Our Strategies

Some animal organizations focus on welfare, which means making animals more comfortable yet still allowing exploitation. The Bible certainly makes this stance appear acceptable with the numerous kosher laws (Leviticus 11:1–47) and regulations on exploiting animals (Deuteronomy 22:10), to name but a few. However, these are ethics on how to operate within a fallen world and are not idyllic. Matthew 19:1–12 sees Jesus answering questions from the Pharisees about divorce. Jesus states in Matthew 19:8, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.” Jesus indicates divorce was a means to operate in a fallen world. The ideal, however, would be that divorce never existed (Genesis 2:24). The same principle applies to the exploitation of animals, which only entered the world after sin (Genesis 3:21). Additionally, meat was only allowed after God called humanity “evil” (Genesis 6:5 and 8:21).

Just like Christians do not advocate for divorce, our ministry advocates and promotes living by God’s ideal that is seen in Eden, when he ordered humans to take care of the animals and eat only plants (Genesis 1:26­–29). We, as an organization, of course, want animals to be treated better while being exploited, but we instead choose to focus on abolishing grievous forms of animal exploitation. The ideal of nonviolent harmony with animals is seen again when Jesus returns and ushers in the eternal New Earth (Isaiah 11:6–9, 65:25; Hosea 2:18), which is synonymous with heaven. The New Earth is essentially a restored Eden. Isaiah 11:6–9 indicates that on the New Earth, humans will no longer harm animals. The Christian Animal Rights Association puts into action Jesus’ prayer in Matthew 6:10, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Here and now, we seek to match the heavenly description of no longer exploiting animals that is seen on the New Earth. We utilize several strategies to accomplish this mission and vision. Our strategies include pursuing legal personhood for animals, teaching and advocating New Earth Abolition (NEA), and educating Christians on merciful living.