Episode 147 - Animals and World Religions

In this episode, Rev. Carol has an engaging conversation with Dr. Lisa Kemmerer, professor of philosophy and religions. Dr. Kemmerer is also an award-winning author of nine books, including Eating Earth, Animals, and World Religions, and Sister Species, and she is known internationally for her work across overlapping concerns of justice. Her advocacy includes nonhuman animals, the environment, and disempowered human beings. Our conversation traverses the fundamental tenet of all world religions, what it means to be an activist (many of us already are), how to invite your spiritual community to engage in more compassionate practices, what intersectionality is all about, and the upcoming Spiritual Forum hosted Vegan Spirituality Forum and Retreat at Unity Village, Missouri.

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NOTE: During our conversation, we reference Genesis 1 and Genesis 9. I was incorrect in stating that in Genesis 1, God gave a plant-based diet to humanity before entrusting humans with care for creation. The giving of the proper food was done after the stewardship statement. These are the verses:

28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground." 29 Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground-everything that has the breath of life in it - I give every green plant for food." And it was so.

The word “subdue” has been misunderstood as “dominate.” “Take care of” or “authority over” is a better translation. Here is what The Message Bible states,

28 God blessed them: "Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge! Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air, for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth." 29 Then God said, "I've given you every sort of seed-bearing plant on Earth And every kind of fruit-bearing tree, given them to you for food. 30 To all animals and all birds, everything that moves and breathes, I give whatever grows out of the ground for food." And there it was.

Isn’t it interesting to learn that every being - human and non-human alike - were given plants to eat in the beginning? It was a peaceful kingdom and the ideal toward which I believe we should strive daily.

I met with Dr. K on Zoom. Here is a photo of her.