Beastiolatry?
Is America guilty of animal worship? Decide for yourself.
An estimated 63 percent of American households have a pet, according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, with a record 44.8 million households owning dogs and 38.4 million owning cats in 2006; since many households own more than one feline, cats actually outnumber dogs in the United States by 88 million to 75 million. . . .
As the demographics of America have changed, so too has the nature of pet ownership. It used to be that most pets were bought by families. Now, the majority of pet owners, 61 percent, are childless—singles, unmarried couples waiting to have kids, gay couples, empty-nesters. Invariably, these owners tend to treat their pets like surrogate babies, and they spoil them accordingly. To help these childless pet-parents spend their disposable income, the pet products industry has mushroomed in the past decade. This year we’ll shell out more than $40 billion to keep our furry friends fed, adorned, amused and healthy—the latter a huge growth category, with more and more owners paying top dollar for elaborate medical treatments to forestall that inevitable last visit to the vet. By the end of the decade, we’ll be spending $50 billion on pet products, according to the APPMA. Walk the aisles of Petco or PetSmart, past the Hawaiian shirts and sunglasses for your dog and the $140 Catnip Chaise Lounge for your cat, and you’ll discover just how well-trained we Americans have become. . . .
Some 56 percent of dog owners and 42 percent of cat owners buy their pets Christmas presents. Pets can listen to their own Internet radio station (Elvis Presley’s “Hound Dog” is one of the more popular songs on DogCatRadio.com), post their pictures and make play dates on dogster.com and catster.com, and earn frequent flier miles on United.
. . .
63 percent of cat owners and 42 percent of dog owners sleep with their pets, according to the APPMA.
Why don’t people who want children adopt children instead of buying pets and treating them like children? I guess pets are just easier: they cost less (although the gap seems to be narrowing), they require less work, and you can get rid of them if things don’t work out.
What I would love to know is how the statistics from the believing community compare. Is the church just as guilty of this kind of ridiculous treatment of animals?
Read the whole story at MSNBC.
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Marilyn Brenden
Having my dog and caring for him is part of my stewardship as a Christian to care for the earth’s creaturs. He returns that love in abundance. In fact, his unconditional love has helped me understand more fully the forgiving quality that is part of the unconditional love of God for me. I don’t go crazy buying things for my dog, but he is a blessing that God has bestowed upon me and I am very thankful to have him. And yes, my dog is even sometimes part of my prayers to God. I don’t think this is strange or weird. I am single and my dog keeps me company. He also cheers me up on days when I feel low.
Jun 1st, 2007 1:12 pm
Phil Gons
Thanks for the comment, Marilyn. I certainly didn’t mean to imply that there is no place in the life of a Christian for pets. I’m glad the Lord has allowed you to have a dog and that he has been a blessing to you. I grew up with a dog and a cat and enjoyed them both very much.
Many Americans certainly go overboard in treating animals as people and in spending exorbitant amounts of resources on them. Millions of people don’t receive such luxuries. Cannot our money and energies be better spent? That’s the question I’m left asking.
So by all means, have a pet or two and use them for the glory of God. My concern is that the church not get sucked into this ungodly treatment of animals.
Jun 1st, 2007 1:34 pm