Showing sensitivity towards animals

At a recent Agricultural Congress, Environment Minister Steffi Lemke and Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir (both from the Bündnis 90/Green Party) recently advocated taking a joint approach and making a new start. "After all, only by working together can we achieve more for the environment," the two ministers stressed. "The time is ripe to finally bring agriculture, nature, environment and climate protection together." Good intentions indeed - which, in times of factory farming, environmental disasters and species becoming extinct, are overdue. In this guest commentary, Arnulf von Scheliha, Professor of Protestant Theology, takes a look at the issue of animal welfare from a theological, ethical and philosophical perspective. A growing sensitivity regarding questions of animal welfare, animal protection and animal ethics is reflected in current discussions within the major religious communities. The focus is on pets, livestock farming and questions of food. Animals are shown respect as "fellow creatures", and we know we have a duty to feel solidarity with them for their own sakes.