Hummingbirds, Deuteronomy, Morality, and Getting a Grip

I like animals.

I think kittens and puppies are cute. I enjoy listening to birds chirping, cooing, squawking, and chattering in the back yard.

I'd say that I love animals, but that might give the wrong impression.

What got me started thinking about animals today was a hummingbird. Several of them, actually. I was at my desk earlier than usual this morning, and saw several of the little hummers flitting in for a morning drink.

Feeding Birds - and Charitable Giving

Feeding hummingbirds isn't very expensive - a few dollars for the feeder to get started; then about a quarter-cup of sugar each week for the nectar. There's the water I use, too - plus detergent to clean the feeder.

Arranging for a miniature air show by my window doesn't get in the way of this household's charitable giving. And I wouldn't let it. People come first, then hummingbirds.

At my particular judgment, I do not want the error of treating animals better than I do people to be on my record.

I couldn't plead ignorance, because I looked up what the Catholic Church says about animals. Not everything, of course. That would take - a very long time.

Animals and the Law

The idea that animals shouldn't be mistreated is nothing new:

• "² You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out grain."
  (Deuteronomy 25:4)

Quite a bit has happened since Deuteronomy was written. Agricultural technology has changed. A lot. For example, I'm pretty sure that there isn't an ox-driven grain mill in Stearns County: even though this is a very agricultural area.

But using different technology doesn't mean that we have to start over with working out what's moral, and what's not. And I wrote about that a day or so ago. (August 11, 2011)

Our technology changes. Moral principles don't. Morality, by the way, isn't just about "morality." (June 3, 2011)

People and Animals: Briefly

Here's a brief outline of what the Catechism of the Catholic Church has to say about animals, and how we should treat them:

• We can't 'do anything we want' with animals
  (2415-2418)
  
• Animals
  • Are under our dominion
    • Moral law applies to our actions
      • We must remember
        • Our neighbor
        • Generations to come
      (2415)
  • Are not people
    • Deal with human misery first
      (2418)
  • May be used for
    • Clothing
    • Food
    • Pets
    • Research
      (2417)
  • Belong to God
    • We owe them kindness
    • Remember how St. Francis of Assisi treated animals
      • And St. Philip Neri
      (2416)
• Human beings are
  • Animals
    • A special sort of animal
      • Endowed with reason
      • Capable of
        • Understanding
        • Discernment
      (1951)
  • People
    • Rational and therefore like God
      • Made in the image and likeness of God
        (1700)
    • Created with free will
    • Master over our actions
      (1730)

Thinking that animals aren't people, and that people should act like rational creatures, makes sense to me. I also think it's a good idea to treat animals humanely.

As for some of what's been said about animals over the last several decades? That's another topic.

Related posts:

• "Sex Selection, Newspeak, and Getting a Grip"
  (August 11, 2011)
  Particularly
  • 'Technology Outpacing Ethics?'
• "God, Genesis, the Catholic Church, and Getting a Grip"
  (June 22, 2011)
• "Archaeology Paleontology, Science, and Wishful Thinking"
  (October 12, 2010)
• "Death, Judgment, Heaven, Hell, and Warm Fuzzies"
  (August 8, 2010)
• "Animals: Yeah, the Catholic Church has Rules About Them, Too"
  (August 17, 2009)

In the news:

• "Spanish government course teaches sex can be practiced with 'girl, boy or animal'"
  CNA (Catholic News Agency) (February 3, 2010)
• "Academy of Medical Sciences to examine ethics of animal research with 'human material'"
  CNA (Catholic News Agency) (November 11, 2009)
• "Chimpanzee should be a legal person, animal rights activists say"
  CNA (Catholic News Agency) (May 23, 2008)