Darvish Intelligence: The Disturbing Reality of Pets Adopted and Eaten: A Call for Christian Stewardship and Compassion

Thursday, September 12, 2024

The Disturbing Reality of Pets Adopted and Eaten: A Call for Christian Stewardship and Compassion

The Disturbing Reality of Pets Adopted and Eaten: A Call for Christian Stewardship and Compassion

As a Christian conservative Iranian-American, I have grown to value life through the teachings of Christ and the respect for God's creation. Throughout my life, I have come to recognize the intrinsic value that God places on all creatures, including our pets—dogs, cats, and other animals. However, recent trends and incidents of people adopting pets for food, rather than companionship, deeply disturb me, and they should concern anyone who values compassion and stewardship of God's creatures. It is both a moral and ethical issue that we, as Christians and responsible citizens, must address.

A Growing Problem

While it may seem unimaginable to many of us, there have been numerous documented incidents worldwide where pets—animals that were meant to be loved and cared for—were adopted, only to be eaten. This horrifying practice is not limited to one culture or country but spans across various ethnicities, including cases involving Tongan, Korean, Chinese, Haitian, and other communities.

In Tonga, for instance, the practice of eating dogs has been prevalent for centuries. In 2002, the Tongan government temporarily lifted a ban on dog meat consumption due to food shortages . The consumption of dogs is rooted in cultural traditions, yet the concept of adopting dogs as pets and then turning them into food violates the trust and bond that humans establish with animals when they adopt them.

In South Korea, dog meat has long been a part of the cuisine, although consumption has decreased in recent years due to growing opposition. What is particularly troubling is when pet adoption turns into a pathway to slaughter. In 2018, there was a case in which a South Korean woman adopted dogs from shelters under the pretense of giving them a home, only for the animals to end up being butchered for food . This betrayal of trust reflects a deep-seated disregard for the sanctity of life, which is entirely contrary to Christian values.

Similar cases have occurred in China, where animal welfare activists have rescued numerous dogs that were adopted only to be sold to slaughterhouses for meat consumption . In China, despite emerging opposition to the dog meat trade, millions of dogs continue to be consumed annually, often taken from shelters or adopted under false pretenses.

In Haiti, there have also been reports of dogs being consumed, especially during times of economic hardship. In Haitian culture, the consumption of animals that would otherwise be considered pets in Western cultures is not uncommon. However, it becomes particularly egregious when these animals are first adopted under the false premise of giving them a home .

The Moral Implications

As Christians, we are called to be good stewards of the Earth and all of God's creatures. Genesis 1:26 tells us, “Then God said, 'Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.'” Ruling over God’s creatures doesn’t mean exploiting or harming them for our selfish desires—it means nurturing, protecting, and respecting the role these animals play in God’s creation.

When people adopt animals as pets, they make a covenant of care, similar to the covenants we honor in our relationships with others. Betraying this covenant by eating these animals undermines the principles of stewardship and compassion, violating the trust inherent in the human-animal bond.

The Cultural and Ethical Challenge

While it is essential to recognize cultural differences, it is also important to challenge practices that are inherently cruel and violate the ethical responsibilities we have toward animals. In cultures where dog and cat meat consumption is common, we must advocate for change—encouraging humane treatment of animals and educating others about the moral wrongs of adopting pets only to use them for food. These practices are not only inhumane but run counter to the values of kindness, compassion, and stewardship that form the core of Christian ethics.

A Christian Call to Action

In light of these disturbing incidents, I call upon fellow Christians and all people of conscience to speak out against the adoption of pets for consumption. The Bible calls us to be loving caretakers, not exploiters. Proverbs 12:10 says, “The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.” It is our duty as Christians to promote love, mercy, and stewardship, not cruelty and exploitation.

We need stricter laws to protect animals from such abuse, but we also need a cultural shift in attitudes. As someone who values the teachings of Christ, I believe we must lead by example, showing compassion toward all living creatures. Churches and Christian communities can be at the forefront of these efforts by supporting animal welfare, promoting responsible pet ownership, and speaking against practices that harm animals.

Conclusion

These incidents of pet adoption for the purpose of consumption are a heartbreaking betrayal of trust and love that animals offer us. As a Christian conservative, I believe that we are all called to stand up for those who cannot speak for themselves, including the animals that God has entrusted to our care. By promoting compassion and responsible stewardship, we can help end this practice and ensure that all creatures, great and small, are treated with the dignity they deserve.

We must advocate for stronger animal protection laws and push for a global movement that respects and values the lives of animals. As Christians, it is our moral duty to do so. Let us work together to ensure that pets, our faithful companions, are no longer betrayed in this horrific way.

Citations: