How Different Religions View Animals

Understanding How Different Religions View Animals

The internet provides us with great articles, describing all the different religious views and attitudes towards animals.
As we live amongst so many cultures in NZ, it is a great advantage to understand how different religions view animals.

Buddhism

"Although Buddhism is an animal-friendly religion, some aspects of the tradition are surprisingly negative about animals"

Christianity

For most of history Christians largely ignored animal suffering.

Islam

There is not an animal on earth, nor a bird that flies on its wings, but they are communities like you. Qur'an 6:38.

Presbyterian

Human beings have been given a unique mission to act as
"stewards" of our fellow creatures.

In the Press

Chicago Tribune

The world's primary religions consider humans to be superior to animals. While abuse is generally prohibited, most have historically overlooked cruel practices used to provide food, fur and service to humans.

Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences

Animal welfare has become a growing concern affecting acceptability of agricultural systems in many countries around the world.

World Animal Net

Religion can affect attitudes towards animals, and the way in which animals are treated, either positively or negatively.

Understand more about the views of Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, Christianity, Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Baha'i, American Indian.

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Frequently Asked Questions: How Different Religions View Animals

Bible make it clear not only that cruelty to animals is forbidden but also that compassion and mercy to them are demanded of man by God. … In later rabbinic lit- erature … great prominence is also given to demonstrating God's mercy to animals, and to the importance of not causing them pain.”

https://www.humanesociety.org/sites/default/files/docs/replenish-booklet-in-color.pdf