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August 26, 2009
The Spirituality of Caring for All Creatures
Susan Vogt (www.SusanVogt.net) is a freelance speaker and writer on marriage, parenting, and spirituality. This is a Francis Files essay on factory farming after Vogt read A Religious Case for Compassion for Animals and watched Eating Mercifully.
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May 25, 2009
The Ultimate Yogic Diet
Yogis have a long tradition of eschewing meat, in part because our practice teaches that we are connected to all living beings. The word yoga literally means "yoke" or union. Chuck explains that for him vegetarianism is "part of realizing a connection with the rest of the world and not wanting to do harm if we don't have to." This concept of non-violence is a central tenant to the yogic ethical principles known as the yamas and niyamas. Yamas (roughly translated as restraints) are practices to prevent harmful behaviors such as lying, violence, theft, greed, or sexual excess, while the niyamas (observances) cultivate positive outcomes like discipline, purity, contentment, self-study, and surrender to God. These ten moral teachings form the base of the classical yogic system outlined thousands of years ago. In this traditional approach, the yamas and niyamas precede the physical exercises, breath work, and meditation???implying that attention to our moral character is a primary imperative of practicing yoga.
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April 16, 2009
St. Francis of Assisi
St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and ecology. profile.
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April 16, 2009
A Pastor's View On Eating Mercifully
Justin Bills is an associate pastor at Canyon Creek Fellowship Church in SE, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Originally published 3-29-09, in the S.E. Calgary News. Reprinted with permission. I've been on an interesting process over the last week or so. Animal care is a "Christian" thing. In fact, I believe God cares more about animals than what most of us are taught to think.
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April 15, 2009
Earth Ethics: Animals & Religion Edition 2004
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April 6, 2009
The HSUS Applauds Palmetto Family Council for Outreach on Animal Protection Issues
The HSUS commends Palmetto Family Council of South Carolina for its new publication, Dominion and Stewardship: A Biblical View of Animals.
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March 24, 2009
In the Spirit of Easter, Be Humane and Honor Creation
Animals & Religion tips for a humane and joyful Easter. And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation." (Mark 16:15) In anticipation of Easter Sunday, The Humane Society of the United States has tips to help make your celebration as humane as it is joyful.
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March 3, 2009
Religious Leaders Take a Vow Against Dogfighting
Chicago religious leaders join to denounce dogfighting.
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January 12, 2009
Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia Schools Go Cage-Free
The Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia school system, which includes 20 high schools, is now using only cage-free eggs. These schools join more than 350 other schools across the country which are moving away from using eggs from hens kept in battery cages, where the birds are so cramped they can't even spread their wings. A battery-caged bird spends nearly her whole life in a space smaller than a sheet of paper. The Catholic Church Supports Animal Protection The Roman Catholic Church has a number of statements on animals in regard to care for creation including: "Animals are God's creatures. He surrounds them with his providential care. By their mere existence they bless him and give him glory. Thus men owe them kindness. We should recall the gentleness with which saints like St. Francis of Assisi or St. Philip Neri treated animals ... It is contrary to human dignity to cause animals to suffer or die needlessly." ???from Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part Three, Section Two, Chapter Two, Article 7, 2:2416
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December 25, 2008
Eden Good Mixes Food, Faith and Fun in Vegan Cooking Show
Fueled by the principles of healthy living from the Seventh Day Adventist Church, the team created a cooking show that ministers to anyone and everyone looking to adopt a healthier and tastier diet. On the air since 2006, Eden Good can be seen on cable stations in the Washington, D.C., Metro Area. The HSUS interviewed Bonita Bolden, executive producer for Eden Good.
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December 25, 2008
Animals and Faith
Do your views about animals influence your faith? Contributors to The Francis Files share their stories. Judy Carman is the author of Peace to All Beings: Veggie Soup for the Chicken's Soul (Lantern Books, 2003). Ms. Carman is also the founder of the Circle of Compassion Initiative, co-founder of Animal Outreach of Kansas, and co-coordinator of the Universal Prayer Circle for the Animals.
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December 18, 2008
Faithful Force: Animals & Religion
Reflections on 2008, Looking ahead to 2009 As I look to 2009, I see a better world for animals. With the momentum of the All Creatures Great and Small campaign, and the power the film, Eating Mercifully, we have so much to build on. And, we have the support of major denominations through the numerous and diverse statements they have made about the importance of treating animals humanely. Animal suffering, factory farming, puppy mills, species extinction and so on, have been addressed by some of the most well known religious leaders of our day, along with the major governing bodies of the largest denominations in the country. I encourage everyone to explore what their tradition has to say about animals and to share that information with their pastor, congregation members, friends or family.
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December 16, 2008
The Three-legged Messenger
Has an animal influenced your faith? Contributors to The Francis Files share their stories. by Mary Mandeville I grew up in a devout Roman Catholic home. Attending Catholic school I learned a troubling truth, that I was stained by original sin, even before birth. I longed for my very own guardian angel, but it seemed that none was forthcoming. Maybe guardian angels don't always arrive on clouds announced by trumpets. Maybe, just maybe, they can have wavy black fur and three legs. I still tend to be a "Doubting Thomas", struggling with faith in god and faith in humanity every day. Still, Molly gave me faith in the love of a dog. I think it's as good a place as any to start. At age 15, Molly passed away 10 days before Christmas last year. "She was a remarkable soul," said Mandeville. Mary Mandeville lives in Portland, Oregon.
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November 16, 2008
Not One Sparrow: Reconnecting to God through the Love of His Creatures
Ben DeVries is the producer of the website and blog "Not One Sparrow," a Christian voice for animals.
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November 10, 2008
Power Point Slides: All Creatures Great and Small
As part of our resources to support the All Creatures Great and Small campaign, The HSUS offers four PowerPoint slide templates to use for sermons, workshops, lectures and presentations. Browse the sermon resources available as well as other information to help build your tutoral on All Creatures Great and Small.
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October 30, 2008
Pets at the Heart of the Home
Dodger came home with us that very day and was never far from either of us for the rest of his too-short life. He somehow became the heart of our home, even though he was by no means the only cat, nor even the eldest. There was just something about him that made all of the other cats fall in love with him too, and he became the most benign ruler in the history of catdom! He passed away suddenly, only six years later of congestive heart failure. His loss is still felt and always will be, even by the other cats. How can one tiny, rescued animal make such a difference in your life? There is no explanation: one can only be glad he did. Loving Dodger brought God into our lives again, since we were certain He had abandoned us when Athena died. His warmth and love for us showed us that no matter how briefly the gift of love comes into our life, we should thank God every day for the days that it does. It truly is better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all.
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October 30, 2008
Pastor Writes Pet Prayers to Celebrate Animals, Comfort Loss
Charis (pronouned kare???-iss) was the companion of my heart for 11 years. She was there for me to talk to when no one else was. She had fur as soft as silk, and just petting her brought me peace and comfort. She would fetch little wads of paper, carrying them back to me with a chortle in her voice. She would pick up her stuffed-animal (a dog) and stand in the middle of the room and literally holler for me to come and play with her. She had at least a dozen other recognizable vocalizations, including a special chatter whenever she would see a bird. Then, one day, it was her time to make the transition to go to that Heavenly Garden where she is now spending eternity. I look forward to seeing her again there. When she died, I really needed a way to commemorate her life and mourn her death.
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October 30, 2008
Fostering a Spiritual Connection with Animals
Has an animal influenced your faith? Contributors to The Francis Files share their stories. Submit your story and we may share it with our readers. The opinions of the authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of The Humane Society of the United States. Megan Blake has rescued animals all her life, is an actress, media pet spokesperson, the co-author (with her cat) of the book series, "The Adventures of Tout Suite The Travel Kitty", and is Host of and a Pet Expert on "Animal Attractions TV." The author resides in Malibu, Calif. My first memories are of being drawn to animals, any animals: other people's pets and horses in a field. It was as if I was drawn to a grounded ancient connection that ran deeper than what human beings offered. My doting parents were loving and attentive, but when I looked into animals' eyes, it was as though I looked into past eyes of wisdom toward lessons waiting to be revealed and remembered. As I grew into childhood, I got my first cat, Kitty Boo, and dog, Blackie, and on my ninth Christmas, Santa gave me my life's dream: a white pony named Silkie. Life was complete! However, this fantasy quickly dematerialized when my perfect companion turned out to be barn-sour, stubborn and mean. As a child, these next two years of struggle seemed like 200 years of study in the arts of patience, listening and respecting the ways of "others." By listening to her subtle cues and communicating within this silence, the deepest of bonds appeared, as though we were somehow energetically linked.
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July 25, 2008
Methodist Congregations, Local Shelters, Come Together with HSUS to Bless the Animals
The unusually high temperatures on a Saturday in mid-June didn't dampen the spirits of two United Methodist Church congregations in Frederick County, Md, that came together with The Humane Society of the United States to celebrate animals with a pet blessing ceremony. In an open field surrounded by a high school and new suburban development, the small group, which included volunteers with Frederick County Animal Control and Frederick County Humane Society, gathered under a tent among dry winds and high heat. Pet blessing ceremony June 2008, Urbana Maryland with video.
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July 23, 2008
Sharing Our Dwelling Place With Animals
Contributors to The Francis Files share their stories
