Animals: Tradition - Philosophy - Religion Article used with permission from All-Creatures.org
Dr. Michael W. Fox reflects on the harm that humanity has done to our planet and its creatures when we ceased to see the divine presence in nature. If we can once again embrace nature as holy, we will have the power to heal our world and ourselves.
Re-sanctifying Nature and All Our Relations
From Dr. Michael W. Fox, DrFoxOneHealth.com
August 2025
Photo from Canva
Since its early origins the human species has fabricated various Gods out of wonder, awe, respect and fear of natural processes and events, as well as various plants and animals, the sun, moon, and stars. Then came the deification of kings and emperors, followed by the rise of monotheistic religions with a male God. Now, with separation of church and state-spirituality and morality- and society from Nature, we have rational materialism and objectification that disgodded the world.
So, now we face the consequences of not respecting the numinous, the divine presence of natural creation and other sentient life-forms. The poisoned wastelands and cruel animal factory farms of industrial agriculture are testament to this state of mind and stage of human evolution. Some regard the climate crisis as Nature’s retribution, or their God’s.
Humans and Nature are one, and when we harm one we harm the other. Hallowing the last of the ancient old-growth forests as temples of spiritual healing power, and saving endangered species are acts of affirmation, contrition, and redemption.
We all have agency and the power of love to heal, and make whole all that we embrace as holy, and sanctify in reverential respect with justice for all sentient beings.
For a deeper dive into this issue, see my book For All Our Relations: Poetic Visions and Vexations of a Veterinarian. (Austin Macauley Publishers, 2025) with a Message from H.H. The Dalai Lama and Foreword by the late Fr. Thomas Berry.
Posted on All-Creatures.org: August 22, 2025
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