Cats have been domesticated since ancient times and are generally beloved pets around the world. However, some religions have prohibitions or taboos against cats. In this article, we will explore which religions have historically opposed cats and the reasons behind these beliefs.
Islam
There is a common misconception that Islam universally condemns cats as evil creatures. This likely stems from confusion between culture and religious scripture. The Quran and authoritative hadiths do not prohibit cats, but some Islamic cultures have superstitions against cats.
For instance, a hadith from Abu Huraira states that the Prophet Muhammad prohibited the persecution of cats. According to Sahih Bukhari, the Prophet cut off his sleeves to avoid disturbing his cat Muezza while praying. And in one account, the call to prayer was delayed so the Prophet could wait for a cat sleeping on his robe to awake.
However, a hadith from Abd-Allah ibn Umar states that the Prophet commanded the killing of geckos out of hygienic concerns. Over time, this was misconstrued by some Muslims as a commandment against reptiles and felines. Additionally, pre-Islamic Arabian mythology often portrayed cats, especially black cats, as evil omens or manifestations of sin. These cultural biases persisted even after Islam spread through the region.
So while Islam has no official prohibitions against cats, some Islamic communities harbored superstitions against felines. But reverence for cats is also evident in Islamic history and many Muslims today have cats as beloved pets.
Ancient Egypt
Ancient Egyptians are renowned for their worship of cat deities, most notably Bastet. However, some scholars argue cats were not always revered in Egyptian society.
One theory states that during the Old Kingdom period (~2700 – 2200 BCE), cats were not domesticated or worshipped. Dogs were the primary domesticated animal and protector of humans. As cats were wild predators, they were deemed threats in this period.
But when the Middle Kingdom arose (~2000 BCE), the domestic cat became more common. As agriculture and granaries became widespread, cats likely became valued for controlling pests like rodents. And as the Nile delta swamps were tamed, the risk of wild feline attacks diminished. Additionally, the cat goddess Bastet rose to prominence around this era.
So while ancient Egyptian culture is now inextricably linked with cat worship, there may have been periods where wild cats were feared and disdained.
Early Christianity
There are a few theories on why cats were vilified in early Christendom, stemming from biblical associations:
- Cats were linked to paganism, witchcraft, and other non-Christian beliefs the church sought to stamp out.
- Wild cats and lions were equated with evil, danger, and depravity in biblical texts.
- Cats are nocturnal and mysterious, arousing early Christians’ suspicions.
These associations led to papal decrees from Pope Gregory IX in the 13th century condemning black cats as incarnations of Satan. This fueled witch hunts and cat killings across medieval Europe. Interestingly, these attitudes contrasted with Buddhism and Islam at the time, where kind treatment of cats was encouraged.
Overall, superstitious beliefs about cats aligned with early anti-pagan sentiments in Christianity. However, other biblical verses and Christian teachings emphasized kindness to all creatures. As witch hysteria declined and rationality rose in Europe, hatred of cats subsided.
Confucianism in China
In China, the rise of Confucian philosophy resulted in opposition to cat ownership starting around 200 BCE. Confucian teachings emphasized filial piety, propriety, and strict social hierarchies. Cats’ independent and unpredictable nature was deemed undignified and disorderly. Dogs were preferred as obedient, cooperative pets aligning with Confucian principles.
Under Confucian ideology, ruthless extermination of cats ensued. Owning or feeding stray cats was forbidden. This contributed to increasing rodent populations and the spread of diseases like the bubonic plague. But this discrimination against felines declined after the end of the Han dynasty as Confucianism’s influence waned.
Hinduism in parts of South Asia
Like Islam, Hinduism does not universally condemn cats. But some Hindu communities in South Asia consider cats impure. One rationale is cats’ predilection for hunting and eating mice and rats. As many Hindu sects practice vegetarianism and revere small animals’ lives, cats’ carnivorous nature disturbs them.
Hindus also consider cats sneaky thieves prone to stealing food offerings meant for deities. Their grooming habits scattering fur and saliva are deemed unhygienic and polluting. And black cats in particular are seen as ominous and associated with dark magic. These beliefs manifest in superstitions about inauspicious cats causing bad karma.
However, many other Hindu communities, particularly in Northern India, appreciate cats for controlling snakes and rodents. Reverence for all life prevents outright hatred of cats, similar to Buddhist values. But certain Hindu cultural attitudes contribute to negative perceptions of felines.
Conclusion
While no major religion universally condemns cats, cultural superstitions in some Islamic, Christian, Confucian, and Hindu communities fueled bias against felines. Wild cats’ predatory nature and independent behavior aroused suspicions. And pagan associations with fertility goddesses aligned cats with stigmatized polytheism.
But reverence for life and explicit encouragements for animal welfare in scriptures prevent outright cat hatred in these religions. With modernization debunking superstitions, respect for cats prevails in most places today. But vestiges of unfounded cultural taboos can still foster unfair stigma against cats.
References
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Data on Religions’ Historical Attitudes Towards Cats
| Religion | Overall Historical Attitude | Rationale/Factors |
|---|---|---|
| Islam | Neutral – Some cultural superstitions against cats, but no prohibitions in scripture and cats revered in some accounts of the Prophet’s life | Pre-Islamic cultural biases against cats persisted alongside accounts emphasizing kindness to cats |
| Ancient Egypt | Shifted from negative to positive around 2000 BCE – Cats disdained in early periods but gradually revered especially with the cat goddess Bastet | Domestication of wild cats and introduction of agriculture made cats more valued as pest controllers |
| Early Christianity | Very negative – cats seen as evil incarnate, aligned with witches/paganism | Biblical associations of cats with danger and immorality, church’s anti-pagan crusades |
| Confucianism | Very negative – ruthless cat extermination campaigns; ownership banned | Cats’ free-spirited nature deemed undignified and at odds with Confucian hierarchy/order |
| Hinduism | Negative in some communities – cats seen as impure, ominous | Vegetarianism and karma beliefs lead to objections to cats’ predatory habits |
This table summarizes the key religions and cultural groups that historically opposed cats, their general attitude, and the reasons behind the prejudice against felines. While no religion actively endorses cruelty to cats, cultural taboos have contributed to cat stigma in some communities into the modern era.
Islam Data Summary
Islam’s overall stance on cats is neutral – while some hadiths encourage kindness to cats, other cultural superstitions painted black cats as evil omens. Reverence for cats during the Prophet Muhammad’s life counters claims that Islam condemns cats entirely.
Ancient Egypt Data Summary
Ancient Egypt shifted from disdaining wild cats to worshipping domesticated felines around 2000 BCE. This correlates with agricultural development and the goddess Bastet’s increasing importance. The transition was gradual, not an absolute flip.
Early Christianity Data Summary
Early Christianity took a very negative view of cats, associating them with paganism, witchcraft, danger, and evil. Biblical texts and papal decrees encouraged cat persecution across Europe.
Confucianism Data Summary
Confucian edicts in China demanded ruthless cat extermination and cat ownership bans. Cats’ free-spirited nature contradicted Confucian principles of order, propriety, and restraint.
Hinduism Data Summary
Some Hindu communities consider cats impure or ominous, especially black cats. Hindu vegetarianism and karma beliefs cause opposition to cats’ predatory killing of mice and rats.