Lamb-left Lamb-right

All-Creatures Blog

From all-creatures.org
ARCHIVE OF COMMENTS AND DISCUSSIONS
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Our subjects cover: animals, religion (Christian, Jewish and others); diet and lifestyle (vegan and vegetarian); and other miscellaneous subjects.

All-Creatures Blog
By Phil - 7 Jun 2013

Re: Challenging Church Compassion – 20: Kicked Out for Animal Beliefs

Hello Mike:

The church could indeed tell me that my “teachings/beliefs were not welcome.” That is why I keep quiet; I don’t want to step anywhere near the point at which somebody might make that declaration.

Being a fundamental/evangelical church, any mention of being “inclusive” of other beliefs or “open” to new understandings of Christ’s teachings instantly sends their theological blood pressure (and their cardiovascular blood pressure) through the high ceiling of the sanctuary. Any such mention conjures fears of theological “compromise,” in which “liberal” or “humanistic” beliefs enter the church and attack the true teachings of scripture.

If they permit somebody to say that animals are more than inanimate objects created for us to kill, then what other beliefs could be challenged next? The sufficiency of Christ for salvation, perhaps?

Somehow, fundamental/evangelical congregations must learn to “stand firm” on matters of essential belief, while permitting alternative views on issues not essential to salvation or obedience.

Best regards

Phil