Genesis
Introduction
Verses for skeptics

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Genesis1:28

And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

God commands us to "be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over ... every living thing that moveth upon the earth." This verse is used to justify Christian opposition to birth control, concern for the environment, and animal rights. The earth was made for humans, and they can do as they damn well please with it.

D. James Kenedy¹ uses this verse to claim that God has given Bible believers dominion over the entire earth, including all non-believers. And Ann Coulter says, presumably using this verse as for justification,

"God gave us the earth. We have dominion over the plants, the animals, the trees. God said, 'Earth is yours. Take it. Rape it. It's yours.'"²

2. Fox News, Hannity & Colmes, 2001