Care For The Environment

Have many children, so that your descendants will live all over the Earth and bring it under their control. I am putting you in charge of the fish, the birds and all the wild animals. Genesis 1:28

You appointed them rulers over everything you made; you place them over all creation. Psalm 8:6

Non-renewable resources: Earths natural resources that will eventually run out and it can't be re-used, like fossil fuels, coal, oil, gas and petrol.

The world and all that is in it belong to the Lord; the earth and all who live on it are his: Psalm 24:1

Stewardship: The idea of taking responsibility for the world and caring for it not only for today, but for future generations.

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, yet your Heavenly Father feeds them: Matt 6:24

Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful: 1 Corinthians 4:2

Churches feel that it is important for Christians to recognise they have a God given responsibility to look after the Earth.

All people should:

• Become personally informed
• Take personal action
• They can also joining in with others

Christians in particular should:

• Be aware of what the Bible teaches
• Pray
• Encourage Christians to stand together and make a difference in the community
• Think

1. To encourage all members of our congregation to understand that God calls us to care for the creation by making our communities and environments better places for the next generations.

2. We are stewards of creations, responsible for all that God has made, and so a concern for the environment and a just sharing of the world's resources are fundamental gospel commitments.

3. Those who are a friend of God should be a friend of his creation.

Animal Activists

These people are concerned with preventing cruelty to animals, such as

• Inappropriate care- Fish in bowls or small tanks, large dogs in small flats or birds in small cages- inappropriate environmnt.
• Not treating animals well- Insuffcient exercise, insufficient space, lack of veterinary care, cruelty, neglect and abandonment.
• Using animals for painful experiments

They also will live their lives in a way which shows respect for and to animals

• Not eating animal products
• Avoiding products tested on animals or made with leather or fur
• Avoiding zoos and circuses
• Lobbying the government for pro-animal legislation

Animal Extremists

They campaign against cruel treatment of animals and take direct action and even use violence. Eg,

• Staging protests at laboratiories or fur farms
• Releasing animals from captivity
• Physical assaults
• Sending threatening letters or making harassing telephone calls

If an Israelite's donkey or cow has fallen down, don't ignore it; help him get the animal to its feet again: Deut 22:4- Teaches that Christians have a responsibility to help animals when they are in need or suffering from cruelty.

Good people take care of their animals, but wicked people are cruel to theirs: Proverbs 12:10- People who are cruel to animals are commiting sin.

Wolves and sheep will live together in peace, and the leopards will lie down with young goats. Calves and lion cubs will feed together, and little children will take care of them: Isaiah 11:6-7- In Gods eyes people and animals are equal.

Aren't five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one sparrow is forgotten by God: Luke 12:6

Thomas Aquinas-Hierarchy exists in the universe, where humans are above animals and can therefore use animals as they want.

St Francis-All animals deserve protection, respect and even worship.

Pope John Paul II-Scientists must abandon laboratories and factories of death.

In Favour Of Animals Having Rights:

• Animals should be treated in the way that is best for the animals concerned- which may not be the way that suits human beings.
• It is wrong for human beings to use animals for food, clothing, experiment or anything else.
• Animals feel pain and express emotion like humans.

Against Animals Having Rights:

• Animals were put on Earth to serve human beings.
• Animals do not have souls.
• Animals do not behave and cannot think morally- they act on instinct.