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Is it a
sin [and|or] immoral to test on animals both
for cosmetic and legal drugs?
This is a process called vivisection, if you
didn't already know. It involves painful
things such as being:
poisoned
burned
blinded
injured
mutilated
starved
force-fed
sent mad
irradiated
given cancer
infected with diseases
turned into drug addicts
and subjected to all kinds of painful procedures.
In most cases, all of these experiments are useless as the human body acts differently
than other animal's bodies.
Another question is about fur farming. Often
animals are skinned alive and brutally killed.
These animals are purpose-bred for this or
captured in the wild. They live short, horrible,
and disgusting lives.
I was just wondering if the people who
do these particular things will be forgiven
by God easily or if they will be punished?
Finally, I am a strong Catholic and always
practice my faith but the two most valuable
sentimental things that I own have gone missing,
I don't know why God would take them away
from me when there are plenty of people who
don't even believe in God whose things are
never missing.
I hope that I get a reply from you soon.
Thanks,
Dawn
{
Is it a sin to test on animals for cosmetic and legal drugs and will those who fur farm be punished? }
2415 The seventh commandment enjoins respect for the integrity of creation. Animals, like plants and inanimate beings, are by nature destined for the common good of past, present, and future humanity. (cf. Genesis 1:28-31) Use of the mineral, vegetable, and animal resources of the universe cannot be divorced from respect for moral imperatives. Man's dominion over inanimate and other living beings granted by the Creator is not absolute; it is limited by concern for the quality of life of his neighbor, including generations to come; it requires a religious respect for the integrity of creation. (cf. Encyclical Letter of Pope St. John Paul II, Centesimus Annus 37-38)
2416 Animals are God's creatures. He surrounds them with his providential care. By their mere existence they bless him and give him glory. (cf. Matthew 6:26; Daniel 3:23-25) Thus men owe them kindness. We should recall the gentleness with which saints like St. Francis of Assisi or St. Philip Neri treated animals.
2417 God entrusted animals to the stewardship of those whom he created in his own image. (cf. Genesis 2:19-20; Genesis 9:1-4) Hence it is legitimate to use animals for food and clothing. They may be domesticated to help man in his work and leisure. Medical and scientific experimentation on animals is a morally acceptable practice if it remains within reasonable limits and contributes to caring for or saving human lives.
2418 It is contrary to human dignity to cause animals to suffer or die needlessly. It is likewise unworthy to spend money on them that should as a priority go to the relief of human misery. One can love animals; one should not direct to them the affection due only to persons.
That is about the extent of what
we can definitively say on this topic,
except to note that men and animals
are not on the same order of creation.
To kill an animal is not as grave
a sin.
To intentionally kill an human being
is a grave sin.
As for your sentimental things: Your
grief at their loss comes through.
It is understandable to ask the question,
why?
I would not interpret this as
a sign that God is punishing you
for something you did. It's possible
that God, for your own good and because
He loves you, wants you to be free
of attachment to earthly things,
because we cannot enter Heaven attached
to inanimate objects or things of
this world. It's a good opportunity
to evaluate whether you love these
things more than God, making an idol
out of them. Perhaps when you love
God more than these things, God will
return them to you.
As Christians,
we must be willing to give up all
things for the sake of the Gospel.
