Religions and the Environment
The Belonging Group at church has been discussing the environment and Chrsitianity, After doing some reading, we decided that we had no choice in whether to be part of the solution as God called us to be caretakers of His world.
How did we come to this conclusion? Well, some of the Bible excerpts were quite clear. For instance, in Job (12:7–10): “But ask the animals, and they will teach you; the birds of the air, and they will tell you; ask the plants of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of every human being.”
Then in Genesis (2:15): “And the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to do work in it and take care of it.”
We then looked at what some other Christian churches were thinking.
Pope John Paul
On 1 Jan 1990 Pope John Paul said: "Christians, in particular, realise that their responsibility within creation and their duty towards nature and the Creator are an essential part of their faith."
Anglican Synod 2007“There was unanimous support for all parishes in the Sydney diocese to implement an environmental policy to reduce the carbon footprint and a call on governments at all levels to take the issue of climate change seriously.”
Uniting Church
Maroubra Junction Uniting Church has switched to GreenPower, is installing a grey water treatment system, is involved in car sharing and community gardening, and runs an “eco-mowing” service for the local community.
Looking further
So do other religions have enironmental beliefs? Definitely YES.
The Dalai Lama
In 1992, the Dalai Lama spoke at the global Earth Summit in Brazil.
“I believe that to meet the challenge of our times, human beings will have to develop a greater sense of universal responsibility. Each of us must learn to work not just for his or her own sake, family or nation, but for the benefit of all mankind. Universal responsibility is the real key to human survival. It is the best foundation for world peace, the equitable use of natural resources and, through concern for future generations, the proper care of the environment.”
Buddism
“Out of a concern for the total living environment, Buddhist environmentalists extend loving-kindness and compassion beyond people and animals to include plants and the earth itself.”
In the view of the Thai monk, Buddhadasa Bhikkhu, “The entire cosmos is a cooperative. The sun, the moon, and the stars live together as a cooperative. The same is true for humans and animals, trees, and the earth. When we realize that the world is a mutual, interdependent, cooperative enterprise . . . then we can build a noble environment.”
Islam
“Assuredly the creation of the heavens and the earth is greater than the creation of humankind; yet most people understand not.” (Koran as quoted in This Sacred Earth, edited by Roger Gottlieb)
‘If a Muslim plants a tree or sows a field and men and beasts and birds eat from it, all of it is charity on his part,' and again, 'The world is green and beautiful and God appointed you his stewards over it'; environment consciousness is born when such values are adopted and become an intrinsic part of our mental and physical make up. (Dr. Abdullah Omar Nasserf)
Hinduism
Hindus believe that the earth is a manifestation of the goddess (Devi) and that she must be treated with respect; that simple living might serve as a model for the development of sustainable economies; and that the concept of Dharma can be reinterpreted from an earth-friendly perspective.
Harvard
Harvard hosted a three year series on “Religions of the World and Ecology”. Their site states: “Clearly religions need to be involved with the development of a more comprehensive worldview and ethics to assist in reversing this environmental crisis.”
Your religion?
How does the environment rate in your religion?
Until next month…
Useful Websites
http://www.tibet.com/Eco/dleco4.html
http://www.gipl.org/pdf/Green_Sabbath/ReligiousQuotationsOnEnvironment.pdf
http://environment.harvard.edu/religion/religion/index.html
http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2007/s2038372.htm
http://nsw.uca.org.au/news/2007/green-discipleship_08-10-07.htm
