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severus68
Guest
No one wants to die especially in a fire for instance. I would risk my life to save an animal, amother of God’s creatues.
Is it immoral to attempt to save one's pet and thereby sacrifice oneself?
- Thread starter meltzerboy
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Bookcat
Guest
CCC
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.
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.
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Rence
Guest
Bookcat, you can quote whatever you want to quote, but it doesn’t cover making animals helpless and then abandoning them when they’re in trouble. If one doesn’t want to be responsible for making an animal helpless, then they simply shouldn’t have pets. It’s okay if you disagree with me. But it’s contrary to human dignity to cause animals to suffer or die needlessly…so don’t make them completely dependent on someone who doesn’t want the responsibility that goes along with it.
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Bookcat
Guest
One cannot trade ones life for fido’s or miss kitty.
I have a dog and two cats.
Am I going to take the dog out the window with me? or if it is reasonable take the cats (they do not sleep in the same room with us)?..sure.
But am I have my own life and that of my wife and child…and my need to be around for them too boot.
I will tell the firemen about the cats when the arrive in moments.
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Rence
Guest
And there’s nothing wrong with that. You hit the nail on the head with “reasonable”. But the one who determines he/she can run in and get them can do so without worrying about being ‘immoral’ by doing so, which is what the original question was.
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3DOCTORS
Guest
I once drove through the tail-end of a powerful tornado to get home to my pets. That I was in the actual tornado I didn’t know at the time - I knew the storm was fierce and I was very scared. At its strongest the storm had earlier killed several people.
A couple days later, after viewing huge uprooted trees near where I’d driven, I went to confession about the whole business. And yet, it’s still a tough call, since my pets are my only companions in the home, and they help me keep loneliness and anxiety and depression at bay.
Maybe the best thing to do is pray that we don’t have to face such choices . . .
A couple days later, after viewing huge uprooted trees near where I’d driven, I went to confession about the whole business. And yet, it’s still a tough call, since my pets are my only companions in the home, and they help me keep loneliness and anxiety and depression at bay.
Maybe the best thing to do is pray that we don’t have to face such choices . . .
meltzerboy
New member
Great responses from all! It’s an even more complicated situation than I had originally thought. Many thanks.
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