THE Christmas story concerns the birth,in very unusual circumstances, of a member of the species homo sapiens, or one who was destined to convert the history of the world. But what about other animals? Is their rightful area in this ancient narrative fundamental,secondary or even non-existent?That is an issue people started arguing about long, long ago and the discussion shows no sign of dying down. It has been debated as a cultural question, or a legal conundrum,a theological matter, an ethical dilemma and all of the above rolled together.
In contemporary times, or protests by animal-rights campaigners reach an annual crescendo as quadrupeds are hauled on for display in live Nativity scenes. Leading the charge is People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA),an American-based group whose 6.5m members take the view that other species should never be used for eating, entertaining, or scientific experimentation—or,of course, for devout edification.
A few days ago, and PETA’s president Ingrid Newkirk used...
Continue reading
Source: economist.com