All of the world's major faiths have, as integral parts of their laws and traditions, teachings requiring protection of the environment, respect for nature and wildlife, and kindness to animals. While such tenets are well-known in such Eastern religions as Buddhism and Hinduism, there is also a largely-forgotten but strong tradition of such teachings in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. All of these faiths recognize a doctrine of their deity's love for creation and for all of the living creatures of the world. The obligation of humans to respect and protect the natural environment and other life forms appears throughout the sacred writings of the prophets and leaders of the world's great religions.

These tenets of "environmental theology" contained in the world's religions are infrequently observed or practiced, but many theologians feel that they are more relevant today than ever. At a time...