The Place of Humanity and the Treatment of Animals LO: To know what sets humans apart from animals and consider Christian attitudes to the treatment of animals. 10/06/2016

What is a Soul?

What is the soul? According to Christians, the soul is what makes us human. Christians believe that when God created the world, he made people in his own image Why is this an important idea for Christians?

Christian Beliefs According to the Bible, humans, unlike animals, were created in the image of God. They believe that they possess something of the nature (characteristics) of God.

Have a soulDoes not have a soul Christians believe that God gave a special kind of life to humans, which is what makes humans different from other animals. In the Bible this is called “the breath of life” (Genesis 2:7)

Christians believe that the soul is eternal. ‘Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.’ (Matt 10:28) This means that after physical death, the soul will live on.

Human Life is Special and Unique How does this Bible quote show that humans are special? God loved humanity so much that he was willing to allow his son to die in order to restore a relationship with humans. This relationship had been originally broken through disobedience.

Rights and Duties Unique amongst creation, humans have duties to love and worship God, and not to steal or murder. Humans also have the right to rule over animals. God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.“ (Genesis 1:28)

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. (Matt 10:28) Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) For great is your (God’s)love, reaching to the heavens. (Psalm 57:10) Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example to those who believe in him. (1 Timothy 1:16) You are forgiving and good O Lord. (Psalm 86:5) I will ascribe justice to my Maker. (Job 26:3) 1. Look at the quotes above and try to identify some characteristics of God that you might also find in humanity. 2. Explain what Christians mean when they say that they believe humans were created in the image of God.

April The Daily Paper The 12-year-old executioner Daily Mail Police arrest six in anti-terror raids Daily Telegraph College ignored warnings about killer Daily Telegraph British battle tank damaged by Iraq bomb Daily Telegraph Journalist’s parents plead: Is our kidnap son still alive? Daily Telegraph In pairs, draw the outline of a human head and within it describe the type of human portrayed through the newspaper headlines. What differences in characteristics are between this and the Bible task? Why do you think there are differences? What conclusions might you come to as a result of these?

Christian Teachings Christians believe that God gave a special kind of life to humans, which is what makes humans different from other animals. In the Bible this is called “the breath of life” (Genesis 2:7) Christian's believe that God gave humans the responsibility to rule over animals and control them. Humans have a responsibility to ensure that animals are cared for and kept in acceptable conditions and not abused or mistreated because of the sanctity of life argument which states that all life is sacred and belongs to God.

Christian Churches The Catholic Church The Catholic Church states that ‘medical and scientific experimentation on animals is morally acceptable practice if it remains within reasonable limits and contributes to caring for or saving human lives.’ However the Catholic Church also state that unnecessary suffering should not be inflicted on animals. The Church of England The Church of England has a similar viewpoint in recognising that humans have a responsibility to look after an animal’s welfare, but recognises the need for animal testing, but that suffering needs to be kept to a minimum. Are humans more important than animals? Could humans survive without animals? Could animals survive without humans?

The seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant, nor your ox, donkey, any of your animals, nor aliens within your gates, to allow your man/maidservant to rest. (Deut 5:13-15) The Lord made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. (Gen3:21) Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything. (Gen 9:1) Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness and let them rule over the fish of the sea an the birds of the air,…… over the creatures of the earth. (Gen 1:26) Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Luke 12:24 Read the Bible quotes and answer the following questions: 1.In the Bible, who does God give authority over animals? 2.How does God expect humans to treat animals? 3.In what way do these quotes suggest it is acceptable to use animals? 4.Can you give some modern examples of the way in which the Bible says animals can be used? Eg. Police dogs

Evaluation ‘Humans were given authority over all life so they can do what they like with it.’ (12) Discuss this statement. You should include different supported points of view and a personal viewpoint. You must refer to Christianity in your answer.

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. (Matt 10:28) Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) For great is your (God’s)love, reaching to the heavens. (Psalm 57:10) Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example to those who believe in him. (1 Timothy 1:16) You are forgiving and good O Lord. (Psalm 86:5) I will ascribe justice to my Maker. (Job 26:3)

The seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant, nor your ox, donkey, any of your animals, nor aliens within your gates, to allow your man/maidservant to rest. (Deut 5:13-15) The Lord made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. (Gen3:21) Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything. (Gen 9:1) Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness and let them rule over the fish of the sea an the birds of the air,…… over the creatures of the earth. (Gen 1:26) Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Luke 12:24 Read the Bible quotes and answer the following questions: 1.In the Bible, who does God give authority over animals? 2.How does God expect humans to treat animals? 3.In what way do these quotes suggest it is acceptable to use animals? 4.Can you give some modern examples of the way in which the Bible says animals can be used? Eg. Police dogs