I’m disappointed you didn’t answer my question about animals.
I find it very interesting that you choose to ignore passages from the Bible that do not condone the inhumane treatment of animals. You still haven't answered my question. I suppose you will not answer it and continue to divert the subject to something it's not about. Unfortunately, I see I already know the answer. You do not have any mercy for anything other than yourself. As for the sacrifices in the Bible have you forgotten or left out when (I believe it was Isaiah) asked people to stop shedding these animal's blood on the altar? I apologize if I cannot quote specifically because I do not own a Bible at this time (but I have sent away for both the Old and New Testaments). I find it very strange that you've said a couple of times now that I'm completely against eating meat. Although I am a recent convert to vegetarianism I've never stated that to you. My number one concern is the humane treatment of innocent beings. I do not believe that it is okay to cause suffering in an animal. As a matter of fact, I know that it is not. I also don't believe that God or Jesus does either. The last thing I have to say to you is "shame on you!" I've been soul-searching and looking for a compassionate Christian faith to belong to. I feel you are the radical one, as you've accused me of being. I feel it's people like you, who feel they're better than the rest of us, that scare or keep others away from churches as your own.
Answer:
In regards to the care of animals, you must have overlooked this answer: Can we love and care for animals?
Since you began the conversation claiming I justified the killing of animals, and since the only articles on the website regarding the killing of animals were those that proved that animals could be used for food, I correctly concluded that you are a vegetarian and associated with PETA. You try to smudge the issue by redirecting the issue to an emotional one instead of sticking to facts: God permits the eating of meat for food. He also specifically forbids eating animals that died of natural causes. This leaves only animals which are killed by men for the purpose of consumption. The problem is that there is no killing of animals for food that you would deem humane in your own eyes. That is why I have refused to play your game.
You are referencing Isaiah 1:11, but it is being taken out of context. "Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom; give ear to the law of our God, you people of Gomorrah: to what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?" says the LORD. "I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed cattle. I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs or goats. When you come to appear before Me, who has required this from your hand, to trample My courts? Bring no more futile sacrifices; incense is an abomination to Me. The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies - I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting. Your New Moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; They are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood. Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rebuke the oppressor; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together," says the LORD, "though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword"; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken" (Isaiah 1:10-20).
God is not telling them to stop their sacrifices, Sabbath keeping, and assemblies. He is telling them to first purge the sin from their lives before approaching Him in worship. The pretense of worshiping God while simultaneously sinning was nauseating to God. David makes this clear. "For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart - these, O God, You will not despise. Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion; build the walls of Jerusalem. Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering; then they shall offer bulls on Your altar" (Psalm 51:16-19). The sacrifices were secondary to what God really wants from mankind.
But do note that you are arguing against what the Bible teaches. I have answered your question, but you don't like the answer, so you have dismissed it. Your disappointment is that the Bible isn't supportive of your personal agenda. Remember that when you appear before God's judgment seat.
"O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps" (Jeremiah 10:23).
"For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ" (Galatians 1:10).
