Why Animal Rights?

Lexico Dictionary defines animal rights as “Rights believed to belong to animals to live free from use in medical research, hunting, and other services to humans.”

The Christian Animal Rights Association seeks to advocate for animals, as the above definition matches the biblical ideal seen in the garden of Eden. In this paradise (Genesis 2:8), God said that Adam and Eve have dominion over the animals (1:26–28). Shortly after, God prescribed a vegan diet for humans and animals (1:29–30). This vegan world, where humans and animals peacefully coexisted, is clearly the ideal, as seen with God calling it “very good” in Genesis 1:31. Thus, animals were never intended to be exploited, harmed, or killed. On the contrary, in Genesis 2:19–20, God wanted Adam to name the animals, which indicates Adam was to be friends with them, much like how humanity treats companion animals today. When Adam and Eve sinned (Genesis 3:6), this brought all sorts of horrible consequences into the world, such as suffering (Genesis 3:16) and death (3:19) for all sentient beings (Romans 8:19–23), as well as animal exploitation (Genesis 3:21).

We look forward to a bright future, as the Bible prophesies that when Jesus returns, there will be a New Earth (synonymous with heaven) in which humans and animals will live in peaceful harmony, without harm or death, for all eternity (Isaiah 11:6–9, 65:25, Hosea 2:18). The New Earth (Isaiah 65:17; Revelation 21:1) will be a restoration of what God originally and ideally intended in Eden (Genesis 1:20–31). Jesus instructed his disciples to pray that God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:9–10). We seek to put the Lord’s Prayer into action by seeking the justice God has planned for animals in eternity. Through grassroots advocacy and eventual legal action, the Christian Animal Rights Association strives to be part of God’s gradual plan for a New Earth, where humans will no longer harm or exploit animals (Isaiah 11:6–9, 65:25, Hosea 2:18).