Religious History of Animal Welfare Comes to Life in HSUS Video Series

In celebration of the season of St. Francis, The Humane Society of the United States announces a video series : “Living Legacy:  Faith Voices on Animal Protection.” In this series, three modern-day faith leaders discuss three historical figures whose contributions to animal welfare stemmed directly from their religious convictions. “William Wilberforce, C.S. Lewis and Hannah […]

In celebration of the season of St. Francis, The Humane Society of the United States announces a video series : “Living Legacy:  Faith Voices on Animal Protection.”

In this series, three modern-day faith leaders discuss three historical figures whose contributions to animal welfare stemmed directly from their religious convictions.

William Wilberforce, C.S. Lewis and Hannah More come to life in these interviews, “ said Christine Gutleben, senior director of Faith Outreach for The HSUS. “We learn about their life-long concern for animals from experts who emulate their activism today.”


Eric Metaxas, author of Amazing Grace and host of New York City’s, Socrates in the City, begins the series with a discussion of William Wilberforce, an early-19th century English Parliamentarian best known for his heroic efforts to end slavery.  “For Wilberforce, animal activism came out of his faith,” says Metaxas. “He said it was wrong and cruel and ultimately something that coarsens human beings.”

C.S. Lewis is discussed by Dr. Jerry Root, Associate Professor at Wheaton College; Director of the Wheaton Evangelism Initiative; Director of the Billy Graham Center for Evangelism and C. S. Lewis Scholar.  Lewis was a 20th century academic and the author of several popular books, including the beloved Narnia series of children’s stories.  Root says that “God makes us with a purpose and one of those great purposes is that we take care of the world that’s before us and be concerned for the animals.  Lewis is very explicit about that.”

A discussion of Hannah More, a 19th century evangelical and social reformer, features Dr. Karen Swallow Prior, professor of English at Liberty University and author of Fierce Convictions: The Extraordinary Life of Hannah More.  In these videos Prior tells us that, “The animal welfare movement actually began with evangelical Christians including Hannah More.”

Viewers are also invited to get involved with animal protection issues by signing up to become an HSUS faith ally.

About HSUS Faith Outreach: The HSUS Faith Outreach program, a division of HSUS Outreach & Engagement, engages faith communities in animal protection issues on the premise that religious values call upon us to act in a kind and merciful way towards all creatures. The program offers ideas for community ministry through the Fill the Bowl Project, a pet food collection toolkit to help families with pets and animal shelters in need; Eating Mercifully, our compelling documentary on factory-farming issues, and Humane Backyard, offering ideas for outdoor projects to celebrate God’s creation.  Visit www.humanesociety.org/faith

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