August 3, 2007
“In a world of increasing violence
towards others, ourselves, and the planet we call home, we
believe it is absolutely essential to reclaim and recover a
commitment to compassion for all living things.”
-Rev. Michael Bruner.
It was the first evening of a two-day retreat
at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary for a small group of religious
leaders from around the country and beyond. Feeling particularly
inspired, one of them, Rev. Michael Bruner, professor of religion at
Azuza Pacific University, jotted down some ideas for the preamble to
a proclamation to which the group hopes thousands of faith leaders
from many countries will eventually add their names. Most of the
group were meeting each other for the first time, and Michael
Bruner’s “jottings” raised a cheer from everyone.
“You get the feeling that you’re part of
something that’s going to be very big and very wonderful,” said
United Methodist Church Pastor Jonathan Massey of Chandler, Ariz.
“We’re ready to take the next jump into the rights of other living
beings. It’s a major step spiritually and ethically.”
Rabbi Robin Nafshi, of the Jewish Community
Center in West Orange, N.J., said kindness to animals is an
important part of the Jewish faith. “We are taught that we have an
obligation for their well-being and to avoid causing pain whenever
possible.”
The group dove deep into some of the issues
that have divided people of faith in their attitude to animals –
like the question of whether non-human animals have souls. But the
group quickly concluded that theological debates of this kind really
don’t address the issue. Rabbi Nafshi pointed out that all living
beings are endowed by the Creator with “nefesh”, the breath of life.
“They are sentient beings, and that’s what matters most.”
Imam Qasim Ahmed, Founder and Director of the
Islamic Learning Institute, Inc., added that “An animal is a living,
breathing being we have a responsibility to care for. We humans are
born into the heavenly state…It is disobedience that removes us – In
order to make a difference for the animals, we must focus on the
humans…on bringing the humans back into the obedience state. Animals
are not disobedient ... so we can learn from the animals. The
animals have always been there [in a heavenly state].”
Several people noted that even raising the
subject of animal protection can be challenging. A few were heard to
say things like “I can’t really say ‘that’ from the pulpit.” Rev.
Zandra Wagoner, professor of religion at the University of La Verne,
pointed out that historically there has always been pressure in
Christian traditions to toe the line and not rock the boat.
“I have no doubt that if this initiative takes
flight and becomes a real conversation within our faith
communities,” she commented, “there will be backlash. And sadly the
Christian tradition has a long history of dealing with conflict
through censure, excommunication, firing, and defrocking.” She said
that any initiative will need to include encouragement of faith
leaders to be courageous. “There is so much pressure to be mediocre,
middle-of-the-road, don't-rock-the-boat ministers and priests. It
will help if there is a critical mass of religious leaders who are
advocating on behalf of the animals.”
The two-day retreat included participants from
overseas, who joined in through a webinar hookup.
In the breakout sessions, groups worked on
subjects like Companion Animal & Community Welfare;
Commercialization & Exploitation; and Wildlife Preservation &
Protection – with the goal of determining benchmarks for how people
of faith and leaders of faith might be called upon to support
animals from a spiritual perspective. For example, the Wildlife
Preservation & Protection group suggested a boycott of companies
that benefit from deforestation; the Commercialization &
Exploitation group said leaders of faith should help expose
corporate cruelty; and the Companion Animal & Community Welfare
group pointed out that while millions of homeless animals are still
being destroyed in shelters each year, people of faith are obligated
to put compassion into action for all of God’s creatures.
When the various groups came back together to
report on their discussion, there was much passion laced throughout
their reports. One in particular had everyone sitting right up in
their chairs. With a voice that would have done justice to the Ten
Commandments being delivered on Mount Sinai, Father Larry Evans of
Our Lady of Mercy Church in Jersey City, N.J., read from the draft
text of the Sports & Entertainment group:
“We, as people of faith, have been called upon
to care for the most vulnerable among us. And because animals are
sentient beings who are dependent on us for their quality of life
and wellbeing, we call upon all people of faith to reject arenas
that harm and exploit animals and instead choose to support sports
and entertainment venues that are both educational and beneficial to
animals.”
The retreat concluded with many of the
religious leaders expressing gratitude for being called to this very
important work of the soul and, particularly, for being introduced
to other like-minded faith leaders; “Until now,” said one, “many of
us thought we were alone in seeing the connection between animals
and faith. Now we know there is hope and we believe there are many
more of us out there.”
When members of the group have completed their
work on the proclamation, they’ll be inviting religious leaders of
all faiths and denominations to add their names to it.
“Every major religious tradition holds that we
are called upon to protect all living beings,” said Paul Berry,
executive director of Best Friends, “and never has this been more
urgent than now. Here at Best Friends, we’re delighted and inspired
by the enthusiasm of these leaders and the colleagues they
represent. And we want to help them, in every way, to bring the
message of kindness to animals to their congregations.”
There’s news about animals and religion at
www.network.bestfriends.org/religion/news/, where we’ll also be
updating the continuing discussion that began at the recent
gathering.
Return to Articles
