Profile: Quaker Concern for Animals
British Quaker helps to write Religious Proclamation for Animal Compassion...
by Kris Haley, Manager of Multifaith Outreach, Best Friends “We have now managed to establish a control not just over other species, but over the planet itself. Where we should be thinking fellowship, we are thinking domination. Such pernicious thinking has, in the past, had far-reaching consequences in our view of the world and its diverse inhabitants. These poignant words were spoken by Marian Hussenbux, at a September 06 Interfaith Celebration of Animals in Golders Green, UK. Marian, clerk for Quaker Concern for Animals, is also a member of a group of faith leaders who participated in a planning retreat at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, last July. She was an instrumental participant in the creation of
A Religious Proclamation for Animal Compassion, which will be unveiled in Washington, D.C. on November 7th.
Quaker Concern for Animals works for the protection of animals and the promotion of their rights, by characteristic Quaker means. The group takes a religious, yet practical, approach and is committed to the defense of the world’s fellow species, through a philosophy that all life is connected and appealing to the God within each.
Marian is also co-convenor of the newly formed Interreligious Fellowship for Animals which, on June 16th of this year, held its inaugural conference entitled:
Living Adventurously: Spiritual Perspectives on our Kinship with all Sentient Beings. The event brought together some thirty participants, thirteen of whom were members of Quaker Concern for Animals, to hear speakers representing Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Judaism, Sikhism and Spiritualism.
It is exciting and encouraging to see how more and more people and leaders of faith are creating new and innovative ways to inspire dialogue that will play a significant role in charting the course for the still emerging discipline of Animals & Religion. The Quaker approach is peaceful but firm, and works diligently toward the day when,
"... the eyes of human animals are fully open to the suffering of all of God’s creation." To visit Quaker Concern for Animals and walk through its wonderful, online archives, or to contact Marian Hussenbux, visit: www.quaker-animals.org.uk Photo credit: Quaker Concern for Animals and Marian Hussenbux, respectivelyTo visit or join Best Friends Animals & Religion Network Community visit: http://network.bestfriends.org/religion