LETTER: People, animals not equal before God

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by Douglas Strout

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The letter by Kanika Bahl and Mona Rashad ( Thresher, April 7) claims that "since no sweeping distinction can be made between animals and humans aside from species, animals should receive an equal amount of consideration. This statement is false.

A very important sweeping distinction can and must be made.

Humans are not just another species because we are spiritual beings and have the capacity to form relationships with God.

When Jesus went to the cross to die, it was for the eternal salvation of human beings and human beings alone.

All humans are equal before God, and we are each equally loved.

People have needs, both material and spiritual, that take precedence over the needs of animals. "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" (Matthew 6:26 NIV).

Douglas Strout

Graduate Student

Department of Chemistry

This item appeared in the Opinion section of the April 21, 1995 issue.

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