they couldn’t help but point out that spending time with animals in the animal shelter was just too extravagant and she should otherwise be spending time with homeless people. I hope this explains the difference so you understand what Polki is trying to say

 

[vames]

I have always been taught that animals are part of God’s creation, and as such should be valued, and we are their stewards. I was taught that although animals are ours to use, it is our responsibility to be as kind to them as possible, and to be thankful to them for the gifts they give us in terms of food, clothing, labor, and companionship.

Me too. Because this is the stance of the Catholic Church You can find it affirmed very clearly in the encyclical Caritas in Veritate, chapters 48-51:
vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20090629_caritas-in-veritate_en.html

 

[Rence]

Why can’t both problems be attended to at the same time? Why is it an either or? I could give you reasons why both are good. The animal shelter employs minimum wage workers as well.

It’s not either or. Some people are just selfish and others are not. It’s very natural to rally for one’s cause, or one’s passion. But not to the extent of criticizing others for their own. Both problems can be attended to at the same time

 

[KendraDZ1902]

That’s not what she said at all whatsoever. Polki pointed out the selfishness of someone criticizing Polki for volunteering at the animal shelter rather than doing something for homeless people. But that same person didn’t see the irony who, rather than doing something for homeless people, went on a Caribbean cruise. For some of us, being with animals is our Caribbean cruise. So while this one person went on their Caribbean cruise, they couldn’t help but point out that spending time with animals in the animal shelter was just too extravagant and she should otherwise be spending time with homeless people. I hope this explains the difference so you understand what Polki is trying to say

Polki and I already talked.

 

[rfournier103]

I am new to this website, and one of the most disturbing things I have seen here is a thread in which Catholics advocated animal cruelty to the point that they describe being against animal cruelty as “disturbed” and “disgraceful.” People there mostly state that because animals do not have the personal relationship with God humans have, they do not matter, and it is okay to do anything we want to them, and in fact, anyone who cares about animals and does not want to harm them is some sort of crazy person. Another big thing is that apparently because abortion exists, that makes it okay to be cruel to animals. I just don’t understand why more suffering and cruelty is the “answer” to the terrible tragedy that is abortion. I have never been taught that, as a Catholic, if other people are committing violence and cruelty (i.e. abortion), then that makes it okay for you to be violent and cruel yourself. I was always taught it is our responsibility to be better than that, to have compassion for all living things…yes, even things that we ultimately will eat.

I have never, ever encountered this pro animal cruelty mentality in any Catholic Church or group I have ever participated in. I have always been taught that animals are part of God’s creation, and as such should be valued, and we are their stewards. I was taught that although animals are ours to use, it is our responsibility to be as kind to them as possible, and to be thankful to them for the gifts they give us in terms of food, clothing, labor, and companionship. The churches I have attended have had blessings of the animals, and have had animal related charitable events. The idea that it is okay to be cruel to animals is a notion I have never come across in Catholic teachings…yet on this website, people seem absolutely delighted at the idea of animal cruelty.

Is being pro animal cruelty a common Catholic belief, and this is just something I was sheltered from, for whatever reasons I was lucky enough to attend Churches that did not subscribe to this mentality? If so, what is the scriptural basis that justifies animal cruelty? Also, what about the fact that there is a strong link between cruelty to animals and cruelty to people, so that if people are taught to be cruel to animals, there is a very strong possibility that person’s cruelty will extend to humans as well?

I have been a member here for almost one year and I have never seen anything that would lead me to believe that this site, or the Catholic Faith, endorses or even condones cruelty to animals. I cannot speak for anyone else here, but when I hear about or see cruelty to animals, I have a very hard time keeping my temper under control. I have owned dogs, rabbits, fish, and a hamster, and I treated them far better than most humans treat each other.

Honestly, I have no idea how you got that idea in your head, but it just ain’t true. There ARE some religions that definately mistreat animals, but Catholicism isn’t one of them. As for the attitudes of individual Catholics, we’re like any other segment of society; most of us are disgusted by animal cruelty, and some are even violently opposed to it.

Further investigation on your part is needed. God bless.

 

[ChibiViolet]

It is actually VERY CONTRARY to the Catholic Faith for anyone to cause undue pain to an animal. Animals have their place, which is to serve and provide for human needs, but to hurt them for fun is just twisted. It is best to treat them with due care and respect, no matter what shall become of them in the end. This life is all they have so it should be a happy one (well, all the dead animals could actually very well live again at the end of time, just like the plants, but they are not guaranteed this in Revelation like the plants are. I pray it will be as I love animals, especially cats.)

 

[fix]

And has ground it into a pen knife.

Yes, propaganda.

 

[Seeker1961]

I have been a member here for almost one year and I have never seen anything that would lead me to believe that this site, or the Catholic Faith, endorses or even condones cruelty to animals. I cannot speak for anyone else here, but when I hear about or see cruelty to animals, I have a very hard time keeping my temper under control. I have owned dogs, rabbits, fish, and a hamster, and I treated them far better than most humans treat each other.

Honestly, I have no idea how you got that idea in your head, but it just ain’t true. There ARE some religions that definately mistreat animals, but Catholicism isn’t one of them. As for the attitudes of individual Catholics, we’re like any other segment of society; most of us are disgusted by animal cruelty, and some are even violently opposed to it.

Further investigation on your part is needed. God bless.

I agree. I read the same thread and while I disagreed with some of the opinions, I didn’t come away with a feeling that animal cruelty was a common Catholic belief.

 

[Monte_RCMS]

Some people don’t understand nuanced standard language, but do fall into the trap of relying on extremes of language.

If you don’t support what they like, then YOU are guilty of hate speech.

If you quote someone directly, YOU may be guilty of demonizing that person, if the direct quote places that someone in a bad light.

If you say you prefer ordering a la carte rather than going to the salad bar, they might say “what do you have against salad bar”.

If you have a strangely arranged foreign language calendar, then you might be accused of hate speech …
… AND be charged with a bias crime.

One person served in the military doing extremely dangerous & top secret work, but was falsely accused of “not serving” because the agency he was with did not count, accounting to the speaker, as “military”.

Seriously, every one of those is a REAL LIFE example.

There are many more examples.

Interested people may wish to read books by George Orwell … 1984 and Animal Farm … for examples of unnuanced language being substituted for critical thinking.

 

[Seira]

Also, I don’t have the actual quote at my fingertips, but Pope John Paul II once responded, when asked, that he believed animals had simple souls and could be with us in Heaven.

Bl. JPII rocks. So tired of hearing theories about animals souls not being in Heaven or ceasing to exist after death. Nice to hear different. I hope he’s right.

As for the whole animal abuse thing. I think there should be tougher laws as usually people who torture & abuse animals usually end up doing the same to people (abusers, serial killers, etc…). People that abuse animals lack a basic respect for life.

 

[marywarfield]

The poster, coming from out of the blue as a “new member” is in my opinion merely a flamer. Yet so many fall for it, especially those who cannot discern the difficulties inherent in patheism and animism. And so far as the holiness of the baptized soul goes, those who would accord a lifestyle of a dog higher than those of suffering baptized souls we have this:
Matthew 7:6. Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.

Why?
2Peter 2.22. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: “A dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.”

 

[polki]

Just because someone is an animal lover doesn’t mean they don’t put human life first. That is just drawing unfair conclusions using disordered logic. The Catholic Church doesn’t teach that.

 

[fix]

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.

 

[Brendan_64]

I don’t know what forum you’ve been on, but catholic teaching has always taught that humans are to be stewards of the earth. Cruelty towards animals is absolutely prohibited in this light.

“If you have men who will exclude any of God’s creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men.” St Francis of Assisi.

 

[polki]

That’s not what she said at all whatsoever. Polki pointed out the selfishness of someone criticizing Polki for volunteering at the animal shelter rather than doing something for homeless people. But that same person didn’t see the irony who, rather than doing something for homeless people, went on a Caribbean cruise. For some of us, being with animals is our Caribbean cruise. So while this one person went on their Caribbean cruise, they couldn’t help but point out that spending time with animals in the animal shelter was just too extravagant and she should otherwise be spending time with homeless people. I hope this explains the difference so you understand what Polki is trying to say

Right and not only that, he tried to justify his choice to take a cruise with some bogus rational of being concerned with the minimal wage workers. What a crock. In my experience, some “religious” people love to criticize what others do and never look at the log in their own eye. We are called to live God’s law and preach it, not to judge others.