Stephen Kaufman, M.D., Christian Vegetarian Association (CVA)
What Might a Distinction Christian Faith Look Like? part 3: Love and Animal Protectionism
Last essay, I discussed how scapegoating can bind communities, but there
is much in the Christian tradition that rejects the scapegoating process.
Indeed, Jesus recognized that, initially, his ministry would break communal
bonds, and he said, “Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth?
No, I tell you, but rather division; for henceforth in one house there will
be five divided, three against two and two against three” (Luke 12:51-53).
In the scapegoating process, it would be four against one, but when there is
three against two there is no unification of the larger community at the
expense of one or a few individuals. Without scapegoating, will communities
break apart?
In my book Guided by the Faith of Christ, I discuss how the need for
self-esteem underlies the scapegoating process. I think Jesus showed us
another path toward self-esteem, which is to regard ourselves as beloved
creations of God, the source of life. If God loves us, we don’t need to be
better than anyone else. We are only called to do what we can to honor and
serve God. Loving God means showing love for God’s creation, and this has
several implications.
First, it encourages forgiveness, which was a central theme of Jesus’
ministry. While we must be wary of those who have been harmful in the past,
harboring resentment absolves us of the degree to which we are responsible
for conflicts, facilitates scapegoating, and undermines community-building.
Second, love and the unjust, violent* scapegoating process are incompatible.
Third, love does not have arbitrary boundaries. Though we don’t have the
same emotional love for everyone and we don’t express love the same way with
everyone, our call to love should manifest as assistance and care as well as
avoidance of harm whenever possible. Therefore, harming nonhumans
unnecessarily is the antithesis of love and is a fundamental rejection of
Jesus’ ministry.
Next essay, I will consider a common question: Is animal abuse a
manifestation of scapegoating, or does it simply reflect humans exerting the
ethic “might makes right”?
Go on to: Are Animals Scapegoat Victims?
Return to:
Reflection on the Lectionary, Table of Contents