Is it okay to wear animal skin or furs?

Answer:

Before sending Adam and Eve out of the garden because of their sin, God made them proper clothing to replace their inadequate clothing made from fig leaves. "Also for Adam and his wife the LORD God made tunics of skin, and clothed them" (Genesis 3:21). Since it was God who initiated the practice, it remains appropriate.

In discussing how to contain a plague, there is mention that the garments must be considered, no matter what material they were made from. "Also, if a garment has a leprous plague in it, whether it is a woolen garment or a linen garment, whether it is in the warp or woof of linen or wool, whether in leather or in anything made of leather, and if the plague is greenish or reddish in the garment or in the leather, whether in the warp or in the woof, or in anything made of leather, it is a leprous plague and shall be shown to the priest" (Leviticus 13:47-49). This shows that the Israelites used leather (animal skins) for clothing.

The prophet Elijah was mentioned wearing a leather belt. "So they answered him, "A hairy man wearing a leather belt around his waist." And he said, "It is Elijah the Tishbite"" (II Kings 1:8). John the Baptist also wore a leather belt. "And John himself was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey" (Matthew 3:4). In examples of faith it is mentioned, "They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented" (Hebrews 11:37).

Animal skin was also used to make containers for liquids. "So Abraham rose early in the morning, and took bread and a skin of water; and putting it on her shoulder, he gave it and the boy to Hagar, and sent her away. Then she departed and wandered in the Wilderness of Beersheba" (Genesis 21:14). "And Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine, and a young goat, and sent them by his son David to Saul" (I Samuel 16:20).

It should also be noted that the tabernacle was covered in part by animal skins. This was constructed as God had commanded the Israelites. "The remnant that remains of the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that remains, shall hang over the back of the tabernacle. And a cubit on one side and a cubit on the other side, of what remains of the length of the curtains of the tent, shall hang over the sides of the tabernacle, on this side and on that side, to cover it. You shall also make a covering of ram skins dyed red for the tent, and a covering of badger skins above that" (Exodus 26:12-14).

Because of its usage by both God and man, it must be concluded that there is nothing wrong with wearing animal skins or furs, nor is there anything wrong with creating leather products, such as seat covers.