ANIMAL CRUELTY, PART 2

Many readers of this Blog did not fully understand the first Blog post on Animal Cruelty. They were unclear as to whether the Blog was suggesting that all meat should follow Jewish Kosher preparation practices, or some modified version of Kosher, such as the Halal practices of Islamic culture. The Old Testament does not contain a detailed Kosher regimen. It states only that the blood should be drained from the meat or fowl through a neat cut in the neck, prior to preparation and consumption. As stated in the prior Blog post, killing the animal or fowl in a humane manner and draining the lifeblood prior to preparation and consumption prevents the meat from being contaminated with the spirit of suffering (see Leviticus 19:26).

While it is true that not every command in the Old Testament is meant for Gentile believers, the command to avoid meats of strangled animals, blood, and foods sacrificed to idols is specifically repeated in the New Testament as a command intended for Gentiles (Acts 15:22-35). Thus, the manner in which some animals are killed by strangulation, and the methods of killing that allow the blood of the suffering animal to permeate the meat clearly is to be avoided.

You can know if an animal was killed in a humane and biblical manner by making the sign of the cross over the meat prior to purchase or consumption. If you sense a spiritual reaction to the cross, this generally means that the meat is contaminated spiritually. If you are unable to locate a supermarket which sells meat that satisfies the biblical prerequisites, or if you are dining out, you can physically or in your mind make the sign of the cross over the meat until it no longer reacts to the cross.

The strict Jewish Kosher regimen for meat preparation includes having the slaughter supervised and blessed by a Rabbi. Clearly, God does not expect non-Jews to eat only Kosher meat. More importantly, while some cultures might require that the animal be killed in the same humane manner similar to Kosher standards, the meat may be sacrificed to idols which also would make it unfit for consumption by someone who worships the Creator God (Acts 15:29).

​The spirit of idolatry that infiltrates meat sacrificed to idols cannot affect someone who has the protection of the indwelling Holy Spirit, however, openly consuming such meats can cause others with a weak faith to become confused (1 Corinthians 8; 10:19-33). The spirit of suffering that enters an animal that is killed in an inhumane manner has the same capacity to draw suffering into and affect and influence the human spirit when that meat is consumed. Avoid such meats, but when all else fails, you can specifically pray over the meat or the meal and bless it as noted above.