Bible Text: Genesis 1:20-26 | Preacher: James Allan | Series: Genesis | Man is given dominion over the earth. This does not give us any right to be cruel to animals. The cruelty of nature is a consequence of the fall of man. The function of the church is not to campaign for animal rights but He made us to be stewards. Our compassion on animals is not because they are like us. We are made after God’s likeness. There is a dignity to man.