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.
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