The significance and treatment of animals shares some differences and commonalities in a variety of world religions, including Christian, Judaic, Buddhist, Earth-based, Hindu, and Islam. There is also important significance of particular animals in indigenous cultures and shamanism.
Animals and Religion
Animal rights and religion overlap in more ways than are currently considered. But on this Saturday morning, let’s give thought to what the major world religions say regarding the rights of animals. Each religion values animals differently. While some people view animals as sacred based on the religion they follow, others merely see them as a source for food. Additionally, each religion has evolved over time and is practiced differently across cultures and countries.
What Each Major Religion Says About Animal Rights
Different religions, different animal ethics? (Oxford Academic)
Unveiling the sacred: Animals across religious traditions
Animals in the Bible: What Do They Mean Symbolically And Spiritually?
Fishes, Insects, Animals, Reptiles and Birds in Sacred Texts Part One:
Do Animals Have Gods? Exploring Animal Spirituality, Worship, and Belief Systems
Barrett Duke, vice president for public policy and research for the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty said, “You read the Bible and it’s very clear that humans are to engage in compassionate care for creation, which of course would include the animal world.” That mandate starts in Genesis 1:28, where God gives us “dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Some pervert the meaning of “dominion” to justify the wanton abuse of animals. But this is not a biblical understanding of stewardship. Proverbs 12:10 asserts, “Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.” The Bible is replete with instructions for Israel’s responsible consideration of animals, awe for God’s creatures, and depictions of a peaceable kingdom where things are set right: “The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them. Learn more in this article entitled A Call to Compassion by Kendra Langdon Juskus, in Christians for Social Action. ”https://christiansforsocialaction.org/resource/a-call-to-compassion-from-our-brothers-the-animals/
The Spirituality of Animals homily
This piece is entitled Compassion for All Creatures by Rabbi Dovid Sears, in which he writes, “God is good to all, and His mercy is upon all His works”. (Psalms 145:9). “This verse is the touchstone of the rabbinic attitude toward animal welfare. The Torah espouses compassion for all creatures and affirms the sacredness of life. These values are reflected by the laws prohibiting cruelty to animals and obligations for humans to treat animals with care.”
Britannica: Animal Worship – Animals in Religion, Rituals, and Mythology
Shamanic Symbolism: Animals and Nature Spirits
Power Animals
Gentle Paws, for the Animal Lover 