Christianity and animal rights

The relationship between Christianity and animal rights has been a complex one that's varied greatly depending on the historical context, with different Christian communities in different nations coming to very different conclusions. The matter is closely related to, but still distinct from and broader than, efforts by Christian vegetarians as well as Christian environmentalists. Majority viewpoints in many nations have held that animals must be treated humanely beyond mere inanimate objects, yet the details of how exactly to do so have remained under dispute.

Many Christian philosophers and socio-political figures have stated that individuals should follow the example of Jesus and treat animals in a way that expresses both compassion as well demonstrates the respectful stewardship of humanity over the environment. William Wilberforce, a co-founder of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, is an example. Large organizations in which a variety of different groups work together, such as the Humane Society of the United States, have undergone religious outreach using such arguments.

Nevertheless, general Christian attitudes held in the religious mainstream have been labeled as "amazingly callous towards animals" as well as "neglectful and dismissive". Many Christians have asserted that animals are to be seen mostly as a means to an end, akin to commercial products or non-living natural resources, which people utilize in order to serve humanity's desires. Ideology plays a major role in this debate, as individuals from a politically right-wing, conservative background holding to traditionalist, fundamentalist, and/or evangelical Christianity tend to view animals more as mere resources. In contrast, those with centrist views or sympathies tending towards the left (associated with progressive Christianity and secularism) have been more supportive of animal rights measures. However, these broad trends have numerous exceptions.

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