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Children are people of course and animals too, should be loved and cherished more than animals, but animals deserve our love. I am sorry to offend anyone but unless you believe in god that part of the question is irrelevant. God used as a general term for the almighty power of nature I think is fitting for this question, but nature does not think.
People might be reluctant to show emotion to another person because they become vulnerable sometimes when they do, once someone has taken advantage experience teaches caution, and just as in other things lack of practice robs us of skill.
There are so many different kinds of love. The love for an animal is nothing like the love for a human and I am sure that it is approved. And yes, I am sure that we can have more love for a pet than we have for a neighbor. I have neighbors that I would have gladly called the police to. But I don't think I would ever call the dog catcher.
I can't imagine a god that thinks it's OK to ignore pets or to treat them badly because they are "just dumb animals."
When we elevate animals to a be treated like people we do God and the animals an injustice.
Jesus told us to do for the "least of them" is the same as doing for me,
Matt.25:40 And the king will answer them, ‘I tell you the truth, just as you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of mine, you did it for me.
Pets are important... but they are possesions, and we can elevate our possesions above their place. Again... God does want us to be good stewards of all his creation, and nothing wrong with loving pets. I have a dog, 2 cats, ...had horses, fish, parrots, turtles....it was a petting zoo at my house when the kids were growing up... but the lowest crack head inflicted with AIDS is still more important to God then all the animals.
I think we should love all of God’s creations; however I think we are to give more importance and love to mankind. I would never purposely be cruel to any animal, even ones I’m afraid of.
But I think the bible clearly gives more importance to mankind, because of two reasons.
1. God allowed animals to be sacrificed to Him. He never allowed any person to be sacrificed to Him (with the exception of the Lord Jesus of course)
2. Jesus said the greatest commandment was to Love God with all our hearts. The second was to love thy neighbor (He never mentioned anything about Love thy animal).
So I think the bible clearly gives more ‘importance’ to loving mankind. But if we are to respect God, it just naturally follows that we should respect ALL things he created which would include animals.
Many people are closer/spend more time with their pets than their neighbours and for some, even their family members. With a pet you see and take care of them everyday, while you may only occasionally interact with a neighbour (or not at all) or a family member.
How can one love "their neighbor" if they don't trust them, or are cautious of them, don't want to get close? I don't love humanity; I am distrustful of them, but I'd never hurt them. Only God can help me with this - and He will in due time.
If I had a dog, I'd love her way more than most people. My dog wouldn't hurt me or have ulterior(sp?) motives. She'd love me for ME, and I'd adore her and probably give my life for her.
However, if He is there, I am certain that he is displeased with the "I'd save my dog over a baby if they were both lying on the railroad tracks" types of people. It is perverse.
When we elevate animals to a be treated like people we do God and the animals an injustice.
Jesus told us to do for the "least of them" is the same as doing for me,
Matt.25:40 And the king will answer them, ‘I tell you the truth, just as you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of mine, you did it for me.
Pets are important... but they are possesions, and we can elevate our possesions above their place. Again... God does want us to be good stewards of all his creation, and nothing wrong with loving pets. I have a dog, 2 cats, ...had horses, fish, parrots, turtles....it was a petting zoo at my house when the kids were growing up... but the lowest crack head inflicted with AIDS is still more important to God then all the animals.
I don't think of my dogs merely as "possessions" or "property" (even if the law treats them as such). They are every bit a part of our family and I would be devastated if any harm came to them. A dog is pure love, even after one has been extremely abused, they will still seek to love us. That is what unconditional love is. No human can touch that.
Is God Pleased With People Loving Their Pets More Than Their Fellow Man?
God is pleased with people loving all life (agape love), period! Why this focus on "more than?" Only in "human love" is there even such a thing. With God love is love.
I have bonded with animals and felt overwhelming grief at their deaths. But in truth, the sorrow is for me. My companions have moved on. I hope to meet them again one day, in one form or another, and know them for who they were.
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Is God Pleased With People Loving Their Pets More Than Their Fellow Man?
