Religion and Animal Rights

Within this topic candidates should be familiar with the key teachings from the religion(s) studied and should be aware of how religious leaders and other faith members have interpreted these teachings and applied them to life in society today.

• religious beliefs about the status of animals;
• the extent to which animals are different from humans and their relative value;
• religious views on animal rights and the means of protecting those rights;
• religious responses to the preservation of species from extinction;
• the contemporary use and abuse of animals including:
• companionship, e.g. pets, guide dogs,
• animals in sport,
• transport and work,
• animal experiments,
• farming of animals (including free range and factory farming),
• zoos,
• hunting,
• bull fighting,
• the fur and ivory trade,
• genetic modification and cloning of animals,
• treatment of wildlife;
• issues concerning the slaughter of animals, meat, vegetarian and vegan diets.