Why Love One and Eat the Other?
While in Denver, Colorado, in mid-October, I saw a billboard that said, “Why love one and eat the other?” You could see the sign at the Mercy for Animals website but it appears the page is not longer available (9/17/2020). It shows a picture of a dog and a pig. It is an ingenious marketing ploy. But as usual, it is yet another example of how animal rights protest industry advocates miss the point. But they do so for a reason. They know that most people think with their hearts and not their minds. Which in simpler terms, means that people are frequently inconsistent. Thus the charge, why love one and eat the other? is a compelling question because it feeds off people’s inconsistency.
They want to argue that a dog is morally equivalent to a pig. In one sense they are correct. A pig is of no lesser moral value than a dog. The only reason why American’s don’t eat dog is because of a cultural bias. This is why I contend that the point of the sign for Christians is to understand that eating a dog is equivalent to eating a pig. God says we are free to eat both. If you condemn eating dogs, then perhaps the reason for your opinion stems from a cultural bigotry that you haven’t repented of.
Of course, I am not referring to eating a dog that is owned by someone else. That would be theft. But there is no moral problem (as far as God is concerned) to raise a dog and then eat him. If you think there is a problem with that, then you should take up your problem with Jesus who had declared all foods clean (Mk 7:19). Remember, what we eat is determined by culture. Christ wants us to avoid cultural bigotry when it comes to diet. So for the Christian, the why love one and eat the other? only applies in terms of personal preference. We have the moral freedom to eat a dog (though it may not be legal in your area) and a pig. Whether you do so or not is a not primarily a moral question (though it could be in some circumstances) but a choice of preference.
Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, ACE, is the owner of Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. He helps people restore their balance with nature through publishing, training, consulting, and the internet. He has published numerous articles in trade and academic publications available at {Stephen’s Academia.edu Page} along with several books {WCC Store}). Listen to his podcast “Living the Wild Life” at {Pest Geek Podcast}. Please subscribe to {Stephen’s YouTube Channel} He is a sought after speaker and trainer. If you would like to have Stephen speak at your event or use his consultation services, send an e-mail to wildlifecontrolconsultant@gmail.com. Copyright All postings are the property of Stephen M. Vantassel and Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. Text (not images) may be reprinted in non-profit publications provided that the author and website URL is included. If images wish to be used, explicit and written permission must be obtained from Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC.