Religion and Animal Rights Revision

Animal rights Animals are often used for medical experiments in order to improve the lives of humans. Without animal testing many life saving drugs could not be used. Animals are part of the food chain but are often kept in poor conditions until slaughter. This has led 10% of the UK not eat meat (vegetarian) or even not use any animal products (vegan). Sometimes animals are used in blood sports. This is when animals are killed in the name of sport. Their deaths are often violent and painful. Many people in the UK hate the idea of blood sports and have called for a complete ban of fox hunting.

Companionship Food Medical testing Clothing Entertainment Cosmetic testing Sport Transport Work Use & Abuse of animals

Factory Farming Factory farming Make notes on the clip

Christianity and Animal Rights Attitude 1: Most Christians believe that animals do not have rights but humans should not be cruel to animals and that farmers should care for their animals humanely. 2 reasons: 1. God gave humans the right to control animals according to Genesis when he appointed them as stewards 2. God is the creator of animals as well as humans and the Bible says that humansshould respect God’s creation. Attitude 2:Some Christians believe that animals should have similar rights to humans 3 reasons: 1.God is the creator of animals as well as humans and the Bible says that humans should respect God’s creation 2. it is impossible to use animals for food or experiments without being cruel to them and this is wrong 3.The Bible says that God morns the loss of one of his creations

1.Buddhists believe that all life, in all forms, should be respected, and no suffering should be caused e.g. so no experimenting on animals, bull fighting etc 2.Buddha taught compassion (love and kindness) for all life. Harming animals is not showing compassion. 3.‘Do not harm others’ (First Precept) 4.Right Livelihood includes NOT having a job that exploits animals 5.There are Karmic consequences for all our actions. Karma affects our rebirth. 6.Most are vegetarian for these reasons. However, it doesn’t say you can’t eat meet but animals must be slaughtered humanely. Buddhism and Animal Rights

Animal Rights

Test yourself 1.Name 3 things that animal are used for 2.What are the 2 different Christian attitudes to animal rights? 3.What reasons are given? 4.What is the Muslim attitude to animal rights? 5.What are the 4 reasons given?

ANIMAL RIGHTS Give two ways animals and humans are different.(2) Give two reasons why people use animals in sport.(2) Name two ways in which humans misuse animals.(2) Name the first Buddhist precept and explain its meaning.(3) Explain briefly why some religious believers choose not to eat meat. (4) Explain Christian and Buddhist attitudes to making animals extinct. Use beliefs and teachings in your answer.(6) ‘Zoos should all be closed down, and the animals released.’(6) Do you agree? Give reasons and explain your answer, showing that you have thought about more than one point of view, including the two religious views you have studied. 8.‘We’ve learnt most of our medicine from animal research, so it must continue.’ (6) Do you agree? Give reasons and explain your answer, showing that you have thought about more than one point of view, including the two religious views you have studied. 9. ‘Eating meat is disrespectful to God’s creation.’(6) Do you agree? Give reasons and explain your answer, showing that you have thought about more than one point of view, including the two religious views you have studied.

Explain the religious attitudes to making animals extinct. Use beliefs and teachings in your answer. (6 marks) Christians believe that humans were given dominion over animals, which was to care and respect all living things. This is known as stewardship. God created the world and all creatures in it, which means all creation belongs to him and we are looking after it for him. In the Ten Commandments, it says ‘do not kill’, and so if you are killing animals and making them extinct, you are against what God’s rules. Buddhists believe your actions have consequences, which means you should respect all life, otherwise you will have bad karma and affect your rebirth. You could also affect the animals chances of improving their karma. In the Five Precepts, its says not to harm sentient beings, because they should practice ahimsa, which is non-violence towards all life. Both Christians and Buddhists believe that destroying habitats, is destroying creation and animals chances of survival.