QUESTIONS FROM READERS

"Is it appropriate for a Christian to own a cat in light of their past pagan religions affiliation and the new medical information that is now coming to light?"

Many conscientious ones among Jehovah's people today have wondered if Christians should own cats in view of their sorted past and many health risks. What may be acceptable to one person may, although unintentionally, stumble another. This can become a life-or-death issue since to stumble a brother that Christ died for is tantamount to "putting a millstone around the neck and being thrown into the sea." Clearly our eternal salvation is involved.

First let us consider what most scholars agree is the original Koine Greek for the English word "cat". Felos Domesticus meaning literally "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 "beastly". The bible makes clear reference to this condition when describing parts of Satan's organizations past and present. For instance the fearsome "beasts" as described in Daniel or the "scarlet colored wild beast" in Revelation. The demons entered the swine when rebuked by Jesus showing the potential harm and demon control that a Christian may potentially expose themselves and others too. Lest we forget the condition of God's enemy when being humbled by Jehovah, Nebuchadnessor. Is it by accident that the Bible describes his experience as a "beast" of the field? Hardly!

Clearly the Bible by using this kind of Original Greek shows beyond a doubt that the basic nature of cats is evil or "beastlike". This is condition is reflected in the "Original Serpent", the "Great Dragon" Satan the devil!

There are numerous reasons why a loyal dedicated servant of God should use their Bible-trained conscience to arrive at a proper understanding of why cats are not for Christians.

Consider the following facts.

1. It was a common practice in ancient Egypt to worship or idolize cats as "gods". As Christians we are to "guard ourselves from idols" and "worship no other gods". Such feline influence could lead to idolatry and thereby "grieve Jehovah's Spirit" with tragic consequences. May we never take for granted Jehovah's wise council!
2. The Bible does not say that cats were not present at Herod's birthday party when John the Baptizer was beheaded. History shows that cats were most likely present at this tragic party that Jehovah did not approve of. Clearly then, as loyal Christians, why would we even want to associate with animals that are without a doubt of such bad influence, remembering that "bad associations spoil useful habits"? To invite cats in our house is to toy with disaster. Can one deny that the chance exists that the same grave consequences could visit your home that fell upon John the Baptiser? Clearly, God disapproved of this "birthday" party. Should we not then disapprove of cats the way God does? Surely!
3. Throughout history, particularly in the middle ages and reaching its climax in the Salem Which trials of the 1600's, cats were recognized as carriers if not direct incarnates of demons. Since cats were associated with the devil, could we as faithful and dedicated servants of God therefore associate ourselves with a "living symbol" of satanic incarnation? How would this reflect on Gods name and his earthly organization? Would we want to be associated with a symbol of Satan, the "god of this system of things"?
4. Nowhere in the Bible are any type of cats spoken of in favorable terms. In fact was it not lions of the first century who the Devil used to devour faithful Christians? Jehovah Himself "Stopped up the mouths of the lions" in Daniel's day. True, the small housecats of today are not lions, but being of the same cursed animal family used by Gods enemies on numerous occasions throughout history, would it be wise or appropriate to own one? In addition, by owing any type of cat (feline), would we not give an appearance of condoning their evil deeds throughout recorded Bible and secular history? The Bible makes clear that God's people are "no part of this world" and that we are "not to share in the sins of others."
5. The scriptures clearly indicate that neither Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, faithful Job, the Apostles or Jesus himself owned a cat. Should we simply assume that this is a mere coincidence? Surely not! This was most likely because they didn't want to be like the Pagan contemporaries of their day who showed no regard for how God feels about owning a cat. In harmony with the pattern set by the faithful prophets and peoples of old, surely it would not be fitting for a Christian today to own a cat.
6. Finally, cats are unclean animals. Recently the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced that "Cats…can shed Salmonella in their feces, which can spread the bacterial infection to humans…" Salmonella (salmonella typhimurium) creates a condition of "week-long diarrhea…abdominal cramps… and in some instances, hospitalization." Would we be showing the proper respect to our life, Creator and to our "neighbor" by exposing ourselves and others to this potentially deadly disease?

Additionally, cats practice many unclean habits not fitting a Christian: Coughing up furballs, licking inappropriate body areas, urination on the floor, eating dead animals often with their blood, sexual misconduct without the benefit of marriage, abuse of catnip an intoxicating herb, and stealing food from the table, just to name a few. What sort of example does this give our young ones endeavoring to serve Jehovah? The Bible clearly shows that "neither fornicators….nor thieves will…inherit the Kingdom." In addition, the Apostle Paul admonishes us to "quit mixing in company" with such unclean ones. Although Paul was speaking primarily about Christians who fell into sin, there is no reason to conclude that this Inspired Biblical principle can not be applied to association with cats. Uncleanness in any form is condemned by Jehovah and the fact that the Apostle Paul made no distinction when it came to associating with housecats proves beyond a doubt that loyal Christians must avoid all association with all sources of uncleanness which would logically include animals that harbor such practices.

Are we not grateful for Gods viewpoint on such matters? True worshipers follow closely Gods mandates on cleanness to their eternal benefit! Sister Catless tells us that since getting rid of her cat, she has not had to be preoccupied with cleaning the litterbox or the burden of purchasing cat food. This has allowed her to spend more time to go pioneering and finds that it is now easier to meet her allotted hours in field service.

Brother Dognow puts it this way, "I'm so grateful that God's organization is kept clean! It has freed me from the burden of owning a cat and all the pitfalls that go with it. I hope all the brothers will realize how the Devil subtly uses cats to corrupt and distract us from the preaching work." (Matt. 24:14)

What fine examples of faithfulness! As loyal followers of Jehovah's thinking on this matter, we can rejoice in the fact that in the new system, the "Lion will lie down with the lamb". Yes, when Satan is finely abyssed the "beastly" nature of felines will be gone! But until that soon approaching time, God will reward all of our efforts to maintain integrity by loyally submitting to the leading of his spirit through the "Faithful and discreet slave".