frequently asked questions
These are some common sense questions about not one sparrow and animal welfare and advocacy issues which you might have:
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Animal welfare unfortunately doesn’t receive much attention in Christian teaching or ministry, and many Christians wonder if the Bible has anything to say about the subject at all. But there are many scriptural references to animal wellbeing and suffering, and as a whole the Bible is clear that God cares very much for every animal which he has lovingly made, and he expects us to care for them as stewards of his creation. As Christians, we are part of a new creation in Christ and are called to work towards a time when evil and suffering will not affect any creature (see our motivation for more).
Many Christians worry that diverting time and resources from evangelism, discipleship and other ministry and humanitarian needs will compromise the Church’s calling and focus. While the Christian community’s first priority is to respond to human needs, spiritual and otherwise, the first responsibility which God gave humanity was to care for his creation and creatures. We can’t simply set this responsibility to the side, especially when it is in our own selfish interests to do so. Our response to the gospel must in some way involve caring for animals, which are often terribly vulnerable and suffering exactly because of human neglect, abuse and misuse (see motivation and causes for more).
As not one sparrow's founder, I (Ben DeVries) grew up in the evangelical community and recently completed my capstone project on a Christian foundation for animal welfare at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (see my personal page). I definitely want to help my heritage get more involved in animal welfare issues, which evangelicals have mostly shied away from (though this wasn't always the case). At the same time, we have many brothers and sisters in Christ in other traditions, or who may not be comfortable with the label “evangelical” for different reasons. I want very much to include all Christians who hold to an orthodox faith in the not one sparrow community, but please know that when it comes to dialogue and interaction our doors are open to everyone, Christian or otherwise.
There has actually been quite a bit of debate as to whether animals feel pain and suffer, or whether we're just projecting human characteristics onto them. But the Bible assumes that animals do suffer, and it often grieves the tragedies which affect them as a result of human sin (see motivation). Many animals have highly developed nervous systems, and they react to pain, or even the threat of the pain, in ways we would expect them to given their nervous systems and cognitive abilities (see e.g. this post). It takes a lot of manipulative, and honestly shoddy, reasoning to suggest otherwise. And remember that those who preach the loudest against animals' ability to feel pain and suffer, are generally those who stand to profit the most from both.
The animal rights movement has become maybe the loudest voice in animal advocacy over the past 30-40 years. Their ideology can blur the differences and relationship between human and animals, often compromising both from a Christian perspective. And some leading spokespersons and groups such as Peter Singer and PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) are often remembered for their eccentric philosophies and tactics more than the good they've accomplished for animals. As an effort, not one sparrow wants to interact with and learn from the animal rights movement wherever it can, especially from Christians who represent a more biblically faithful animal rights perspective such as Andrew Linzey and Matthew Halteman. But we're generally more at home in the animal welfare cause, and we're above all accountable to pursuing God’s perspective on animals and the relationship he wants us to have with them.
Some animal advocates and groups concentrate mostly on companion animals (pets), especially dogs and cats, and their efforts are incredibly heartfelt, tireless and much needed. not one sparrow is very much concerned about the wellbeing and suffering of companion animals, but we’re very concerned about the welfare of other animals just the same (see causes). All animal life is valuable to God, and all animal suffering is just that, and should be a concern to all of us. Some animals are hidden from society while they're used for human purposes, often with no consideration for their dignity and some of their most basic needs (see this post). But we're all the more obligated to care about their suffering when it comes by our own hands.
not one sparrow is an animal advocacy effort, first and foremost, and not focused on vegetarianism. But we believe there are some legitimate connections which should be made between being concerned for animals and considering our consumption habits. For instance, if animals are raised for food in a way which doesn't honor them or their Creator, which most certainly isn't the case when it comes to the industrial farm industry, then as a matter of conscience we should look for more humane alternatives, possibly even vegetarian ones (see consumption). A good rule of thumb to keep in mind is that if we can’t bear to see or think about how our animal products are produced, then we should ask ourselves whether we can sincerely say “grace” over those meals. But please don’t feel like you have to have this issue resolved while you get to know the animal welfare issue on the whole.
The environmental movement is a vital and necessary one, but it has generally been concerned for animals mostly in terms of species conservation and ecosystem preservation, even among Christian environmentalists. The wellbeing of individual animals usually isn’t focused upon, although there is growing awareness of the massive effects of industrial farming on the environment. Of course, we all can’t devote our time and energy to the same needs, nor should we - that’s why we’re the body of Christ. But as our name suggests, not one sparrow believes that the Christian call to care for creation means that as a community we can't just be concerned about species groups, but we need to work towards caring about each and every creature which has been individually crafted and loved by God (see conservation).
Please feel free to contact us if any other questions come to mind. I very much hope not one sparrow will be a help to you in terms of understanding animal advocacy from a Christian perspective, and maybe even point to some ways you can get involved yourself. Our causes section has information and resources related to a number of practical issues and concerns, and the same goes for our blog which also has some more lighthearted material. Please see our connect page if we can help in any other way, or if you want to get more involved with not one sparrow specifically. We’d be tremendously grateful for the support.
mission - fledgling - personals - thanks
