Gospel Prism

Before I begin, let me write this disclaimer: I believe God has given human beings the responsibility to be stewards over His creation (Genesis 1-2). Therefore, the intentional abuse of animals for the soul purpose of bloodthirsty enjoyment is a neglect of that responsibility and therefore, wrong.

With that said, I am amazed by the uproar over Atlanta Falcons QB Mike Vick’s crime of dogfighting. Maybe I am the only one who feels this way, but there seems to be a strange juxtaposition of outrage over this crime. Anne Killion of the San Jose Mercury News describes Vick’s crime this way:

Vick’s crime - one that he lied about for the past several months to his fans, to his boss Arthur Blank and to the NFL commissioner - is one of the most disturbing we’ve ever seen. Vick’s high profile has shed a light on a dirty underbelly of America. The public can understand crimes of substance - addiction or cheating - in its athletes. But it can’t understand getting enjoyment or financial gain from watching two animals, the kind many of us view as beloved companions and family members, rip each other apart.

Jay Mariotti of the Chicago Sun-Times wrote a piece entitled, “A Disgrace to Mankind.” In it he declares: “Why would we want to think of Vick as a father, heaven help us, when these horrifying images of abused dogs are paralyzed in our minds? The images are what make forgiveness impossible…Now, he is a disgrace to mankind.”

These are very strong words. There should be no forgiveness? For some reason, this act by Mr. Vick is far worse than the athletes who drive drunk, threatening lives. It’s worse than the girlfriend/wifebeaters. It’s worse than Kobe Bryant who was accused of rape (I know he was never convicted of the crime, but how can anyone really know what the story was). The point is, dogfighting seems to be a crime far worse than the abuses that human beings face. When an athlete, like Ray Lewis is involved in a murder, there are no articles written that say he should never be forgiven. People do not call him a disgrace to humanity.

Perhaps the real story is that in today’s culture, animals are no longer animals, but fellow ‘human beings.’ Animals are ‘people too.’ In SF where I live, pet owners have become ‘pet guardians.’ Dr. Eliot Katz, president of In Defense of Animals, says: “The term ‘guardian’ denotes a positive relationship and mutually beneficial bond between two living beings, where constant care, attention, and affection are necessary for a thriving relationship.” As animals gain greater rights, human life and dignity are slowly evaporating in light of the pro-choice movement regarding abortion, the minimizing of crimes and punishment against others especially in the world of professional athletics (see the Cincinnati Bengals roster), the neglect of the poor around the world.

Animals have a place in this world and must be accorded the rights all of God’s creation deserves. To wantonly destroy anything God has created is an affront to God Himself as the Creator. As Paul tells Timothy, “Everything created by God is good.” So Mr. Vick is absolutely wrong in killing animals for fun and should be punished. But to give this crime the weight of a crime against humanity which many seem to be pontificating is to worship the created things rather than the Creator (Rom. 1:22-23). Let’s call Mr. Vick’s crime a crime. But may we be more outraged over the killing of human beings in Sudan, or the degradation of the poor in Africa, or the selling of kids in the sex trade in Southeast Asia, than the killing of dogs in the America. But when there is yoga for dogs, Marilyn Monroe dog dresses, and dog pearls, I wonder if there will ever be such outrage for human beings.