Animal theologian wins top honour

[rug]

Posted: Thursday, November 3, 2011 8:17 pm

Oxford animal theologian Professor Andrew Linzey has been awarded a top university honour for his pioneering work.

The University of Winchester is to recognise Professor Linzey with an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree in recognition of his work in animal theology in a graduation ceremony on 9 November.

Professor Linzey, who is Director of the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics, said: "I am delighted to accept this award on behalf of my colleagues at the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics, who are in the forefront of pioneering this subject internationally.”

“Animal ethics is now an emerging discipline with scores of university courses world-wide, and this is a tremendous boost to those working in this field.”

http://www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=19239

Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics:

http://www.oxfordanimalethics.com/home/

[TygrBright]

1. Animal ethicist, please. "Animal theologian" makes me expect to see a dog in a chausuble...

...explaining the nuances of homoosios vs. homoiousios...

amusedly,
Bright

[rug]

3. The essence of an ethicist and a theoligian is not the same.

:)

[dtexdem]

4. Well, "animal ethicist" makes me expect a cat explaining why we should all do what it wants.

;-)

[dtexdem]

2. What type of animal is he?

I hope not a badger. We're badgered enough by theologians as it is. ;-)

[rug]

5. Saint Bernard.

[azurnoir]

6. darn and here I hoping I'd found an exorcist for one of cats n/t

[rug]

7. The cat would win.

[azurnoir]

8. Lol maybe but I can always hope n/t

[laconicsax]

9. Animal theology?

:rofl:

[NMMNG]

10. What exactly does an "animal theologian" do?

:shrug:

[rug]

11. This is how they describe their ethics.

is inspired by the work of ethicists and philosophers who have pioneered new perspectives on animals;

is informed by scientific work indicating that animals are sentient and possess complex systems of awareness;

seeks to relate these insights to how we treat animals today;

questions the ‘old view’ of animals as simply things, machines, tools, commodities, or resources, put here for our use, and

holds that all sentient beings have intrinsic value and should be treated with respect.

http://www.oxfordanimalethics.com/about-the-centre/animal-ethics/

While it doesn't mention theology per se, and knowing very little about this subject, I imagine the honoree contemplates these ethics in the context of a creator and a creature, much like conventional theology contemplates humans in the context of a creator and a creature.

Here's more info about Linzey:

http://www.oxfordanimalethics.com/who-we-are/director/

This is a description of his book, "Animal Theology":

"The most comprehensive treatment of the status of animals from a theological perspective. Argues, inter alia, that human dominion over animals ‘needs to take as its model the Christ-given paradigm of lordship manifest in service’."

[laconicsax]

15. In other words...

Finding that reality contradicts the elaborate fantasies that were previously taken for granted, animal theologians try to further rationalize and justify their incorrect beliefs.

[Name removed]

17. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[skepticscott]

12. Admit it

you go this off The Onion...

[rug]

13. There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,

Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.

[laconicsax]

18. In other words, reality is far more detailed and fascinating than imagined.

[rug]

19. As you like it

And this, our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything.

[onager]

14. I'll be impressed when he theologizes these guys...

[AnnieBW]

16. I have three cats that KNOW that they are Gods

Well, two Gods and one Goddess. :D