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Dorothy Lowakutuk, Reteti Elephant Sanctuary | Image by Ami Vitale

Dorothy Lowakutuk, Reteti Elephant Sanctuary | Image by Ami Vitale

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Every minute of every day people harm animals in the name of religion, yet every major religion teaches that we owe animals kindness and respect.

We expose this fact.

Buddhism

Buddhism

Do not kill

Karma and reincarnation determine each soul’s many rebirths. Across eons, every soul has become connected as the beloved of every other soul. Non-harm is core to Buddhist ethics and the first precept forbids killing, yet some Buddhists sacrifice animals.

Christianity

Love

God created a vegan world and cares for all creatures; the Creator directed humans to serve God by caretaking creation. Jesus modeled expansive love and self-sacrificing service, particularly for those most vulnerable, yet some Christians disengage from the sufferings of this world.

Christianity
Confucianism

Confucianism

Humans are innately kind

All matter and all minds share a single, original source that, interconnects and equalizes all beings. Humans are inherently benevolent and to be truly human is, fundamentally, to be kind and compassionate, yet animal parts are sometimes used in Confucian festivals.

Daoism

Each being has a point of view

Humans have no special status in the universe. Human beings are to foster all life, live simply, and avoid dominating or interfering with nature or with the lives of other living beings, yet some Daoists make offerings with animal bodies.

Daoism
Hinduism

Hinduism

We are all one

In a universe of endless recurring cycles, karma determines each soul’s reincarnations. Across eons, each soul has, at some point, been dear to every other soul—we are all interrelated. Non-harm is central to Hindu ethics, yet some Hindus engage in animal sacrifice.

Indigenous

Indigenous Traditions

We are all kin

Though many and varied, indigenous religions usually view animals as sacred and as kin. Many indigenous stories recall a time of perfect peace, when species lived together as one community, without bloodshed, yet some natives continue to hunt, fish, and trap when they no longer need to do so.   

Islam

Islam

Animals have rights

Everything belongs to God; humans are to submit and serve God. Animals have explicit rights through God. Mohammad exemplified submission to God through compassion and respect for animals, but some Muslims engage in animal sacrifice.

Jainism

Jainism

Do not harm

Like us, each animal has a point of view and wishes to not to be harmed or killed, but to be contented. Humans must not harm or kill any living being, or cause anyone else to harm or kill any living being, through thought, word, or deed. Unfortunately, Jain animal sanctuaries do not necessarily alleviate suffering.

Judaism

Judaism

God created a vegan world

God, who cares about every living being, created a perfect world, which was vegan . Human beings, who are to serve God by caretaking and protecting creation on behalf of the Creator, may not cause suffering, yet some Jews slit chicken’s throats for ritual atonement.

Here For You

Activists

Expand your impact:
Tackle unfounded religious arguments that support animal cruelty.

People of Faith

Honor your faith:
Discover how your religion teaches you to care for animals.

Scholars

Deepen your knowledge:
Deep-dive into sacred writings on ethics and animals.

  • "(The) Animals & Religion Website is a valuable addition to the campaign to end the massive abuse of animals for food."

    Stephen R. Kaufman, M.D.
    Chair, Christian Vegetarian Association

  • "People have increasingly relied on the Internet for information (and) there has long been a need for (the Animals & Religion) website."

    Stephen R. Kaufman, M.D.
    Chair, Christian Vegetarian Association

  • "Building on (Tapestry’s) already stunning work for animals, this new Animals & Religions website... will be a major contribution."

    Judy McCoy Carman, M.A.
    Author and Co-founder of Interfaith Vegan Coalition

  • "(Tapestry’s) “Animals & Religion” website is very much needed... essential to efforts to reduce climate threats (and) future pandemics, ...and the current massive mistreatment of animals."

    Richard H. Schwartz, Ph.D.
    Author, President Emeritus of Jewish Vegetarians of North America,  
    co-founder and coordinator of the Society of Ethical and Religious Vegetarians,
    and Professor Emeritus at College of Staten Island

  • "The movement for animal justice can’t get the traction it needs for widespread cultural transformation without capturing the imaginations of the world’s 5.8 billion religious people."

    Matthew C. Halteman, Ph.D.
    Professor of Philosophy, Calvin University

  • "As a Muslim environmentalist and animal rights advocate, I strongly support creating the groundbreaking Animals & Religion website, which fills a critical gap, offering a scholarly, systematic, and well-vetted exploration of animals in every major religion."

    Ibrahim Ozdemir
    Professor of Philosophy,
    President, Uskudar University Forum on Environmental Ethic

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