‘Jesus People for Animals’ Is PETA’s New (Christian) Mission
Program Will Redefine ‘Dominion Over Animals’ and Help Christians Convert to Vegan Food and Clothing, Churches Advocate for Animals, and More
For Immediate Release:
December 15, 2014
Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382
Just in time for Christmas, PETA—the world’s largest animal rights organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters—has just launched Jesus People for Animals, a program to help the world’s 1 billion Christians explore how their belief in God can (and should) inform the everyday choices they make that affect animals—including which vegan dishes will go over well at the church picnic.
Many Christians agree with PETA’s motto that “animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on, use for entertainment, or abuse in any other way” because many Christians believe that animals aren’t ours—they’re God’s. PETA’s new program expands on this belief on its website (JesusPeopleForAnimals.com) and social-media presence (Facebook.com/JesusPeopleForAnimals and @JesusforAnimals), where kind Christians can connect with one another and find a variety of educational resources, including scripture that supports the overarching message of compassion and service to animals; answers to common Christian questions about animal rights (such as the clarification that “dominion” over animals means stewardship of animals); tips for getting active for animals at home, at church, and around town; free vegan starter kits; and dozens of delicious, healthy, picnic- and potluck-ready recipes.
“Christians are guided by the Bible’s message of kindness, compassion, justice, and mercy, and PETA’s new program is a resource to help guide Christians in practicing what is preached when it comes to protecting animals,” says Sarah Withrow King, PETA’s director of Christian outreach and engagement. “The Church fought for the abolition of slavery, women’s suffrage, the rights of children, and more, and we hope to enable Christians to look back one day and feel proud to have been leaders in animal protection, too.”
Jesus People for Animals will also send churches across the country educational materials that incorporate animal care, work with them to adopt animal-friendly programs and policies, and provide them with guest speakers and teachers on animal rights issues.
For more information, please visit JesusPeopleForAnimals.com.
