Dr Joe Wills, lecturer in Law at the University of Leicester, explores the historic status of animals in law, contemporary efforts to advance the position of animals through legislation and how we can all play our part in animal advocacy.
Victoria Moran, bestselling author and founder of Main Street Vegan Academy, reflects upon her conversations with pioneers of the vegan movement and the spiritually life-changing impact of these encounters.
Years ago, I was with a group for an early American educational weekend. We were to experience part of life as early settlers did, including the making of meals from start to finish. In preparation for supper, our group was told we had to kill a chicken. We were all expected to be there, whether or not we were directly involved in the killing and prepping of the chicken for the evening meal.
PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is raising eyebrows with its new commercial, as Oscar-nominated actor James Cromwell portrays a priest hearing the confession of a meat industry marketing executive in a video entitled Redemption.
The mental capacities and social lives of farmed animals is explored by Professor Barbara J King who uncovers what modern science teaches us about the minds of animals, how the issue of animal sentience is regarded in society and what practical steps people can be take in favour of animals.
Professor Robert Garner, lecturer of political theory at the University of Leicester, considers how the objectives of animal advocates might be politically implemented within contemporary society.
Andrew Knight is a Professor of Animal Welfare and Ethics at the University of Winchester, and Director of Research and Education for SAFE in New Zealand. He investigates the case of Jack the Ripper and posits whether he might have been a 19th century slaughterhouse worker. Andrew goes on to highlight the links between violence inflicted on animals, and that which is perpetrated on humans.
Dr Panu Pihkala of the University of Helsinki uncovers and challenges the socially constructed silence which facilitates so much of today’s animal suffering.
Dr Joyce D’Silva, public speaker, author, ambassador and former chief executive of Compassion in World Farming explores the pro-animal voices found within various faith traditions and challenges Christian leaders to speak out so that the current world of animal exploitation can start to be replaced with one of respect and compassion.
Dr Philip J. Sampson, Fellow of the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics, uncovers the spiritually corrosive effects of hunting. He reveals a strong evangelical tradition of opposition towards cruelty and the embracing of kindness and gentleness to all creatures.