Should Christians Own Cats?

[Lightkeeper]

Are cats for true Christians?
Is it appropriate for a Christian to own a cat, in light of their past pagan religious affiliation and the medical information that is now coming to light? -J.R., U.S.A.
It would be misleading to answer this question with either a simple 'Yes' or a 'No.' The Scriptural answer of necessity must be a 'qualified' one, and it is easy to see why. Many conscientious ones among Jehovah's people today have wondered if Christians should own cats in view of their somewhat sordid symbolic history and the many health risks associated therewith. While we would not wish to state an opinion on what must remain a matter of personal preference, what is acceptable to one person may, although unintentionally, stumble another. This can become a life-or-death issue since to move the steps of a brother away from the path of Christ's ransom sacrifice is tantamount to 'putting a millstone around the neck and being thrown into the sea.' -Matt. 18:6. Clearly, in a matter where our eternal salvation is involved, the mature Christian will not pursue a purely selfish course based on his own personal choices, but will adopt a congregational viewpoint as scripturally prescribed.

First, let us consider what most scholars agree is the etymology (word derivation) for the English term 'cat'. When analyzed with the Latin 'felis cattus domesticus', the original Koine Greek is 'cur.io huma bes-tia', means 'a contemporary housecat with all of its beastly identifying characteristics and behavior.' A faithful servant of Jehovah would quickly notice that the nature of a cat is so marked as being 'beastly'. The Bible makes clear reference to this condition when describing parts of Satan's organizations, both past and present. For instance, consider the fearsome 'beasts' as described in the book of Daniel or the 'scarlet colored wild beast' in Rev. 17:3. The demons entered the swine when rebuked by Jesus showing the potential harm and malevolent spirit control to which a Christian may be potentially exposed. Lest we forget the story of Nebuchadnezzar and the condition of God's enemy when being humbled by Jehovah, the student of God's Holy word would ask - is it by accident that the Bible in the book of Daniel describes his experience as a 'beast' of the field? Hardly so!

Are cats for true christians?

I saw this article today. What are your thoughts?

[Rev. Kelly]

Originally Posted by Lightkeeper

Are cats for true christians?

I saw this article today. What are your thoughts?

Huh? What is up with even asking the question? A cat is a pet, and nothing more.

[Eolas Pellor]

The problem is, there are probably people who feel that way.

[Nick_A]

It raises the question if it is safer to periodically visit a cat house rather than own a cat.

[statrei]

The article talks about the demons entering the swine and Christians have no problem eating swine. Why bother the cat?

[RevKathyV]

All I have to say is Wowwwww!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[sendy47]

No...No...Kathy...now pay attention...it is not WOW...it is..

MEOW....ok...now lets do this together..ready...MEOOOWWWW....

[RevKathyV]

ok...Meowwwww!

[arthra]

You know what this means don't you...?

They'll have to recast Narnia now...

Poor Aslan doesn't have a chance...



Let's look and see what passages refer to lions (very big pussy cats)...

David played with lions! See:

As is the fat taken away from the peace offering, so was
David chosen out of the children of Israel.

3
He played with lions as with kids, and with bears as with
lambs.

(Deuterocanonical Apocrypha, Sirach)

If David played with lions can a Christian play with a pussy cat?

There's a passage in the Gospel of Thomas that reads:

Jesus said, "Blessed is the lion which becomes man when
consumed by man; and cursed is the man whom the lion consumes,
and the lion becomes man."

(Apocrypha, The Gospel of Thomas)

Jesus blesses the lion!

What about this:

And the lion, whom thou sawest rising up out of the wood, and
roaring, and speaking to the eagle, and rebuking her for herunrighteousness with all the words which thou hast heard;

(Deuterocanonical Apocrypha, Esdras 2 (Ezra 4))

How about this verse from the Book of Revelation:


5:5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

(King James Bible, Revelation)


The feline line is noble, blessed..


In the Baha'i Writings it says:


Roar like unto a lion and exhibit such ecstasy and love among these few souls that praise and glorification may continuously reach thee from the divine Kingdom and mighty confirmations may descend upon thee.

(Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 103)

and

Heroes are they, O my Lord, lead them to the field of battle. Guides are they, make them to speak out with arguments and proofs. Ministering servants are they, cause them to pass round the cup that brimmeth with the wine of certitude. O my God, make them to be songsters that carol in fair gardens, make them lions that couch in the thickets, whales that plunge in the vasty deep.

(Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 225)

- Art

[metis]

As a side, Torah really doesn't portray cats in much of a negative light, but it certainly does dogs. Referring to someone as a "dog" was considered to be quite an insult, and this may have been created because of the packs of wild dogs that often threatened people in ancient Israel and Judah. However, having dogs (or cats) as pets is not forbidden by halacha (Jewish Law), but a failure to create somewhat of a natural environment for them to live in is. For example, keeping a bird in a small cage is considered unnatural and cruel.