Dave Aftandilian is Associate Professor of Anthropology, member of the leadership team for the Compassionate Awareness and Living Mindfully (CALM) Program, and founding Director of the Human-Animal Relationships (HARE) Program at Texas Christian University.Barbara R. Ambros is Professor of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.Aaron S. Gross is Professor of Religious Studies at the University of San Diego, a past president of the Society for Jewish Ethics, and the founder of the nonprofit organization Farm Forward.

• On Human Animal Being: An Opening Linda Hogan Introduction to Animals and Religion Aaron S. Gross, Dave Aftandilian, and Barbara R. Ambros Part I: Religion and Identity 1. L’nuwey Views of Animal Personhood and Their Implications Margaret Robinson 2. Animal Consciousness and Cognition Robert W. Mitchell and Mark A. Krause 3. Emotion Donovan O. Schaefer 4. Gender and Sexuality Katharine Mershon 5. Race, Animals, and a New Vision of the Beloved Community Christopher Carter 6. From Inspirational Beings to “Mad” Veg/ans: Tensions and Possibilities between Animal Studies and Disability Studies Alan Santinele Martino and Sarah May Lindsay 7. Human Beings and Animals: Same, Other, Indistinct? Matthew Calarco Part II: Religious Practices and Presence 8. Learning to Walk Softly: Intersecting Insect Lifeworlds in Everyday Buddhist Monastic Life Lina Verchery 9. An Islamic Case for Insect Ethics Sarra Tlili 10. Animal Theology Allison Covey 11. Blue Theology and Water Torah: People of Faith Caring for Marine Wildlife Dave Aftandilian 12. Animal Families in the Biblical Tradition Beth A. Berkowitz 13. The Cat Mitzvah: Jewish Literary Animals Andrea Dara Cooper 14. Blessings of Pets in Jewish and Christian Traditions Laura Hobgood 15. Becoming-Priceless through Sacrifice: A Goat for San Lázaro-Babalú Ayé Todd Ramón Ochoa 16. Refraining from Killing and Releasing Life? The Ethical Dilemmas of Animal Release Rituals in East Asia Barbara R. Ambros 17. Vegetarianism, Prohibited Meats, and Caring for Animals in Chinese Religious History Vincent Goossaert 18. The Difficult Virtue of Vegetarianism in Tibetan Buddhism Geoffrey Barstow 19. Veganism as Spiritual Practice Adrienne Krone 20. The Spiritual Practice of Providing Sanctuary for Animals Barbara Darling 21. Cow Care in Hindu Animal Ethics Kenneth R. Valpey 22. The Council of All Beings: A Deep Ecology Ritual Connecting People with Animals and the Natural World Eric D. Mortensen 23. Commemorating Animals in Asia, Europe, and the U.S.: Celebrating Kinship or Manifesting Difference? Barbara R. Ambros Part III: Religious Responses to Animal Lives 24. Contemplative Practices for Connecting to Animals (and Ourselves) Dave Aftandilian 25. Companion Animals Laura Hobgood 26. Domestication and Religion Nerissa Russell 27. The Ethics of Eating Animals: Jewish Responses Aaron S. Gross 28. Meditations on Living with Ghosts: The Settlement Legacy of Buffalo Extinction James Hatley 29. Urban Wildlife: Threats, Opportunities, and Religious Responses Seth B. Magle and Dave Aftandilian 30. The Connection We Share: Animal Spirituality and the Science of Sacred Encounters Barbara Smuts, Becca Franks, Monica Gagliano, and Christine Webb. About the Contributors Index

"[This] edited volume is an important achievement offering both detailed information and pedagogical insights. In addition, many of the volume's essays reflect that younger scholars are today contributing insights and suggestions...I commend this volume to not only every educator, but also every adult and parent, for these essays offer much that is relevant to daily life and our human communities’ inevitable connections with the rest of the Earth community. Through an engagement with this volume’s themes, each reader can increase greatly their ability to recognize the present state of affairs and also anticipate possible futures."- Paul Waldau, D. Phil., J.D. in Journal for the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture, Mar. 2026, https://doi.org/10.1558/jsrnc.32962.

Dave Aftandilian is Associate Professor of Anthropology, member of the leadership team for the Compassionate Awareness and Living Mindfully (CALM) Program, and founding Director of the Human-Animal Relationships (HARE) Program at Texas Christian University.Barbara R. Ambros is Professor of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.Aaron S. Gross is Professor of Religious Studies at the University of San Diego, a past president of the Society for Jewish Ethics, and the founder of the nonprofit organization Farm Forward.

• On Human Animal Being: An Opening Linda Hogan Introduction to Animals and Religion Aaron S. Gross, Dave Aftandilian, and Barbara R. Ambros Part I: Religion and Identity 1. L’nuwey Views of Animal Personhood and Their Implications Margaret Robinson 2. Animal Consciousness and Cognition Robert W. Mitchell and Mark A. Krause 3. Emotion Donovan O. Schaefer 4. Gender and Sexuality Katharine Mershon 5. Race, Animals, and a New Vision of the Beloved Community Christopher Carter 6. From Inspirational Beings to “Mad” Veg/ans: Tensions and Possibilities between Animal Studies and Disability Studies Alan Santinele Martino and Sarah May Lindsay 7. Human Beings and Animals: Same, Other, Indistinct? Matthew Calarco Part II: Religious Practices and Presence 8. Learning to Walk Softly: Intersecting Insect Lifeworlds in Everyday Buddhist Monastic Life Lina Verchery 9. An Islamic Case for Insect Ethics Sarra Tlili 10. Animal Theology Allison Covey 11. Blue Theology and Water Torah: People of Faith Caring for Marine Wildlife Dave Aftandilian 12. Animal Families in the Biblical Tradition Beth A. Berkowitz 13. The Cat Mitzvah: Jewish Literary Animals Andrea Dara Cooper 14. Blessings of Pets in Jewish and Christian Traditions Laura Hobgood 15. Becoming-Priceless through Sacrifice: A Goat for San Lázaro-Babalú Ayé Todd Ramón Ochoa 16. Refraining from Killing and Releasing Life? The Ethical Dilemmas of Animal Release Rituals in East Asia Barbara R. Ambros 17. Vegetarianism, Prohibited Meats, and Caring for Animals in Chinese Religious History Vincent Goossaert 18. The Difficult Virtue of Vegetarianism in Tibetan Buddhism Geoffrey Barstow 19. Veganism as Spiritual Practice Adrienne Krone 20. The Spiritual Practice of Providing Sanctuary for Animals Barbara Darling 21. Cow Care in Hindu Animal Ethics Kenneth R. Valpey 22. The Council of All Beings: A Deep Ecology Ritual Connecting People with Animals and the Natural World Eric D. Mortensen 23. Commemorating Animals in Asia, Europe, and the U.S.: Celebrating Kinship or Manifesting Difference? Barbara R. Ambros Part III: Religious Responses to Animal Lives 24. Contemplative Practices for Connecting to Animals (and Ourselves) Dave Aftandilian 25. Companion Animals Laura Hobgood 26. Domestication and Religion Nerissa Russell 27. The Ethics of Eating Animals: Jewish Responses Aaron S. Gross 28. Meditations on Living with Ghosts: The Settlement Legacy of Buffalo Extinction James Hatley 29. Urban Wildlife: Threats, Opportunities, and Religious Responses Seth B. Magle and Dave Aftandilian 30. The Connection We Share: Animal Spirituality and the Science of Sacred Encounters Barbara Smuts, Becca Franks, Monica Gagliano, and Christine Webb. About the Contributors Index

"[This] edited volume is an important achievement offering both detailed information and pedagogical insights. In addition, many of the volume's essays reflect that younger scholars are today contributing insights and suggestions...I commend this volume to not only every educator, but also every adult and parent, for these essays offer much that is relevant to daily life and our human communities’ inevitable connections with the rest of the Earth community. Through an engagement with this volume’s themes, each reader can increase greatly their ability to recognize the present state of affairs and also anticipate possible futures."- Paul Waldau, D. Phil., J.D. in Journal for the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture, Mar. 2026, https://doi.org/10.1558/jsrnc.32962.

Dave Aftandilian is Associate Professor of Anthropology, member of the leadership team for the Compassionate Awareness and Living Mindfully (CALM) Program, and founding Director of the Human-Animal Relationships (HARE) Program at Texas Christian University.Barbara R. Ambros is Professor of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.Aaron S. Gross is Professor of Religious Studies at the University of San Diego, a past president of the Society for Jewish Ethics, and the founder of the nonprofit organization Farm Forward.

• On Human Animal Being: An Opening Linda Hogan Introduction to Animals and Religion Aaron S. Gross, Dave Aftandilian, and Barbara R. Ambros Part I: Religion and Identity 1. L’nuwey Views of Animal Personhood and Their Implications Margaret Robinson 2. Animal Consciousness and Cognition Robert W. Mitchell and Mark A. Krause 3. Emotion Donovan O. Schaefer 4. Gender and Sexuality Katharine Mershon 5. Race, Animals, and a New Vision of the Beloved Community Christopher Carter 6. From Inspirational Beings to “Mad” Veg/ans: Tensions and Possibilities between Animal Studies and Disability Studies Alan Santinele Martino and Sarah May Lindsay 7. Human Beings and Animals: Same, Other, Indistinct? Matthew Calarco Part II: Religious Practices and Presence 8. Learning to Walk Softly: Intersecting Insect Lifeworlds in Everyday Buddhist Monastic Life Lina Verchery 9. An Islamic Case for Insect Ethics Sarra Tlili 10. Animal Theology Allison Covey 11. Blue Theology and Water Torah: People of Faith Caring for Marine Wildlife Dave Aftandilian 12. Animal Families in the Biblical Tradition Beth A. Berkowitz 13. The Cat Mitzvah: Jewish Literary Animals Andrea Dara Cooper 14. Blessings of Pets in Jewish and Christian Traditions Laura Hobgood 15. Becoming-Priceless through Sacrifice: A Goat for San Lázaro-Babalú Ayé Todd Ramón Ochoa 16. Refraining from Killing and Releasing Life? The Ethical Dilemmas of Animal Release Rituals in East Asia Barbara R. Ambros 17. Vegetarianism, Prohibited Meats, and Caring for Animals in Chinese Religious History Vincent Goossaert 18. The Difficult Virtue of Vegetarianism in Tibetan Buddhism Geoffrey Barstow 19. Veganism as Spiritual Practice Adrienne Krone 20. The Spiritual Practice of Providing Sanctuary for Animals Barbara Darling 21. Cow Care in Hindu Animal Ethics Kenneth R. Valpey 22. The Council of All Beings: A Deep Ecology Ritual Connecting People with Animals and the Natural World Eric D. Mortensen 23. Commemorating Animals in Asia, Europe, and the U.S.: Celebrating Kinship or Manifesting Difference? Barbara R. Ambros Part III: Religious Responses to Animal Lives 24. Contemplative Practices for Connecting to Animals (and Ourselves) Dave Aftandilian 25. Companion Animals Laura Hobgood 26. Domestication and Religion Nerissa Russell 27. The Ethics of Eating Animals: Jewish Responses Aaron S. Gross 28. Meditations on Living with Ghosts: The Settlement Legacy of Buffalo Extinction James Hatley 29. Urban Wildlife: Threats, Opportunities, and Religious Responses Seth B. Magle and Dave Aftandilian 30. The Connection We Share: Animal Spirituality and the Science of Sacred Encounters Barbara Smuts, Becca Franks, Monica Gagliano, and Christine Webb. About the Contributors Index

"[This] edited volume is an important achievement offering both detailed information and pedagogical insights. In addition, many of the volume's essays reflect that younger scholars are today contributing insights and suggestions...I commend this volume to not only every educator, but also every adult and parent, for these essays offer much that is relevant to daily life and our human communities’ inevitable connections with the rest of the Earth community. Through an engagement with this volume’s themes, each reader can increase greatly their ability to recognize the present state of affairs and also anticipate possible futures."- Paul Waldau, D. Phil., J.D. in Journal for the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture, Mar. 2026, https://doi.org/10.1558/jsrnc.32962.