Does God Care How We Tend To Our Animals?
In this brief conversational excerpt, Speaker A raises the question of whether God cares about the way pigs (and by extension other animals) are treated, coining the term “pigness” to emphasize the unique, intelligent, and social nature of pigs. Speaker A argues that honoring the pig is not equivalent to worshipping it, but rather reflects a broader ethical principle: respecting the least of creation establishes a moral framework that enables respect for the greatest. He references the Gospel parable of the lost sheep, noting that if God would seek a lost sheep on the Sabbath, humans—being more valuable—should be cared for even more. Speaker B affirms this line of reasoning, suggesting that if God cares about pigs, He cares even more about humans. The dialogue concludes with the claim that a society that respects the distinctiveness of all living things—from pigs to tomatoes, peppers, and maple trees—builds a foundation for honoring people. Key points include: - The theological question of divine concern for animal welfare. - Use of biblical parable (lost sheep) to justify moral responsibility toward animals. - Distinction between honoring an animal and worshipping it. - The ethical principle that respect for the smallest creatures underpins respect for larger ones, including humans. - Expansion of the argument to all forms of life, suggesting a holistic respect for creation.
