Read a Sept. 20, 2011, article from Christianity Today about a Lutheran pastor’s claims that he is in possession of a “miracle cure” capable of healing any disease.

Read a May 25, 2013, article from The Huffington Post about an Ohio family who believes they saw a Virgin Mary apparition.

Read a July 5, 2013, article from the Associated Press about the clearing of two former popes to become saints. Pope John Paul II was canonized as a result of a medical miracle in Costa Rica.

Read an Oct. 19, 2012, article from the Catholic News Service about a woman who believes a miracle cured her disease.

An ABCNews/Beliefnet poll conducted in 2001 found that 43 percent of people believe that pets go to heaven. Slightly fewer – 41 percent – said all animals, not just pets, go to heaven.

Pollingreport.com posts results of surveys about animals, including a May 2008 Gallup Poll which found that 97 percent of Americans support some rights for animals but that 64 percent reject a ban on all animal testing in laboratories. Sentiment about buying and wearing animal fur has shifted slightly in recent years, according to Gallup, but a […]

The Humane Society of the United States Faith Outreach program engages people and institutions of faith with animal protection issues, on the premise that religious values call upon us all to act in a kind and merciful way towards all creatures. The program provides information on the major religion’s statements about animals, as well as educational materials for different ages […]

Sharon Soneff is an artist and blogger and the co-author of Faith Books and Spiritual Journaling: Expressions of Faith Through Art. She lives in San Clemente, Calif.

Banafsheh Sayyad is a dancer and choreographer, performing contemporary mystical Persian dance. Sayyad has said that she approaches dance as prayer. She is based in San Diego.