OK…the cat has been officially let out of the bad. Unfortunately, it was not our doing. PETA has picked-up the news release that CBG will have an elephant (Judy) on the property this Easter Weekend.
Judy will highlight part of the topic Pastor David will be discussing in the big room–Denial. More specifically, “denying the elephant in the room” when it comes to your relationships. In a very real sense, the teaching time will start as you drive on the campus.
Judy will be on the front lawn as people drive on the property. She will not be doing tricks or giving people rides. She will simply be hanging out with us. Around the area where so will be hanging out will be signs that read things like, “I don’t see any elephant!”, “What elephant?”, “No elefante aqui!”.
With all the hub bub, Pastor David is working hard at ensuring the fact that people will leave CBG with Jesus on their mind and not the elephant. Pray for the staff and Pastor David as he uses an elephant to communicate the life-changing message of Jesus Christ!
For more information about the situation, read CBG’s response to PETA located on the CBG website.
Tags: Church by the Glades, PETA
March 21, 2008 at 1:06 pm |
Hello,
As a man of the Jewish faith I won’t pretend to know much about Easter, but what I do know is that the teachings of Jesus are based on love, respect, and caring for all G-d’s creatures. I don’t believe that forcing an animal- especially one as intelligent, sentient, and beautiful as an elephant- to perform (which nearly always involves abuse on a horrific scale) for people’s pleasure or to prove a pint falls under that umbrella of love, respect, and care. If I were a member of this church I would be very upset, and question the pastor’s decision.
Jesus loved and respected all creatures, no?
March 21, 2008 at 3:04 pm |
Hi Jason!
You are completely entitled to your opinions. Although I agree that we are to love and care for God’s creatures, I don’t agree with the way organizations, like PETA, have put animals on the same level as humans. I have a heart for animals, especially since they can do little to defend themselves in most cases. I think every Christian/person should be that sensitive.
However, in Genesis 1&2, humans are the apex of God’s creation, not animals. In addition, God was the first to kill an animal for a specific purpose (to clothe Adam and Eve after their sin in Genesis 3). In addition, the Jewish sacrifical system required blood to be shed to cover the sins of the people. All this to say that using “God is not happy with this” angle may be misleading at best.
Again, I will continue to protect animals from needless pain and suffering, and I hope everyone will do the same. But having a domesticated elephant hanging out on the church property is far from painful.
March 22, 2008 at 10:56 am |
i suppose one would first have to define the word “perform” and then perhaps even dare to define the word “stunt”.
Maybe my standards are too low, but in my book, relaxing in a field, being fed and drinking fresh water doesn’t qualify as much of a performance or even a stunt for that matter.
March 25, 2008 at 8:07 pm |
I was there easter weekend and saw judy the elephant, from what ive seen, it could barely be called performing. I would say just appering, the entire service was focused around that elephant and it could not have gone any better.
She was very well cared for and she was not retricted except for a PLASTIC fence.
January 10, 2009 at 2:43 am |
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