THE BIBLE'S VIEWPOINT/ANIMALs

Is it wrong to kill animals? 

WHAT PEOPLE SAY. Some hunters and fishermen kill animals for sport, thrilling in the chase or the conquest. Others would agree with Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy, who wrote that killing and eating animals is "simply immoral." 

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS. God allows people to kill animals to protect human life or to provide clothing.  (Exodus 21:28; Mark 1:6) The Bible also says that humans may kill for food.  "Every moving animal that is alive may serve as food for you," says  Genesis 9:3. Even Jesus helped his disciples to catch fish that they later ate. -John 21:4-13. 

Nevertheless, the Bible says that God "hates anyone who loves violence." (Psalm 11:5) So it stands to reason that God does not want us to harm or kill animals merely for pleasure or sport.

The Bible indicates that God places a high value on animal life.

*The Bible says that at the time of creation, "God went on to make the wild animals of the earth according to their kinds and the domestic animals according to their kinds and all the creeping animals of the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good." -Genesis 1:25. 

* The Bible says of Jehovah:  "To the animals he gives food." (Psalm 147:9)  God created an ecosystem that provides more than enough adequate food and shelter for animals. 

* King David of Israel said in prayer: "Man and beast you preserve, O Jehovah." (Psalm 36:6) During the global Flood, for example, Jehovah preserved eight individuals and all kinds of animals before destroying the wicked people. - Genesis 6:19. 

Clearly, Jehovah approves of his animal creation, and he expects humans to treat animals with due regard. 

Next time: DO YOU USE DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY WISELY? 

From the AWAKE! magazine, 2015