Faith

Pastor Incites Animal Rights Activists After Using Live Lion & Lamb During Easter Sermon

The Bible mentions both lambs and lions, so it’s certainly appropriate for Christians to discuss these animals in relevant sermons. But, on Easter Sunday, one preacher in Grapevine, Texas, took allegory and mixed it with a startling dose of reality. Pastor Ed Young of the Fellowship Church is being criticized by animal rights activists after bringing both a lion and a lamb — literally — on stage during his sermon.

You may recall that Young and his wife captured headlines last year after engaging in a “sex-periment” of sorts on their church’s rooftop. In this latest incident, which Young dubbed a creative way of tackling Biblical truths, rights groups called it cruel. According to WFAA-TV, the pastor was attempting to showcase how Jesus Christ is both a lion and a lamb.

“The handlers of the lion ran around the cage, sort of poking at him and taunting him to get him to lunge around,” said Stacy Smith, who works for the Humane Society of Flower Mound. ”Thousands and thousands of churches are able to convey the same exact message without using live animals.”

TX Pastor Irritates Animal Rights Activists After Using Lion & Lamb During His Easter Sermon

The caged lion that was used during the sermon (Image Credit: WFAA-TV)

Smith attended the service after hearing that Young would be using the live animals during service and she decided to record the spectacle on her cell phone. She believes that the incident is an example of the mistreatment of animals.

The pastor, though, says that the animals weren’t mistreated. In an interview with News 8, he explained his side of the debate.

“We would never do anything to endanger our people,” Young said. “Also, we would never do anything to endanger an animal. We love animals.”

TX Pastor Irritates Animal Rights Activists After Using Lion & Lamb During His Easter Sermon

The lamb that was used during the worship event (Image Credit: WFAA-TV)

And while detractors and those opposed to this teaching method claim that the animal use is unnecessary and unwarranted, Young says the church plans to continue utilizing wildlife throughout it’s “Wild” sermon series. This teaching series will continue over the next few weeks.

TX Pastor Irritates Animal Rights Activists After Using Lion & Lamb During His Easter Sermon

A screen shot from the church's web site.

Here’s how the church describes the series on its web site:

Wild. The stampede of an elephant. The echo of a gorilla’s roar. The unflinching courage of a lion. There are so many aspects of the animal world that take our breath away, that cause us to stand in awe and wonder.

In this series, Ed Young is joined by some of the most powerful animals in the world. And as they work together to communicate biblical truths into our lives, we discover that God has a powerful and awe-inspiring plan for every one of us.

We are passionate about partnering with people and organizations who share God’s standard and respect for animals, and have a long history of doing so. And we look forward to the amazing life change that we believe this series will bring about.

“I think it’s great to expose our kids, to expose our church to that,” the pastor said. “I think for far too long, the church has stifled creativity.”

Police are currently looking into whether the church violated any laws with its use of animals.

(H/T: WFAA.com)

Comments (35)

  • qzak491
    Posted on April 13, 2012 at 11:52am

    Pakistani Blogger Slams Islamic Feast of Eid: ‘Call Me an Infidel’ But I Can‘t ’Make Merry‘ at ’Mass-Murdering’ Cute Animals

    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 11:44pm by Tiffany Gabbay Tiffany Gabba

    One of the most significant religious holidays celebrated by Muslims across the globe is the Eid Al-Adha, or “Festival of Sacrifice.” The three-day feast commemorates the biblical prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael in submission to God. To this end, millions of animals – goats, sheep, cows and camels – are sacrificed for the occasion.

    Faith Florida Politician Attempts to Block Islamic Animal Slaughter Ceremony

    Despite Alu’s efforts to derail the slaughter, Hamze claims that a new, undisclosed venue has been found and that it will be proceeding as originally planned. As for his opinion on Alu, whom he has spoken with, he claims that he believe‘s she’s simply a big animal lover and that he doesn’t think she has any malice toward the Muslim community.

    Where are these animal rights activists on this???

    Report Post »  
  • drenfroe
    Posted on April 12, 2012 at 9:56pm

    As usual Activists go way to far for a point. They think thy’re the only ones who know how to treat an animal. When real torture is involved let us know, otherwise shut up.

    Report Post »  
  • Daniela T
    Posted on April 12, 2012 at 6:12pm

    It is written that the whole Creation is ….Romans 8:22 22 For we know that all creation keeps on groaning together and being in pain together until now. 23 Not only that, but we ourselves also who have the firstfruits, namely, the spirit, yes, we ourselves groan within ourselves, while we are earnestly waiting for adoption as sons, the release from our bodies by ransom. 24 For we were saved in [this] hope; but hope that is seen is not hope, for when a man sees a thing, does he hope for it? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we keep on waiting for it http://www.watchtower.org/e/bible/ro/chapter_008.ht

    Every word of the Bible get fulfilled accordingly with the Human and Animal rights! I
    saiah 65:17:25 especially ! 17 “For here I am creating new heavens and a new earth; and the former things will not be called to mind, neither will they come up into the heart. 18 But exult, YOU people, and be joyful forever in what I am creating. For here I am creating Jerusalem a cause for joyfulness and her people a cause for exultation. 19 And I will be joyful in Jerusalem and exult in my people; and no more will there be heard in her the sound of weeping or the sound of a plaintive cry.”

    20 “No more will there come to be a suckling a few days old from that place, neither an old man that does not fulfill his days; for one will die as a mere boy, although a hundred years of age; and as for the sinner, although a hundred years of age he will have evil called down upon hi

    Report Post »  
  • froggy19510
    Posted on April 12, 2012 at 4:52pm

    I wonder how it would have gone if he tried to illustrate “the lion shall lie down with the lamb”?
    Now that would have been a sermon! Or reinact David in the lions den or Samson killing the lion
    with his bare hands! Or killing three thousand Philistenes withe jawbone of an ass? I’d pay to see that!

    Report Post » froggy19510  
  • KAS_Wolf
    Posted on April 12, 2012 at 4:38pm

    Hmm…I saw a lamb being carefully held and a lion being played with by a professional handler.

    This PC mentality is going to destroy our culture.

    Report Post » KAS_Wolf  
  • Larry E
    Posted on April 12, 2012 at 3:17pm

    The “animal rights” ninnies have to have something to whine about to keep themselves in the news, whether or not it’s warranted. Maybe they should get a life?

    Report Post »  
  • Endstatism
    Posted on April 12, 2012 at 3:06pm

    I think I will preach a sermon on Elisha in the Old Testament and bring in a bear as a prop :D

    Report Post » Endstatism  
  • Chet Hempstead
    Posted on April 12, 2012 at 2:22pm

    I’m not a big fan of animal rights activists, but I’m with them on this one. Confining a lion for hours in a cage that size and transporting it between states is a necessary evil that becomes an unnecessary evil when it is done for such a frivolous purpose.

    Report Post »  
  • INVISIBLESMITHANDWESSON
    Posted on April 12, 2012 at 2:00pm

    The handler looked more like he was “playing” with lion than anything. The cat probably loved it. It’s not like the pastor held up the lamb next to the cage…now that would be taunting it! She needs to go back to the Church of the Green Dragon or find a druid’s conclave.

    Report Post » INVISIBLESMITHANDWESSON  
  • bigdaddyt46
    Posted on April 12, 2012 at 1:08pm

    so what??? my church rented a donkey for 3 days and had it out front of the church. people came and petted it and gave it food and water and showed it all kinds of love. the handler said he has never seen her become as animated as it did those three days in front of our church(he wrote a letter of thanks to be read during easter services) boil it down that donkey was happier then micheal jackson at a boyscout jamboree. NOW THAT’S HAPPY :D

    Report Post » bigdaddyt46  
  • spirited
    Posted on April 12, 2012 at 11:14am

    How about a snake being fed a live mouse in his next sermon?

    That would demonstrate several topics; religious, social and political.

    >Course, the mouse should be put in a paper lunch bag,
    then wacked on the pavement a couple of times; so that the snake isn’t injured…. ya know.

    Report Post » spirited  
  • NOT A CRAZY
    Posted on April 12, 2012 at 10:03am

    The lady is a flat out liar. The handler touched the lion to get its attention. WHOOP-D-FREAKEN-DOO. Who is she going after next, Cal Worthington?

    Report Post » NOT A CRAZY  
  • Abraham Young
    Posted on April 12, 2012 at 8:56am

    I have no objection to a young woman being mesmerized by a false ideology. I merely object to the use of government to enforce that ideology upon others. We are a free people, let’s keep it that way. Government has a place, doing with our power what we would have them do, and not usurping it to do unto us what we have no right to do to others.

    Central planning is the stupidest idea to come along – ever.

    Report Post »  
  • vaman
    Posted on April 12, 2012 at 8:54am

    It’s doubtful this guy hurt the animals, but it was just a studid thing to do. Religion does bring out the strangest part of people.

    Report Post »  
    • NOT A CRAZY
      Posted on April 12, 2012 at 10:10am

      What was stupid about it? What is stupid is a twit with an agenda making something out of nothing. Do you think Hollywierd is stupid? They use animals constantly to get their point across. Oh, excuse me they pay some blackmailing idiot to sit on the set to make sure that ‘no animals were hurt during the production of this movie.’ What a joke.

      Report Post » NOT A CRAZY  
    • Solzhenitsin
      Posted on April 12, 2012 at 1:12pm

      He didn’t do anything strange with the animals unless you consider showing live animals to other people “strange”. How about those religious evolutionists who run zoos? Weirdos, right?

      Report Post »  
  • cemerius
    Posted on April 12, 2012 at 8:27am

    P.E.T.A. = People Eeating Tasty Animals :)

    Report Post » cemerius  
  • BurntHills
    Posted on April 12, 2012 at 8:22am

    sorry but ”animal activists” is just one more term describing mindless wild-eyed ranting lib democrats (who DELIBERATELY kill their own young).

    Report Post » BurntHills  
  • Jenny Lind
    Posted on April 12, 2012 at 8:13am

    Sigh……It takes all kinds……woweeee. Shaking my head and wondering.

    Report Post »  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on April 12, 2012 at 8:07am

    .
    It could have been worse. The Lion could have broke out his cage and mauled & ate the Lamb right there…….

    Even better the Lion breaks out the cage, turns and eats the PC White Animal Rights Activists Obama Voting Moron in the front row……..

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
    • NOT A CRAZY
      Posted on April 12, 2012 at 10:06am

      @Spank…that is the only reason I opened this one. I thought maybe they threw the lamb in with the lion. It really does show something now that I think about it. The lion laying down with the lamb would be impossible without the Creators intervention.

      Report Post » NOT A CRAZY  
    • SgtB
      Posted on April 12, 2012 at 10:43am

      If you want to see a lion eating an animal, you can easily go over to youtube and look up chinese zoo feeding lions. Over there, they know how to feed lions and tigers. They don’t but up some meat and put it in a dish like we do here. They have a big truck with a bed that tilts and they load it up with goats or cows and then dump them off in the middle of the enclosure where the lions and other predators quickly take down and consume the creature. Of course, I don’t think PETA is present in China, or on the savannah.

      Report Post » SgtB  
  • JACKTHETOAD
    Posted on April 12, 2012 at 7:59am

    Meanwhile in sports news, most analysts predict another undefeated season for The Lions vs. their arch rivals, The Christians. :)

    Report Post » JACKTHETOAD  
  • qpwillie
    Posted on April 12, 2012 at 7:55am

    The handler wasn’t taunting the lion. He was being playful …… and the lion was clearly enjoying it. People who can’t read the actions of animals should stay away from them and keep their mouths shut about the subject.

    Report Post » qpwillie  
    • Solzhenitsin
      Posted on April 12, 2012 at 1:16pm

      I agree with you. Look at all the people who ascribe spite to cats for narrowing their eyes. If they understood cats, they’d know that the eyes-half-closed look indicates trust, sometimes contentment. When their eyes are wide open, that’s when you are in danger of a swipe.

      Play with a cat (nicely) and compare it’s body language with the lion above. Ears forward, eyes tracking the toy, grabbing with paws rather than claws; that’s a cat at play.

      Report Post »  
  • kaydeebeau
    Posted on April 12, 2012 at 7:32am

    Once again so called animal “rights” activists fully illustrating the hypocritical double standard. So using a lion and a lamb as props at one of the cathedrals built for God and His work is wrong but sacrificing children on the alter of the leftist cathedral called Planned Parenthood is just fine?

    Report Post » kaydeebeau  
  • LetsBeSmartAboutThis
    Posted on April 12, 2012 at 7:18am

    P.E.T.A.= cry babies.

    Report Post »  
  • lukerw
    Posted on April 12, 2012 at 7:15am

    The Kooks… are Running Wild!

    Report Post » lukerw  
  • searching for the Truth
    Posted on April 12, 2012 at 6:58am

    Dang! Let me look ? I’m sure I saw something about animals on page 2000 & something! Wait a minute – here’s something on mules – nope – that’s not it.

    Report Post »  
    • Mess23
      Posted on April 12, 2012 at 7:24am

      You are in the wrong book, it’s in the defense budget under – under legalizes beastiality…

      Report Post »  
    • JACKTHETOAD
      Posted on April 12, 2012 at 7:33am

      You must mean the koran, MESS. It’s right next to necrophilia, I think.

      Report Post » JACKTHETOAD  
  • momrules
    Posted on April 12, 2012 at 6:51am

    Grandstanding to get a point across. The lion and the lamb thing is misquoted anyway.
    Read Isaiah 11:6

    Report Post »  
    • qpwillie
      Posted on April 12, 2012 at 7:51am

      The pastor’s illustration had nothing to do with the passage in Isaiah. It was a different message altogether.

      Report Post » qpwillie  

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Glenn Beck Radio

Listen to Glenn Beck 24/7 Listen Now
Restoring Love