Nancy R. Howell, professor of theology at Saint Paul School of Theology, a United Methodist seminary in Kansas City, Mo., said theological reflection on human and animal natures had been stunted by inattention to recent developments in animal-behavior science.
“Deeper appreciation of the beauty and intensity of animal experience might generate and support a deeper and more interesting concept of God,” Howell said. “Animals are getting a new hearing with theologians.”
If Bekoff is right, said Jay McDaniel, a professor of religion at Hendrix College, theologians are called to develop a theology of animal minds and an ethic of animal protection.
“Animals have their own kind of spirituality, their own connection to the creator,” McDaniel said.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009, 10:05 AM
June 10th, 2009 | 12:01 pm
This was the sort of thing that drove my family out of the Episcopal Church and into the Catholic Church.
Last we heard, at our old parish they were handing out dog biscuits at the communion rail to the frisky four-leggers.