Sharing the good news about animal liberation should be an essential part of the Christian life, but it can sometimes be difficult to start these important conversations in our communities.We sat down with dear friend and LAMBS supporter, Dr. Sarah Bridges, to learn more about how to navigate this vital outreach for animals.
LAMBS: Please tell us a bit about yourself. What made you passionate about animal liberation?
Dr. Bridges: I grew up in the country in Northern California. My dog and horse companions were a daily constant in my life. I couldn’t imagine life without them. When I was eight, I became a vegetarian, as it was incongruous to me to eat animals when I felt so close to them. As I became an adult, my perspective evolved to be more expansive. I began to understand how the livestock industry hurt more than animals themselves, but had a corrosive effect on so many aspects of human life, from climate change to water overuse to deforestation. As a Christian, I felt called to fight for animals as Jesus teaches that mercy and compassion should shape how we live, extending even to the smallest or most vulnerable (Matthew 25:40). Extending kindness to animals can be viewed as an outworking of the same loving heart that Christians are called to cultivate.
How does your work in consulting impact your work for animals?
I consult with humans in organizations and, through that, have learned about the principles of influence and shifting perspectives. I apply these ideas when I talk with people about animal welfare.
Why do you feel faith-based animal activism is important?
To me, caring for animals is a practical expression of love of neighbor
Modern animal agriculture is linked to environmental damage and human suffering (deforestation, pollution, and hunger caused by grain used for livestock feed). Choosing a plant-based diet can therefore be understood as a way of loving one’s human neighbor as well, by reducing harm to the poor and to future generations. Taken together, these points suggest that as a Christian, I see kindness to animals and even adopting vegetarianism not as peripheral, but as a coherent expression of faith, stewardship, compassion, and anticipation of God’s kingdom.
How can we communicate the responsibility of Christians to be kind stewards of creation to our faith communities?
My goal is to talk with people about what values they hold most dear and then to tie animal welfare to that. For instance, if the primary concern is environmental, I discuss how damaging forests, polluting rivers, and driving species to extinction contradict stewardship. For those most concerned about world hunger and the environment, I discuss the way our food system deprives the poor of food, harms workers, and worsens climate change (which disproportionately hurts the vulnerable). Where living peacefully is the primary aim, I might talk about how a faith rooted in compassion should resist cycles of violence and exploitation—whether toward people or animals.
Initiating discussions about animal liberation in our faith communities can be intimidating. What should we remember to ensure we have fruitful conversations with those around us?
I know what doesn’t work and that is taking a judgmental or preachy tone with people that don’t understand the issues. Instead, I like to start by being curious about the issues that matter most to the person with whom I am speaking. I do this because the treatment of animals is intricately tied to the wellness of people and the planet. If we start with common ground (even if that is not animals themselves) we can open doors.
Some people can be very difficult to share this news with, no matter how respectful we are. What’s the best way to handle a discussion with a particularly resistant person?
I approach conversations from the standpoint of understanding and connection instead of proving right or wrong or good or bad. I am not here to force a resistant person to change, but to provoke questions and cognitive dissonance that will leave the person reflecting. I believe a shift in animal views is a process instead of a factual argument.
How can people be encouraged to keep working for animal liberation after a difficult encounter with someone, or any other discouraging experience?
I believe we need to always focus on taking care of ourselves as we tackle hard and entrenched issues. We should ensure supportive people are nearby, track progress, however small, and remember that the impact we have is not always obvious right away.
Dr. Bridges, your insight is so helpful! Is there anything else you would like to share about your work and activism?
When I reflect on the rights battles of less powerful parts of society, I think of animal liberation and its shared roots of oppression with so many other groups. Throughout history, dominant groups have justified mistreatment of others (women, racial/ethnic minorities, the poor) by claiming they are less intelligent, less rational, less moral, or closer to animals. Those same arguments are now used to justify animal exploitation: “they don’t think like us,” “they’re here for our use,” “they don’t feel suffering the same way.” Christians might frame it as following the Great Commandment: love your neighbor as yourself (Luke 10:27). Who counts as “neighbor” has continually widened and encompassed most sentient beings. I believe this is the path we are on, and we all need to play the part we can. Scripture shows God repeatedly siding with the vulnerable and marginalized. Jesus broke social barriers with women, lepers, Samaritans, and the poor.
I’d leave everyone with what philosopher Peter Singer calls this “expanding the circle.” Human history shows gradual widening: first to one’s tribe, then nation, then to women, enslaved peoples, minorities—and now to animals.
Meet Dr. Bridges’ companions!
Rocky Bear:
Pepper:
Brewster:
