{"id":455,"date":"2023-10-27T19:19:35","date_gmt":"2023-10-27T19:19:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/encounterpgh.com\/blog\/?p=455"},"modified":"2023-10-27T19:27:06","modified_gmt":"2023-10-27T19:27:06","slug":"christianity-and-animal-rights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/encounterpgh.com\/blog\/christianity-and-animal-rights\/","title":{"rendered":"Christianity and Animal Rights"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"455\" class=\"elementor elementor-455\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-efe1bb4 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"efe1bb4\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4ed9ebd\" data-id=\"4ed9ebd\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b61cc57 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b61cc57\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.15.0 - 02-08-2023 *\/\n.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}<\/style><h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Relationship Between Christianity and Animals<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-cf31ece elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"cf31ece\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-0f24d6e\" data-id=\"0f24d6e\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aa945ef elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"aa945ef\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.15.0 - 02-08-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">The Bible is rich with references that highlight man&#8217;s relationship with animals. God creates animals, both wild and domestic, and declares them &#8216;good&#8217; in Genesis 1:25. In Genesis 9:9-11, God seals a covenant not only with Noah and his descendants but also with \u201cevery living creature.\u201d The New Testament also carries examples where animals play significant roles in Jesus&#8217;s life, like the donkey he rode into Jerusalem and the dove descending at his Baptism. These references point towards the value and sanctity of animal life.<\/span><\/p><p><span id=\"docs-internal-guid-7d59baba-7fff-afde-8075-fbba8a8a9fba\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">Christian saints like St. Francis of Assisi, known for their profound connection with animals, showcased deep respect and care for God&#8217;s animal creations, considering them brothers and sisters. These insights provide a backdrop for understanding the spiritual significance of animals in the Christian narrative.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e6eaa04 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e6eaa04\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-959f97b\" data-id=\"959f97b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5e5311e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5e5311e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Christian Teachings about Compassion and Stewardship <\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-455a2c9 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"455a2c9\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-eeb195e\" data-id=\"eeb195e\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-27ef204 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"27ef204\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.15.0 - 02-08-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"769\" src=\"https:\/\/encounterpgh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/OIG.yQkDWqpS9sv4KMgSwoCk.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-456\" alt=\"Christian Teachings about Compassion and Stewardship\" srcset=\"https:\/\/encounterpgh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/OIG.yQkDWqpS9sv4KMgSwoCk.jpg 1004w, https:\/\/encounterpgh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/OIG.yQkDWqpS9sv4KMgSwoCk-300x288.jpg 300w, https:\/\/encounterpgh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/OIG.yQkDWqpS9sv4KMgSwoCk-768x738.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1498f65\" data-id=\"1498f65\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-44993af elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"44993af\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">The beliefs and advocacies of Christianity globally point to the cultivation of kindness, compassion, and stewardship. The junction of these principles meets significantly in man&#8217;s relationship with animals, according to the Bible&#8217;s teachings. The Book of Genesis, specifically in verses 1:26-28, includes a specific dictum from God, entrusting mankind with &#8216;dominion&#8217; over animals. This &#8216;dominion,&#8217; should not be misunderstood as a permission to exert unbridled, oppressive control. Throughout the centuries, several theologians and scholars have clarified and emphasized it as a call for responsible stewardship. Mankind is expected to act as caring custodians, ensuring the well-being and sustainability of animal life in a profound realization that, like humans, animals too are part of God&#8217;s glorious creation.<\/span><\/p><p><span id=\"docs-internal-guid-8e12689b-7fff-176e-d614-e1b7131d8ea8\">\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;\">Christian teachings routinely underscore the principles of compassion, mercy, and love, not merely to fellow humans but manifesting these towards all of God\u2019s creation. The Psalms, especially Psalm 145:9, profoundly state that &#8220;The Lord is good to all, and His mercy is over all that he has made.&#8221; This verse essentially means that God&#8217;s domain of mercy and goodness permeates every creature He has crafted, hence affirms that kind treatment of animals should be an inherent Christian value.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">From this standpoint, behaving compassionately to animals is synonymous with practicing Christian values. Any insistence on cruelty and violence disrupts the harmony and respect for life, setting a direct contradiction with the call for stewardship and compassion. Such comprehensive interpretation encourages greater sensitivity towards animals&#8217; rights and welfare, reflecting true Christian stewardship as God&#8217;s co-caretakers in the world. <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3bf68da elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3bf68da\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-41354fd\" data-id=\"41354fd\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7536c35 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7536c35\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Role of Church and Clergy <\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-8764445 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"8764445\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9198394\" data-id=\"9198394\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bb32448 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bb32448\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">The role of the clergy and churches is fundamental in translating Christian teachings into actions, significantly so in the context of the treatment of animals. They infuse the importance of animal stewardship into their teachings and sermons, illuminating believers&#8217; understanding and responsibility towards the care, protection, and well-being of animals. They meticulously draw from Biblical scripture, pointing out mankind&#8217;s entrusted role of stewardship over God&#8217;s creations, emphasizing that it is not a choice but a God-given responsibility.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;\">Many parishes globally engage in special services like the &#8220;Blessing of the Animals.&#8221; This event, often celebrated in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi, involves clergy members praying for and blessing animals. It promotes an understanding where humans are not solitary in enjoying God&#8217;s grace but share it alongside the animal kingdom.<\/span><\/p><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">Churches and their affiliated organizations tirelessly extend their commitment beyond the confines of pulpits. They actively engage themselves in various animal welfare initiatives, collaborating with humane societies and rescue organizations, advocating for laws against animal cruelty and promoting ethical treatment. Some churches organize pet adoption drives, undertake veterinary assistance for less privileged pet owners, and carry out programs educating members on responsible pet ownership.<\/span><\/p><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">Outstanding among these actions is the inclusion of Saint Francis&#8217;s &#8220;Canticle of the Creatures&#8221; in the Catholic Church\u2019s liturgy. The canticle is a profound recognition of animals as fellow creatures of God and hence deserving respect and care. This seminal piece of praise not only underlines the spiritual significance of animals but also serves as a call to action for Christians worldwide to participate in the stewardship of their well-being.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;\">In this way, the Church and clergy embody the heart of Christian teachings, engaging in active compassion and reinforcing the belief that animals, too, belong to God&#8217;s creation, meriting love, respect, and care.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-10b5740 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"10b5740\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-42835bd\" data-id=\"42835bd\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-70f46c1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"70f46c1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Ethical Treatment of Animals and Christianity <\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-ddb8588 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"ddb8588\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9713e87\" data-id=\"9713e87\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8112a37 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8112a37\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">Precise alignment of the ethical treatment of animals within Christianity&#8217;s teachings forms a complex and nuanced discourse, given the divergence in interpretations, personal beliefs, and societal norms. Notwithstanding this complexity, the Church has always advocated for love, compassion, and responsible stewardship as fundamental principles when engaging with the natural world, including animals. These principles serve as a compass to navigate controversial issues like animal testing, hunting, and farming, which often generate heated debates in many Christian circles.<\/span><\/p><p><b id=\"docs-internal-guid-d13ca033-7fff-c37d-0222-07b56e265be8\" style=\"font-weight: normal;\">\u00a0<\/b><\/p><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">To illustrate, some Christians, in their pursuit of compassion and good stewardship, transition to vegetarian or vegan lifestyles. They view this dietary choice as an active expression of their faith, considering it a response to their deep concerns over the inhumane conditions prevalent in factory farming. They see vegetarianism or veganism as a practical way to reject practices that harm animals and cause unnecessary suffering, essentially embodying the Christian teaching of compassion and love towards all God&#8217;s creatures.<\/span><\/p><p><b style=\"font-weight: normal;\">\u00a0<\/b><\/p><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">Some Christians may view ethical hunting or farming practices as being congruent with responsible stewardship. They argue that these activities, when carried out responsibly and ethically with a focus on sustainability, respect for animal life, and avoidance of unnecessary harm, align with the Biblical notion of humans as caretakers of God&#8217;s creations.<\/span><\/p><p><b style=\"font-weight: normal;\">\u00a0<\/b><\/p><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">These differing perspectives spark a spirited discourse within Christianity on how followers can best honor their God-given mandate of stewardship. The discussions underline the Church&#8217;s commitment to constantly re-evaluating its teachings in light of contemporary societal changes and challenges. They broaden the understanding of love, mercy, and compassion, guiding Christians to apply these values, not just in their interactions with fellow humans, but in their relationship with the natural world and all living creatures. In essence, these engagements provide Christians with a platform to reflect and act upon the moral and ethical treatment of animals within the framework of their religious beliefs.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Relationship Between Christianity and Animals The Bible is rich with references that highlight man&#8217;s relationship with animals. God creates animals, both wild and domestic, and declares them &#8216;good&#8217; in Genesis 1:25. In Genesis 9:9-11, God seals a covenant not only with Noah and his descendants but also with \u201cevery living creature.\u201d The New Testament also [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":460,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-455","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/encounterpgh.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/455","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/encounterpgh.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/encounterpgh.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/encounterpgh.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/encounterpgh.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=455"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/encounterpgh.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/455\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":461,"href":"https:\/\/encounterpgh.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/455\/revisions\/461"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/encounterpgh.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/460"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/encounterpgh.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=455"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/encounterpgh.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=455"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/encounterpgh.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=455"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}