Animal Welfare In World Religion Teaching And Practice | Environment & Sustainability

This unique and readable book examines the relationship between religion and animal welfare taking a detailed dive into the teachings and practices of the major world religions. While there are many books expounding the beliefs of the major religions and many about the rights and welfare of animals there are few linking the two. With each chapter focusing on one of the five major religions – Judaism Christianity Islam Hinduism and Buddhism – the book explores the beliefs and practices which drive our relationship with and treatment of animals. The book draws on the scriptures of the major faiths and includes the voices of leading historical religious figures and contemporary faith leaders. In doing so it compares the teachings of old with contemporary practices and showcases the impact of the major religions on both the protection and exploitation of animals from running animal sanctuaries to participating in or condoning cruel sports and factory farming. Importantly the book also includes a chapter looking beyond the major world religions where it examines a wider range of beliefs and practices including Indigenous peoples from the USA and Australia Jainism Sikhism and Rastafarianism to provide fascinating insights into another range of beliefs and views on the human-animal relationship. Overall this book challenges and encourages religious leaders and followers to re-examine their teachings and to prioritise the well-being of animals. This book is essential reading for those interested in the role of religion in animal welfare human-animal studies and animal welfare and ethics more broadly. |Animal Welfare in World Religion Teaching and Practice | Environment & Sustainability