Written by PETA
When PETA heard that the Committee on Bible Translation had revised the New International Version (NIV) of the Christian Bible to use gender-inclusive language, such as replacing "men" with "people," we thought, wouldn't it be great if the new NIV showed consideration for female (and male) animals too? So we wrote to the Committee on Bible Translation and asked them to use "he" or "she" rather than "it" to refer to animals in the next edition of the NIV.
"Language matters. Calling an animal 'it' denies them something," PETA Vice President Bruce Friedrich told CNN. "They are beloved by God. They glorify God."
Since God loves all His creation (and if you're not convinced of this, try reading Matthew 25:40, Isaiah 11:9, or Luke 6:36), it's only fitting that humans do the same by showing respect to every living being. Maybe Psalm 50:11 says it best: "I know and am acquainted with all the birds of the mountains, and the wild animals of the field are Mine and are with Me, in My mind." Perhaps if we change the way we speak about animals, our thinking will follow.
Written by Michelle Sherrow
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