How Ecology and Religion Effect One Another - Coursework Example

Ecology and Religion The purpose of this paper is to examine how ecology and religion effect one another. One specific aspect of ecology or environmentalism is animal friendly living, which is somewhat contradicted in the Bible. Understanding how individuals can contribute to the environment in animal friendly ways is crucial to environmentalism, but is not an element of Biblical living. Different ways in which environmentalism and religion may intersect or collide, will also be discussed. The book to be used for this examination of ecology and religion, is entitled Making Kind Choices: Everyday Ways to Enhance Your Life Through Earth and Animal Friendly Living by: Ingrid Newkirk. This book guides its reader through everyday life with an eco-friendly and animal -friendly outlook. It advises its readers on how to raise children in an environmentally sound way of life as well. The application of religion could potentially be applied to this type of lifestyle but the conflict arises in the arena of commitment to God. Particularly in Christianity, one’s devotion to God is of the utmost importance. This means that one should be concerned about one’s spiritual life and the promise of the eternal afterlife more so than the physical realm of this earth and its inhabitants and recourses. In the Old Testament, routine sacrificing of animals was imperative in keeping one’s God happy. This was a ritual that rid an individual of sin and evil deeds, before the eyes of God. Certainly, this made for a good disciple of God but was not an animal friendly approach to life by any means. One of the key aspects to environmentally friendly living, is respecting the creatures that live on this planet. That means humans as well as all animals. Through a religious perspective, God gave Adam and Eve dominion over all of the animals. This is often interpreted by Christians to mean that humans should feel free to eat animals, wear their skin and sacrifice them as burnt offerings if need be. There is a more eco-friendly interpretation of this that states that having dominion over animals just means that humans are to watch out for and care for the animals of the earth. But, as the Bible goes from Old Testament to New Testament, readers of the Bible are told that Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice and that animal sacrifices were no longer necessary. Most Christians though today, will freely eat meat and concern themselves with spirituality as opposed to the physical condition of the earth. The concept of Christianity is ultimately that one does their best on earth to please God and perform His will in order to attain the best possible place in heaven. This is opposite in a sense, to environmentalism. The concept of living as environmentally friendly as possible dictates that this earth and its resources are all we have. Once these recourses are depleted, there is nothing else for our children and grandchildren. It is almost a contradiction to embrace both beliefs simultaneously, unless someone is compelled to make a difference on earth regardless of whether it does them any good in heaven. Another important concept is that of the body itself. One of the selling points in environmentalism is the idea that through environmentally sound living, one improves one’s own personal health. Eating a vegetarian or vegan diet reduces the risk of heart disease, certain type of cancer and certainly obesity. In addition, eating organic fruits and vegetables means eating produce that has not been exposed to pesticides or other potentially harmful chemicals. The Bible tells it’s readers that the body is God’s “temple” and that it should be treated as such. This is often the reasoning behind a Christian’s drug free, alcohol free and smoke free life style. Oddly however, many Christians do not see a problem with consuming meat and dairy even though these are the sources of most of the saturated fat that are apart of unhealthy diets today. It would make sense to incorporate a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle into one’s diet if one were a Christian, if for no other reason than the belief that the body is God’s temple. It would also stand to reason that eating organic food when possible would prevent chemicals from entering into the body. This is not necessarily a big topic among religious individuals though. In discussing religion, it is important to discuss Christianity specifically as it encompasses so many denominations and includes a vast majority of individuals. The basis for Christianity is belief in the Bible and in Jesus Christ as the Messiah or son of God. It can be said that Jesus was a peace maker. It is arguable however, that neither the God of the old Testament nor Christ were entirely peace makers. The God of the Old Testament sent a flood to destroy the Earth in Genesis, as the earth had become “corrupt” and “sinful”. Later, God destroyed Sodom and Gomorra, because they were engaging in activities that God did not approve of. In fact, destroying people or places was common place for the god of the Old Testament. Jesus of the New Testament, was a peacemaker when it came to human beings in general, but he did consume meat. In fact, Jesus turned a small amount of food into a large amount of fish and bread for a multitude of his followers. This is an indication that perhaps he was not entirely environmentally friendly or concerned. As far as my own personal interest, as they pertain to religion and ecology, I am specifically concerned about the environment and the well being of its inhabitants. This includes people and animals. It is quite presumptuous to assume that we are the only ones on this earth that matter, by feeling free to mass produce meat for consumption. Certainly, animals can’t speak or tell us what their thoughts or needs are, but that may be what the God of the Old Testament meant when He announced that humans were to have dominion over animals. In other words, it is possible that what was meant was that since animals don’t have a voice of their own, that humans should be their voice and protect them. This means protecting their way of life and ability to coexist with humans on this planet. There is no justification, in my opinion, for humans to utilize the resources of this earth the way that we do. Even if someone is religious and chooses to focus their attention and good deeds on what is to come in the afterlife, there are still a lot of individuals who take the state of the earth very seriously. Many people are worried that this earth will not be equipped to facilitate the generations to come because of the horrible misuse and neglect inflicted on this planet by humans. I personally embrace that point of view. It would be ideal for people of all religions and denominations to work together with individuals who are concerned about the environment in order to harness and maintain a healthy earth for everyone. In looking at a few other written works that deal specifically with environmentalism as it applies or does not apply to religion, one critic depicts the God of the Bible as anything but concerned for the environment, “Im someone who has actually read the Bible and most other major religious works. While no doubt there are beautiful verses and passages that suggest peaceful and compassionate conduct consistent with a progressive environmental ethic, the god depicted in the Bible acts more often than not like a genocidal terrorist” (Scorse, 2006). Certainly, this is only one way of looking at the overall picture painted by the Bible, but it is not outrageous to see the actions of the Old Testament God as being a bit homicidal and irrational. It is also not an uncommon for people who are quite religious to feel that environmentalism is somewhat of a pagan religion in and of itself. One critic in particular has this to say, ”If it seems absurd that environmentalism is a religion that has inculcated itself into much of everyday life in America – nay – the developed world, then chances are you are ignoring the reality around you”(Ostrowski, 2008). This particular critic feels that Environmentalism is a religion which places the earth in the place of a deity. There is a line between being kind to the earth and its inhabitants and embracing the earth as a deity. Lie anything, there can be a balance between one’s religion and one’s duty to be kind to the earth. It is curious that there even exists a separation between religion and environmentalism as according to the Bible, it was God who created the earth in Genesis chapter 1. It would only make sense for individuals who embrace the teachings of the Bible to also embrace the creation of the God of the Bible and care for it. One particular; Washington D.C based organization, Worldwatch, is committed to bringing the concepts of spirituality and religion together with environmentalism, This collaboration could change the world, " says author Gary Gardner, Worldwatch Research Director. "These groups have different but complementary strengths. Environmentalists have a strong grounding in science. Religious institutions enjoy moral authority and a grassroots presence that shape the worldviews and lifestyles of billions of people. It’s a powerful combination that until recently remained virtually unexplored."(Worldwatch, 2002). The perspective shed on religion and environmentalism as a synergy, as done by Worldwatch, is perhaps the most effective possible approach. There is no reason why individuals who consider themselves religious, should be intimidated by or opposed to the idea of environmentalism and animal friendly living. There has been an ongoing controversy within the right wing conservative-religious circle involving the idea of global warming. Even though there is mounting evidence from scientists across the planet substantiating the impact of global warming, many Christian organizations are directly opposed to believing that global warming is in fact taking place. In fact, it is not unusual to here allegations from Christians that global warming is simply a part of some higher conspiracy at a government level. The details of global warming and the controversy surrounding it is detailed in a book called An Inconvenient truth by former Vice President Al Gore. Through this book, Gore provides empirical evidence for the global damage caused by human actions leading to global warming. In conclusion, it stands to reason that both religion and environmentally friendly living both involve principles worth applying to daily life, if only brought together in some way. It is more of a matter of individuals who embrace religion as a primary lifestyle, to embrace the benefits of living in an earth- and animal- friendly way. Truly, the humanity of religion and faith coupled with the conservation of natural recourses and earthly inhabitants would make this planet a better place for everyone. Works Cited: Gore, Al (2006) An Inconvenient Truth, Rodale Books, New York Newkirk, Ingrid. (2005) Making Kind Choices: Everyday Ways to Enhance Your Life Through Earth- and Animal- Friendly Living, St. Martin’s Press, New York Scorse, Jason. (2006) Religion and Environmentalism: A Skeptic’s View, Gristmill, retrieved May4, 2008 from website at: http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2006/10/15/185447/60 Ostrowski, John. (2008) Environmentalism as Religion, retrieved May4, 2008 from website at: http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig8/ostrowski-john1.html Worldwatch. (2002) A Little Religion Gives Environmentalism New Fervor, retrieved May 4, 2008 from website at: http://www.worldwatch.org/node/826 Read More