Can a Christian support PETA?

Answer

PETA is an acronym for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. According to their website, PETA is an international organization formed in 1980 that is “dedicated to establishing and defending the rights of all animals. PETA operates under the simple principle that animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on, or use for entertainment. PETA educates policymakers and the public about animal abuse and promotes kind treatment of animals.” Proverbs 12:10 tells us that the righteous man cares for the life of his beast, so the biblical principle is that we should treat animals humanely; however, PETA goes far beyond the biblical principle.

Cruelty in any form is a violation of God’s nature and not His plan for those who inhabit His earth «The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: But he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh. », (Proverbs 11:17). When God gave Adam dominion over all the animals «And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. », (Genesis 1:26), He expected the man to learn about them, care for them, breed them, and utilize them to meet the needs of humanity. Mankind quickly learned that wool from sheep makes excellent garments and also helps the sheep shed its heavy coat. Milk from goats and cows makes a healthy addition to the diet of people. And the God-designed bodies of oxen, mules, and horses have benefited mankind in thousands of ways for centuries.

But God also gave animals for meat. In Genesis 9:2–4, after the flood, God gave Noah specific instructions.

Concerning dietary laws, man was no longer limited to a vegetarian diet. All animals were now considered permissible as food. The only stipulation was that animals could not be consumed with blood in them. Blood symbolized the sanctity of life, and even when consuming animals, people were to acknowledge that they had taken a life that only God can create “For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.”, (Leviticus 17:11). Subsequent medical research confirmed that this practice is also beneficial, as consuming undercooked meat can lead to illness. God’s directives are always for our benefit.

If PETA’s primary focus were solely on the humane treatment of animals, Christians could wholeheartedly endorse their objectives. However, PETA extends beyond that by granting animals “rights” that mirror those of humans. Ingrid Newkirk, the founder of PETA, declared, “When it comes to pain, love, joy, loneliness, and fear, a rat is a pig is a dog is a boy. Each one cherishes their life and resists the knife.” Statements like these elevate PETA’s aims to extreme levels that Bible-respecting Christians cannot support. Humans are distinct from animals.

According to PETA’s website, “only prejudice allows us to deny others the rights that we expect to have for ourselves. Whether it’s based on race, gender, sexual orientation, or species, prejudice is morally unacceptable.” Consequently, PETA attributes to animals the same sanctity of life that God bestowed upon humans. Scripturally, human life holds a unique significance. Jesus emphasized that the worth of a single human surpasses that of “many sparrows” “But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.”, (Luke 12:7). While God cares for the sparrows, His care for us is greater. Humankind is special in God’s eyes.

ans have a higher value.

God spoke the animals into existence (Genesis 1:20-25) as He did the sky, the stars, and the trees. However, men and women were created separately, in the image of God Himself «So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. », (Genesis 1:27). We are not just superior animals on the evolutionary ladder. We were intentionally created by God to have a relationship with Him. We possess an eternal spirit, a spirit that will exist forever, either with God or apart from Him (John 3:16-18, 36). This does not apply to animals.

Throughout the Bible, animals were utilized, ridden, bred, owned, and consumed by human beings (Deuteronomy 12:15,20;Leviticus 6:25-27). Jesus Himself rode a donkey, ate fish, and shared a story in which a fatted calf was sacrificed (Luke 15:23;Luke 19:35;Luke 24:42-43). In the Old Testament, God illustrated His narrative of redemption through the ongoing sacrificial offerings of animals. Hebrews 9:22 states that without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins. Prior to Jesus shedding His own blood «for this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. », (Matthew 26:28), forgiveness was obtained through the blood of unblemished lambs, bulls, and goats (Leviticus 4:32-33). The God who created the animals also decreed their sacrifice as part of His plan of atonement.

One of the Jewish hoHolidays mentioned in Scripture include Passover, a time to remember the exodus from Egypt. During the first Passover, a lamb was sacrificed, and its blood was applied to the doorposts of Jewish homes to protect the firstborn from death (Exodus 12:21-22). PETA finds God’s requirement for blood sacrifices unacceptable, putting them in direct opposition to God and the Bible. By elevating the animal kingdom beyond God’s intention, PETA has devalued the sanctity of human life. Interestingly, many PETA supporters also advocate for abortion.

Christians can agree with PETA that any form of cruelty towards living beings, including animals, is unjust. It is acceptable to support more humane methods of slaughtering animals or using them in research when available. Taking action against disease-ridden puppy mills, exposing inhumane practices in laboratories or entertainment industries, and advocating for restrictions on animal ownership by those deemed unfit are all ways Christians can align with PETA’s objectives. However, a discerning Christian understands that PETA’s beliefs do not align with the Christian worldview and, therefore, cannot be fully endorsed.