Expert: George A. Card,sfo, M.I - 10/29/2005

Question
Hello George!

"Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth."

I wrote this passage from the Bible because i'd like to ask you about the animals and the way they are treated by people. I'm not thinking about pets that people have at home and sometimes, unfortunately, treat them very cruelly. My question is broader and applies to eating animals. I'm thinking about slaughterhouses and many other places where animals are kept and very often inhumanly treated by people. My question is, do we have the right, reflecting upon the above passage from the Bible, to do such things with animals because God gave us dominion over them. I know that we can eat animal meat and maybe there is nothing wrong with it, but the procedure of killing animals is performed on such a big scale that sometimes i can't imagine it myself. There are also many other companies which produce cosmetics or medicines, killing at the same time animals, to improve their products. I'm just wondering is it all right because, once again, we have dominion over these creatures? What's your attitude, the attitude of the church and the Bible? How do you think!?
thank you!

Answer
                          Peace
dear Luke
  I believe its ok to eat animal flesh. Christ ate fish and lamb a couple of times in the New Testament.
  The way animals are treat should be with the dignity that's proper to them. Abuse in slaughter houses or any where is wrong, and in some case could be serious sin.
  Your concern is over the way animals are slaughtered. In many cases, I agree there is a more proper way. Under the Mosiac Law of the Old Testament, the animals offered for sacrifice had to be killed and prepared in a set manner. It also state what can be eaten. The manner is offen called Kosher in English,basicly means:

Conforming to dietary laws; ritually pure. Some of meat sacrifices were eaten by the priest that offered it and his family. Some kosher laws examples:

Poultry and meat must be slaughtered under strict guidelines called “shechita.” This means the animals are slaughtered without pain. Only those who are trained and qualified are allowed to slaughter kosher animals. Once the animal is no longer alive, another team of experts will examine the animal to be sure the animal is without illness, abnormalities or anything else that can be considered unsanitary. The lungs in particular must be pure. In addition, all blood and most fat must be removed.

  Most Orthodox Jews still practice the Kosher laws. So if want to you practice it look for foods labled Kosher and some cases you might just find a "K" in a circle. Christians are not duty bound to the Kosher laws but if it will ease your conscience about the meats you eat, do it. Also remember its not a requirement of Christians.

                            your servant in Christ
                                   george(rav Jerome)
PS I had trouble getting on line, thats the reason for the delay in answering.