July 19, 2007
Animals and Religion
The HSUS announces Humane Society: Animals and Religion, a program that engages religious institutions and individuals in critical animal protection issues.
Our first major initiative is Food, Farming and Faith, which promotes an understanding of sacred food in various religious traditions and encourages their support of agricultural practices that are sustainable and reduce animal suffering. This program:
- explores the sacred dimensions of food in various religious traditions and highlights its vital place in community and faith (e.g., Kosher, Halal and the Eucharist);
- reports on the link between the industrial animal agriculture sector and current critical issues of faith communities, such as global hunger and climate change;
- secures the adoption of resolutions by the governing bodies of denominations addressing the needs for improved farm animal welfare; and
- encourages religious institutions and people of faith to purchase more humane and sustainably produced food and to advocate for improved farm animal welfare policies at the local, state and national levels.
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For the latest information on compelling Animals and Religion issues, including guest commentary by notable scholars, theologians and other religious leaders, sign up here to receive our online newsletter, Humane Steward, and other important updates about our work.
Bishop Hutchinson is just one of many religious leaders who has taken a stance against animal abuse. And several denominations and faiths—including The United Methodist Church—have official statements addressing animal welfare issues.
Together with organizations like the Animals and Religion Consultation of the American Academy of Religion, the Forum of Religion and Ecology, and the Sacred Foods Project, we promote scholarship on animals and religion, and encourage humane activism on the part of teachers and students of religion.
For more information, please contact us.
Updated Sept. 19, 2007