Description: Despite 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 towards other creatures.
Review Quotes: "[An] impressive book...The publication of this book is an outstanding achievement."--Animal Spirit
"[A] compelling book....This thought-provoking book should be required reading for people who say that they are religious but seem to think that they need not take animals into consideration."--PETA Prime Book Club"This is a beautifully written and passionate example of philosophical activism that is humble enough to take ancient wisdom seriously in the service of very modern questions." --Philosophy in Review"Academically erudite and discerning...Kemmerer's new book is an eloquent contribution to what has always been a critical issue for our long-term survival and wellbeing." --New Lotus"Kemmerer's book is useful for those who wish to review folkloric similarities that are part of the foundational texts of world religions, for example 'morality tales' of wise, talking animals responding to natural crises or human-derived cruelties. The narrative of the Buddha-parrot saving a forest of animals is particularly delightful." --Religion"Kemmerer demonstrates many times over that the core, the fundamental teachings of the religions of the world are 'radically friendly' to other-than-human animals, demanding respect, justice, and compassion. With the publication of her book, the future of religion-and-animal-studies will be forever changed-for the better."---Tom Regan author, The Case for Animal Rights
"Focuses on Hinduism, Buddhism, and jainism in India, Daoism and Confucianism in China, and the three Abrahamic faiths with origins in the Middle East."--The Chronicle Review"Kemmerer has provided us with a real moral service."--Spirituality & Practice"This is an important text...I am grateful to Kemmerer for writing this book. I am grateful for the fact that it is in the world for people to read. But perhaps mostly, I am grateful that it is a reminder that religious teachings of love and compassion for anymals are meant to be practiced. Practice requires action, and Animals and World Religions explores how, from each corner of the world, there is a call to action for anymals."--Our Hen House"The genius of this book is that it is so appropriately structured, both chronologically and topically... This book is a unifying work sublime in its interest and purpose, reflecting the divinity that is infused in the myriad of creatures whose lives invite respect, love, and compassion in every human individual and tradition." --Between the Species