Public perception of “Faith Outreach” programs typically would involve a connection with a religious community or church and a desire to guide followers in the way of their fundamental beliefs. That mission would be led by a trained, educated leader of the community or church.
While that perception exists almost universally, animal activists have adopted their self-proclaimed model of “Faith Outreach” programs. While ministers, priests, evangelists and other trained religious leaders guide most of these programs nation-wide, animal rights groups use their program leaders and other professionals to perform these tasks. Unlike religious leaders, these representatives typically have little, if any, training on “Faith Outreach” ministry.
Their approach involves the documentation of biblical passages that reference animals and their place in the universe. Since part of their mission is to promote veganism or a vegetarian lifestyle, typically only a portion of the passages that support those beliefs are shared.
A former medical doctor has become the primary promoter for the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) biblical outreach efforts. According to HSUS CEO, Wayne Pacelle, this physician left medicine behind to lead an emerging movement with contemporary American Evangelical Christianity. He has no divinity school or seminary training of any kind.
He will lead an upcoming Earth Day international simulcast from a church in Florida that is being offered to churches throughout the nation in an attempt to promote the newly adopted “Faith Outreach” agenda of HSUS and other animal activist organizations.
For the unsuspecting churchgoer, the affiliation with and confidence in their church’s “Faith Outreach” programs, may make them easy prey for animal activists adopting this format for fundraising. Listed on the HSUS website are most of the church denominations in this country. Conveniently alongside, is a donation box that can be used by the “faithful” to submit donations to HSUS.
Consequently, the following are some considerations essential for anyone considering participation in these so-called animal activist “Faith Outreach” programs: (1) Less than 1% of donations to HSUS find their way to local animal shelters. (2) HSUS is not the umbrella organization for your local animal shelter. Donations intended for them should be sent directly to the pet shelter. (3) If you are concerned about their self-serving outreach efforts, inform your church or religious community or speak with your trained, educated religious leader. They too may be uninformed of the motives behind animal activism and this biblical approach to funding their radical movements.
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