Okay, we've concluded that God doesn't care about animal suffering. What about you?
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Whether you believe humans have a duty to care for animals or not, the fact remains that we are the dominant species on earth at this time.
We do not have the unlimited power to prevent animal suffering that an Almighty God would have.
But we are not powerless.
We can do something.
We must do something, otherwise any claim that we care about animals is baseless, and empty.
Only humans have both the ability and the desire to care for the wonderful animal life that shares this planet with us.
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We are the only species on earth with the intelligence and the resources to protect animals from suffering.
Realistically, we cannot help them all.
The harshness of the natural world with its diseases and parasites, and the cruelty of some people, makes protecting all animals impossible.
But that is no excuse to do nothing.
Imagine the kind of world we would be living in if the police or emergency services had such an attitude.
"We can't save everybody. There'll always be crime and disasters. Let's give up."
Every life matters.
Every animal has the need to live without cruelty, without being left to starve and die slowly, or of painful diseases.
We can prevent cruelty, treat their illnesses, feed and care for them.
What you can do
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I am not going to promote any of my favourite charities here, or list the ones I have personally helped and supported, as it would not be useful to do so.
If you are moved to support the many good people who are caring for, campaigning for, and rescuing animals in your local area or internationally, a quick google search will allow you to find a group and act.
You can support these selfless and hardworking individuals without even leaving your home, or doing any work if you wish.
Adoption is arguably the best way to help out, as there will always be animals that need a warm home, food and medical care.
Supporting animal rights groups, or organisations that promote humane treatment of animals, is another way we could one day save defenseless creatures from ever having to be locked away in small cages or otherwise mistreated.
There will always be an animal charity in need of donations or items such as food, perhaps even visit one to ask what they are in need of.
Especially in the case of a local charity, volunteers are desperately needed, often there is a handful of people paying the medical bills and spending time and fuel travelling up and down the country, rescuing and caring for creatures who wouldn't be safe, or even alive without them.
I know of one locally that spends all week, every week, rescuing dogs from pounds and taking them into their homes, for example.
Stray dogs are often killed at the pound, unwanted by anyone.
Even if you are somewhat cynical or unsure about large national animal charities, you may feel they do fine work but might not need a few pound a month, a visit or phone call to a local group will soon show you how many smaller groups out there really do need you.
If you can't volunteer to help lighten their load, any support could make the difference between saving an animal or having to turn them away.
In the case of some charities, if donations and volunteers are scarce, euthanasia is sometimes the only remaining option.
If you are unable to do any of these things, or don't want to for some reason, I beg you to please take the best possible care of your own animals.
Whatever your religious beliefs, it is a fact that animals only get life, one chance to experience the joy of living.
They deserve to be free of pain and suffering. Giving them a long and happy life is the best way to show that we care.
Conclusion
Whatever way that each of us chooses to show our concern for animal welfare, we are contributing to making another living breathing creature happier and more content; more than it ever could have been if it were left to starve or be killed, in the harsh and dangerous natural world that some attribute to a loving Designer.
"People who accuse us of putting in too much violence, [should see] what we leave on the cutting-room floor."-- David Attenborough, speaking about his nature documentaries
"Wild animals almost never die of old age: starvation, disease, or predators catch up with them long before they get senile... Most animals die in childhood, many never get beyond the egg stage." Richard Dawkins
If the God of the Bible exists, and he knows when a single sparrow falls, then I wonder what he does to ignore the constant death and suffering of all creation at any given point?
If you have any interest in wild animals and what they go through, please see here: https://foundational-research.org/the-importance-of-wild-animal-suffering/
We have established that God, if he exists, does not care for animals as the Watchtower wrongly claims.
The Christian God of the Bible, who supposedly sees the death of every sparrow, does not care about animal lives in any way whatsoever.
(*)Extinction of entire species. There is not even a Bible-based hope of resurrection for animals, according to the Watchtower.
(*)Countless deaths at the claws and teeth of carnivorous predators, both throughout modern history and also before Adam was there for anyone to blame it on his sin. www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/animals-vegetarian.php
(*) The endless pain and suffering in nature through disease and starvation.
(*) The Flood account stating the God of the Bible murdered every living breathing animal on the earth (outside the ark)...Genesis 6:17, 7:21-23
The Watchtower teaches that God cares for animals.
"The righteous person’s concern for his animals finds precedent in God’s own care for them as part of his creation.—Compare Ex 20:10; De 25:4; 22:4, 6, 7; 11:15; Ps 104:14, 27; Jon 4:11"http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200002994
1: to do the things that are needed to help and protect (a person or animal): look after
2 to feel affection for "
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/care%20for
Natural history, the present natural world, and even the Biblical record show us that the Watchtower's claim is false.
With God clearly out of the picture, with regard to anyone caring for the earth's animals, two questions arise:Who is going to take responsibility to care for the so-called lesser creatures?
Who should take responsibility?
(*)Humans can care about animals.We have an inbuilt natural empathy for other living beings, something not often present in animals.
Animals do not always know instinctively how to help themselves.
(*)Humans SHOULD take care of animals. In my opinion, humans can only claim to be a 'superior' species to the animals, if each of us is willing to in any way possible alleviate the suffering of lesser creatures.
Admittedly we all have people that we need to care for and our time and money are finite resources, but we can each do something with regard to animal welfare, no matter how small.
Helping people and helping animals are never mutually exclusive.
Most of us would claim that we care for other living beings regardless of their shape, size or skin colour.
Therefore, if we are to be consistent with our moral values, we must help both people and animals as much as possible.
Most animals cannot express any positive feelings that they may have towards us.
Outside of the mammal species, it seems likely that they do not have any feeling toward us.
They cannot speak our language.Does that make them any less deserving of our protection and care?
"Animals have no voice. They can't ask for help. They can't ask for freedom. They can't ask for protection. Humanity must be their voice."Anthony Douglas Williams
We may say that we like animals.We may even say that we love animals.But what are we going to do to prove that we care about them?
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If we see an opportunity to prevent animal suffering, we must take action.
Can animals thank you for helping them?
It doesn't matter.
Do they experience life in the same way you do?
It doesn't matter.
They are alive.
They need your help.
That is all that matters.
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