Expert: Stephen Vantassel - 1/29/2010

Question
PETA (People for Ethical Treatment for Animals) –U.S. Based
1.   What are your missions?
2.   What do you mean by animal rights?
3.   What is the difference between ‘animal rights’ and ‘animal welfare
4.   What rights should animals have?
5.   Where do you draw the line?
6.   It’s almost impossible to avoid using all animal products; if you’re still causing animal suffering without realizing it, what's the point?
7.   Most animals used for food, fur, or experiments are bred for that purpose, so what's wrong with using them?
8.   If animal exploitation were wrong, wouldn't it be illegal?
9.   Have you ever been to a slaughterhouse or vivisection laboratory?
10.   What is your message for the people who practice animal killings?

Thank u for answering my question

Answer
I think a quick google using my name, Stephen Vantassel, will provide you with articles that answer several of these questions. YOu can also try http://www.stephenvantassel.org
I have not been to a slaughterhouse or a vivisection lab. However, I have killed enough animals to know what it is like.

My book Dominion over Wildlife? An Environmental-Theology of Human-Wildlife Relations (Wipf and Stock, 2009) and articles clearly explain my position. A quick answer is found in Genesis 1-2, Psalm 8 and of course the life and teachings of Jesus Christ as recorded in the New Testament.