To the Editor:

All the major religions of the world have taught conservation, respect for nature and the environment and kindness to animals. They all have at least some tradition recognizing a doctrine of God’s love for all the creatures of the world. The obligation of humans to respect and protect the natural environment appears throughout the Bible and the writings of the prophets and leaders of these great religions.

Many Christians see deep significance in the story of Jesus – beginning his life among animals; denied shelter and lodging by the humans of Bethlehem; Jesus’ parents, Mary and Joseph, were forced to use a manger for Jesus’ birthplace. There, Jesus was born, many say, in the company of such animals as donkeys, oxen, cows, sheep, goats and other creatures. Turned away by humans, the only companionship the holy family could find on the first Christmas Eve was that of animals. Jesus’ frequent references to animals and nature confirmed his awareness on this theme, and he often represented animals as being under God’s providence.