I belong to a forum that is all Christian topics, I'm rather new there and just do not see myself staying there as anytime I make a comment on something it seems the replies are rather negative. Maybe I was just expecting something more I don't know but the last attempt I made has me thinking I need to give up on it.

I made a post seeking prayers on a little kitten that I found while working the other night. This little guy was shivering, tiny, and all alone. Yet, he clung to me. He pulled on my heart strings enough to have me wondering if I could take him home and care for him. I decided I couldn't due to financial reasons and having a cat of my own at home whose health isn't that great right now. Luckily, someone else was at work later in the evening and decided to take the little guy home. I was content with this yet still worried.

I went on that forum and asked for prayers regarding the safety and wellbeing of the little kitten. I realize there are people out there the have more pressing needs for prayers than a little kitten but figured it was worth a shot. Figured more or less that if someone thought it wasn't worthy of a prayer then they'd pass it by. I got some responses to it that were positive and the one I got was completely negative.

The poster told me that kittens, puppies, any kind of animal really is no more than a chicken or a cow and that we eat them. I never personally ate a cat so I cannot really relate them to being of the same. The poster then went on to say that having a pet is a selfish endeavor for a Christian. And that, also as Christians, we should feel no moral obligation to care for them.

From what I get from his post is that we should, as Christians, ignore animals and only care for the humans that are suffering and need us.

However, from what I was able to find that even God took care of animals and talked about taking care of animals in the bible.

Examples:
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? (Matthew 6:26)

"He gives animals their food and feeds the young ravens when they call." Psalm (147:9)

“A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.”(Proverbs 12:10)

With also:
"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
For the rights of all who are destitute." (Proverbs 31:8)

I'm just curious on others opinions with this. I never imagined asking for a simple prayer would turn into such a negative response nor a debate.

Its quite ironic the christanity boards,here or anywhere else seem to be the most arguementative.

Fair play for taking steps to unsure the safety of a defenceless animal,there is enough cruelty in the world that is mans doing not Gods.

God is love,and all prayers are heard,at least that's what I believe.

Ill say a prayer for the kitten.

Animals are God's creatures too. We know that they can feel pain. There is nothing in Scripture or teaching of the Church that should lead anyone to think it wrong to pray for an animal's well being.

I can understand why some might not, but at the same time I can't understand someone saying that that it's wrong or worthless or silly or whatever... to pray for an animal.

I can only hope that person was expressing a single opinion and not trying to represent any particular group of Christians. They sure don't represent this group.

Last year when my dog got hit by a car, you can believe I prayed nonstop for his recovery all the way to the vet emergency room. He was hurt so badly we had to euthanize him, and to this day I still mourn him.

What you did for that kitten is a wonderful expression of God's love for all his creation, and you're reflecting his love a LOT more than that other person is ever likely to do. I'm sorry a Christian forum gave you such a bad experience. Hopefully you'll find this forum much more uplifting and representative of who God really is. I know I have.

Thank you for everyone's opinion on the matter. I wanted to more importantly make sure that my way of interpreting things was not incorrect. And that we should and more importantly do have a obligation to care for all of God's creatures big or small.

I was just blown away by the response on the other forum. But to my surprise it was the only one of it's kind so far, everyone else has been a lot more positive about the situation.

I can also understand why some people may not want to pray for an animal and may see more pressing issues to pray for and I can respect that. I just didn't understand how I was wrong for what I was asking nor for what I was trying to do.

I guess the point he was trying to make really makes no sense in the end. He says that pets like dogs and cats are no more better than cattle or chicken that we eat. But shouldn't we also care for them as well?

Either way, thank you again for your opinions and I think my time over at the other forum has basically ran it's course and I'll be staying here more.

Thanks.

I pray that God in His infinite wisdom and mercy will allow animals in heaven where we will at last have the opportunity to treat them as they should be treated. I'm planning to see all my cats again, especially my soulcat, Thomas Jefferson, the light of my life. I'll even be in charge of the litter-box cleaning.

For some thoughts and beliefs and truths about animals and humans, read books by Temple Grandin -- Thinking in Pictures, Animals in Translation, and others.

I know of several churches that will have a message on their marquee about bringing in prayer requests for animals.

You will always get different opinions on just about every topic.

You weren't wrong in what you were asking. Focus on the several positive responses and not the one negative.

Why not simply respond with the verses you have found and leave it at. Might give him something to think about.

Aren't there churches (Catholic?) that have services that are the blessing of the animals and people bring their pets?

Yes, help educate negative people.

I did leave a reply to his post stating just that in the Bible God has taken care of animals, has children taking care of animals, and calls to men to not be cruel to animals.

I didn't leave the Scriptures that I found at the time due to me not being sure if my way of interpreting them was correct or not. He hasn't responded since. Since others that have posted in a more positive light on the manner and those here that have done the same I am not longer as upset about the situation. But do welcome him coming back and commenting as I'd like to see where his side is coming from.

If he does I will be adding the Scriptures to my next reply to him.

I can't wait to find out how he responds!

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The poster then went on to say that having a pet is a selfish endeavor for a Christian.

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"The least of these" in the Bible refers to innocent beings, including animals.

I can't see how caring for a pet would be selfish endeavor. Would love to hear his justification for that opinion.

You are caring for an animal, that would not survive long on its own otherwise. Many people take in animals from shelters, often saving them from being put down.
People take jobs with the primary role of rescuing and protecting animals from horrible cruelty.

When they are cared for properly, it is probably one of the least shelfish acts a person could be involved in.

I'm not religious, but I am spiritual. I also have many animals in my home, all of whom I love. They deserve the best care I can provide.

I will say a prayer for your kitten. A few people will be surprised that I just said that, but yes, I will. :)

Aren't all creatures God's creation? If you believe in a Christian God, than you have to respect and care for all his creations, that includes the animals, the trees, the very earth we live on.

Like others have said, don't let that one negative comment get to you. What comes around goes around, and I'm sure that that poster will learn that his/her opinion is a path to failure, the wrong path, and that all creatures great and small deserve love, deserve to be cared for.

>>>>>>When they are cared for properly, it is probably one of the least shelfish acts a person could be involved in.


Ummm, that should be selfish... but I will pray for the shellfish too... ;)

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Originally Posted by DoulaLC

>>>>>>When they are cared for properly, it is probably one of the least shelfish acts a person could be involved in.


Ummm, that should be selfish...but I will pray for the shellfish too....;)

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Don't get me started on shellfish and the bible Doula. ;)

Remember, I went to Catholic school for 10 years. :D :p

Now I'm thinking about shellfish. I'm thinking about the shellfish in the Gulf of Mexico and the BP spill. Wiping out even one species affects the food chain and, in the end, humans. We are all connected. The Lion King has a song about that, "The Circle of Life."

I will relate to a few things,
1. don't expect not to get a lot of people who don't like your posts. Many will pick it apart, word for word, trying to twist everything you say, We have lots of them here, Christianity is one of the toughest and meanest boards around at times.
Many times because there is no "one" set of christian teachings but many depending on denomination, and then just many anti christians who come to cause trouble

2. I will not relate personally what animals I have or have not eaten, ( but more types than most people over my travels all around the world)

3. it is never wrong to pray for any of God's creation, animal, plant, or just part of the creation itself.

Reminds me of the story of Noah's Ark. Yep, all creatures are special. I do hope kitty pulls through.

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Originally Posted by KISS

Reminds me of the story of Noah's Ark. Yep, all creatures are special. I do hope kitty pulls through.

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Ditto. If you find out, do let us know how the little fellow is doing.

I have a disabled daughter who isn't able to do a whole lot, but right now her life is very fulfilled by volunteering at a no-kill cat shelter. I'm a hopeless carnivore, but I also have several pets and love them all. And even food animals should be treated with respect and not abused. I used to bird hunt a lot, but my wife didn't like most of what I brought home. One season, three ducks that I had bagged spoiled in the freezer and we had to throw them out. I felt so bad about killing them for no good reason I quit bird hunting altogether. If I'm not going to eat it, I won't kill it.

That goes for kittens too! ;) (Kidding! Honest!)

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Originally Posted by dwashbur

And even food animals should be treated with respect and not abused.

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Read Temple Grandin's books. She's a farm animal activist with a Ph.D. in animal science. That's her mantra, that food animals have a good life and quick, painless death.

There is nothing in the bible against pets as far as I know. And God gave us dominion over animals, so why then can't they be used as companions? Maybe Paul had a dog for when Silas wasn't around.

Anyway, I see nothing wrong with using animals for whatever reason, as far as they are treated with respect and avoided cruelty for their purpose.

I don't see anything in the bible that demands we are to care for animals either. Much like anything God gives us, we are to not waste or over use, but we don't have to partake either. I suppose that compassion spent animals is blessed. As quoted before, even God cares for the animals; and compassion in itself is blessed.

Good Luck