Christians and Animals

Stewardship and Animals

Christian Beliefs

• In Genesis humans were created in the image of God
• Adam is special because God breathed life into him
• Many Christians believe humans have a soul but animals do not
• In Genesis God gave humans free choice in how to treat the world
• "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God"
• St Francis of Assisi believed that animals have souls
• God made people to look after the animals and plants
• God put people in charge of his planet
• He gave them the responsibility to name the animals and to have dominion- authority and control over creation but not domination
• There is clear distinction between animals and humans
• God gave human beings rules that they could understand - The Ten Commandments
• In one of the creation stories animals were created before humans whereas in the other humans were created before animals
• We should show stewardship towards the animals and the rest of creation
• Everything in God's creation whether human or animal should be treated equally
• God loved humanity so much he was willing to allow his only son to die in order to restore a relationship with…