Animals and World ReligionsDespite increasing public attention to animal suffering, little seems to have changed: Human beings continue to exploit billions of animals in factory farms, medical laboratories, and elsewhere. In this wide-ranging and perceptive study, Lisa Kemmerer shows how spiritual writings and teachings in seven major religious traditions can help people to consider their ethical obligations toward other creatures. Dr. Kemmerer examines the role of nonhuman animals in scripture and myth, in the lives of religious exemplars, and by drawing on foundational philosophical and moral teachings. She begins with a study of indigenous traditions around the world, then focuses on the religions of India (Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain) and China (Daoism and Confucianism), and finally, religions of the Middle East (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam). At the end of each chapter, Kemmerer explores the inspiring lives and work of contemporary animal advocates who are motivated by a personal religious commitment. Animals and World Religions demonstrates that rethinking how we treat nonhuman animals is essential for anyone claiming one of the world's great religions. |
Contents
3 | |
1 Indigenous Traditions | 19 |
2 Hindu Traditions | 56 |
3 Buddhist Traditions | 91 |
4 Chinese Traditions | 127 |
5 Jewish Traditions | 169 |
6 Christian Traditions | 205 |
7 Islamic Traditions | 241 |
Conclusion | 277 |
Factory Farming and Fishing | 291 |
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335 | |
339 | |
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Common terms and phrases
action Allah animals anymals asked become believe birds body bring Buddha Buddhist called cattle cause century Chinese Christian compassion Consequently consume contemporary continue core cows created creation creatures critical cruelty Daoist death deer diet divine earth eggs encourages example exists exploitation factory farms fish flesh followers Foltz forest given God’s hand harm hens Hindu hold human hunting important Indian indigenous individual industries Islamic Jesus Jewish kill kind king land living means meat milk monkey moral mountains Muslims myths nature notes offer peace pigs practice prefer protect Qur’an relations religions religious traditions reminds requires respect responsibility reveal sacred saints scriptures shared slaughter speak species spiritual stand story suffering teachings tend things trees turn ultimately understanding universe vegan vegetarian wild writings young