This book explores the religious language of Nonconformity used in ethical debates about
animals. It uncovers a rich stream of innovative discourse from the Puritans of the seventeenth
century through the Clapham Sect and Evangelical Revival to the nineteenth century debates
about vivisection. This discourse contributed to law reform and the foundation of the RSPCA
and continues to flavour the way we talk about animal welfare and animal rights today. Shaped
by the nonconformist conscience it has been largely overlooked. The more common perception is
that Christian ¿dominion¿ authorises the human exploitation of animals while Enlightenment
humanism and Darwinian thought are seen as drawing humans and animals together in one family.
This book challenges that perception and proposes an alternative perspective. Through
exploring the shaping of animal advocacy discourses by Biblical themes of creation fall and
restoration this book reveals the continuing importance of the nonconformist conscience as a
source to enrich animal ethics today. It will appeal to the animal studies community
theologians and early modern historians.
