It was very encouraging to welcome so many people from others faiths and none to the Creature Conference.
In today’s society, a growing number of people from outside the church are deeply concerned with animals. For these thousands of individuals, a church unconcerned about animals is a church which fails to apply the love it proclaims.
The Creature Conference was a wonderful opportunity to show that times are changing and ever more Christians are realising the importance of animal concerns. For the conference attendees who would not call themselves followers of Christ, this event has proven to be an important milestone in re-shaping their perception of Christianity.
Kerry-Jayne, an omnist (respecter of all faiths) from West London, was deeply impressed with seeing Christians speaking up for animals:
I was really impressed with Creature Conference! I have previously been disappointed with how many religions exclude nature and animals from being a prime moral concern but this conference has proven to be a major step forward in challenging the status quo. Christ himself turned over the tables of the money lenders in an act of moral defiance. The Christians I met at this conference are similarly shaking things up within the church and wider society regarding animals. They are social reformers … pioneers … visionaries … Christianity at its best!”
For John, an agnostic from Greater London, the conference left a positive and lasting impression :
I have never been one to call myself a Christian; however I wholeheartedly support Sarx for creating a truly inspirational and motivating conference. Taking the lessons of Christianity of compassion, care, love and respect they have forged a crucible where intellect and empathy are shared and displayed without hesitation for the protection and welfare of animals.”
Dr Joyce D’Silva, public speaker, author and former chief executive of Compassion in World Farming was impressed with the conference and optimistic about the Christian voice in bringing about positive change for animals:
Sarx is doing a great job in challenging that out-of-date instrumental view of animals and showing that true Christianity necessitates deep concern and compassion for animals as well as humans. If every Christian embraced the Sarx ideals, then a great swell of public opinion could be generated which could challenge the status quo, help achieve change and lay the basis for a more compassionate world.”
Christians don’t need to gauge a difficult balance between spending their time either on mission or animal concerns. Rather demonstrating care and concern for animals and so working to fulfil God’s will on earth, as it is heaven, it one of most positive and powerful ways of testifying to those outside the church. In witnessing to a different way of living, one that is generous, abundant and focused on the wellbeing of all God’s creatures, we example a life that will doubtless be attractive and compelling to Christians and non-Christians alike.
