Animal Theologians

This volume explores the relationship between animals and religion, featuring 24 scholarly studies from Jewish, Unitarian, Christian, transcendentalist, Muslim, Hindu, Dissenting, deist, and Quaker voices. It challenges the dominant anthropocentrism of most religious traditions and reclaims different religious traditions for animals by recovering lost voices.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 456 pages
Publication date: 24 May 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

Many individuals who have pondered the concept of God have not given much attention to animals or the intricate relationship between the two. However, among those who have delved into this topic, some of the most renowned religious thinkers have emerged. This remarkable collection comprises 24 scholarly studies that challenge the prevailing anthropocentrism prevalent in most religious traditions. The editors have skillfully assembled a diverse array of voices, including Jewish, Unitarian, Christian, transcendentalist, Muslim, Hindu, Dissenting, deist, and Quaker perspectives, each offering a unique theological perspective that counters the neglect of nonhuman beings.

Animal Theologians is structured into three distinct parts, beginning with the pioneers who recognized the connection between animals and divinity, those who played a significant role in expanding social sensitivity towards animals, and concluding with the work of contemporary theologians. The essays within this volume employ contextual and historical backgrounds to elucidate the factors that shaped the beliefs of animal theologians, thereby paving the way for further advancements in this rapidly evolving field.

This volume serves as a powerful act of reclaiming various religious traditions for animals by resurrecting the voices that have been silenced over time. It is a testament to the growing recognition that animals, too, possess inherent worth and deserve to be treated with reverence and compassion. By exploring the theological dimensions of animal existence, this book offers valuable insights into the interconnectedness of all beings and encourages us to embrace a more holistic and inclusive perspective on our world.

Dimension: 235 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197655559