I write this at the beginning of the grouse season and with Fox Hunting barely out of the news and various other issues still bubbling, not least the transfer of animal diseases to humans, it seemed appropriate to include a book on the subject of animal welfare.... So for September, I present Animal Rights and Wrongs, A Biblical Perspective by Tony Sargent.
The author uses as a basis, the 'five freedoms' devised by the Farm Animal Welfare Council and aims to demonstrate that the Bible affirms these principles:-(abbreviated)
1. Freedom from thirst, hunger and malnutrition.
2. Freedom from discomfort.
3. Freedom from pain injury and disease.
4. Freedom to express normal behaviour.
5. Freedom from pain and distress
The Book is extremely in depth, thorough and informative. For example, it is estimated that the Bible contains over three thousand references to animals and animal life. In the Old Testament, only the book of Ruth has no reference to animals. Obviously, there are numerous Bible quotes and quotes included throughout.
The opening quote comes from Micah 6.v 8: "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God"
Sargent suggests, and later enlarges on, the thought that these disciplines spill over into the animal world, citing that Luther's claim that "the birds are our schoolmasters" is valid and echoes Jeremiah's observation (from Jeremiah 8 v 7). Further that in caring and respecting those for whom we share the world, we experience God's Blessings.
There is also a profound comparison when Sargent likens his extremely uncomfortable eight hour train journey on a supposedly first class train in India (very bumpy and with no drinking water available) to that of the plight of animals packed into compartments, for three times as many hours, and with no stops, food or water, being taken to the continent.
Another Bible quote, this time from Psalm 42. v1, David likening his thirst for God to an animals' thirst for water. That aside, the Biblical answer to whether animals should be subjected to distress and discomfort for the sake of profit is negative so the author looks to discover what the Bible has to impart over animal welfare.
We are reminded of how Rebekah was chosen as a wife for Isaac (Look it up - Genesis 24 v 12-21) and the fact that Proverbs respectfully acknowledges creation and animals.
Other chapters include "God's Pets", "Jesus and the Animals", "Veg or Non Veg Sir?", "Animal Pain", "Rights and Duties" and "Use or Abuse". A full list of notes appear at the back together with a useful Bible Index.
It would have been helpful (to me) to have a bit of background too on writer Humphry Primatt who is quoted extensively throughout the book. He wrote a dissertation on the "Duty of Mercy and the Sin of Cruelty to Brute Animals (1992).
A very comprehensive and gripping read, recommended definitely to all animal lovers and a challenge to any who may feel that animals are not important from a Christian perspective.
Animal Rights and Wrongs, A Biblical Perspective by Tony Sargent (Hodder and Stoughton). £8.99.
written by Lynn Winter
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