Who were these guys? Apparently quite a few people in Hollywood and the music industry were members throughout the 60's and 70's. The Church reformed into the Best Friends Animal Society in 1993, and is based out of Kanab, Utah.
There is a reddit Q&A with the BFAS co-founder Francis Battista(1). One of the Questions asked was the following:
>I love the work Best Friends does. One thing I'm really curious about - I've read that a religious group was involved with the founding of BF. Can you tell me the story of how religion played a part (if any) in the beginnings of your organization? Thank you for all that you do.
To which Francis responded with:
>Best Friends was founded by a group of friends who were part of a non-denominational religious group that adhered to the belief that a spiritual life is expressed through kindness. Especially through kindness to those in need. The animals are the members of our wider community that are most in need of our kindness and compassion, so care for animals was always a part of our ethic. We began in the realm of anti-vivisection but gradually migrated to shelter rescue.
Sounds like a pretty evasive answer. What gives?
Sources:
(1): https://www.reddit.com/r/promos/comments/1k0zit/i_am_best_friends_animal_society_cofounder/
There is a reddit Q&A with the BFAS co-founder Francis Battista(1). One of the Questions asked was the following:
>I love the work Best Friends does. One thing I'm really curious about - I've read that a religious group was involved with the founding of BF. Can you tell me the story of how religion played a part (if any) in the beginnings of your organization? Thank you for all that you do.
To which Francis responded with:
>Best Friends was founded by a group of friends who were part of a non-denominational religious group that adhered to the belief that a spiritual life is expressed through kindness. Especially through kindness to those in need. The animals are the members of our wider community that are most in need of our kindness and compassion, so care for animals was always a part of our ethic. We began in the realm of anti-vivisection but gradually migrated to shelter rescue.
Sounds like a pretty evasive answer. What gives?
Sources:
(1): https://www.reddit.com/r/promos/comments/1k0zit/i_am_best_friends_animal_society_cofounder/