Religion in general: Religion and Environmentalism

Fizzle · 11-Dec-2009, 02:13 PM (14:13)

I don't get it. Aside from the fact that "religion" covers a lot of disparate ground, when have you heard, for example, "Thou Shalt Not Exploit The Animals"? (obviously, I'm talking about the Abes here). I remember some passages about dressing and keeping the Garden Of Eden, but at the same time we're told that we have dominion over every creature on the planet. The first is vague, and the second is clearly not about caring for the animals' sake.

Some (or all, I don't know) of the Eastern religions seem to throw fits when you kill a fly, but then again Planet Earth: The Future documents Buddhists that killed animals for fur in clothing. The filmmakers use this example since, after he was asked, the Dalai Lama requested that they stop. They stopped, and were praised. But isn't that missing the point anyway? It shouldn't be because you're told to do it by an authority or threatened to go to hell for not doing it. It should be because it's the understandably right thing to do. Sure, it worked, but "just because" is hardly a good reason nor do I think that it would lead to a change that actually matters.

Gurdur · 11-Dec-2009, 06:04 PM (18:04)

Basically, Christian enviromentalists like to base their theology on "stewardship of the Earth" as supposedly given in Genesis.

Makbawehuh · 13-Dec-2009, 04:00 PM (16:00)

Pretty much, Gurdur.

When it comes down to any religion save for (possibly) some of the Neopagan ones and maybe some more obscure religions that I haven't had the time to study, the focus is on taking care of the humans... If there's stewardship of the earth involved, it's not caring for Gaia for Gaia's sake, it's about caring for the earth for people's sake. As you pointed out.

Selfish, perhaps, but most people are.

Gurdur · 13-Dec-2009, 05:05 PM (17:05)

There has to be a selling point somewhere. But yeah, I am in broad agreement with you, especially as I am a rather hardline enviromentalist.

Makbawehuh · 13-Dec-2009, 05:37 PM (17:37)

The selling point is "If you do it, you might not go to Hell." >.<

11-Dec-2009, 02:13 PM (14:13)	1 34858
Fizzle Moderator Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: R'lyeh Posts: 1,308 Blog Entries: 23	Religion and Environmentalism I don't get it. Aside from the fact that "religion" covers a lot of disparate ground, when have you heard, for example, "Thou Shalt Not Exploit The Animals"? (obviously, I'm talking about the Abes here). I remember some passages about dressing and keeping the Garden Of Eden, but at the same time we're told that we have dominion over every creature on the planet. The first is vague, and the second is clearly not about caring for the animals' sake. Some (or all, I don't know) of the Eastern religions seem to throw fits when you kill a fly, but then again Planet Earth: The Future documents Buddhists that killed animals for fur in clothing. The filmmakers use this example since, after he was asked, the Dalai Lama requested that they stop. They stopped, and were praised. But isn't that missing the point anyway? It shouldn't be because you're told to do it by an authority or threatened to go to hell for not doing it. It should be because it's the understandably right thing to do. Sure, it worked, but "just because" is hardly a good reason nor do I think that it would lead to a change that actually matters. __________________ "Let the world know that the current administration in Puerto Rico denies liberty of press. Let the world know that average citizens cannot enter their own legislative sessions. Let the world know that they cannot protest peacefully without taking a shot of pepper spray or a blow to the head. LET THE WORLD KNOW."

13-Dec-2009, 04:00 PM (16:00)	3 34873
Makbawehuh Rockin' Chaotic Evil Like No One Else! Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The darkest corners of your imagination. Or maybe right next to you. I'm not telling! Posts: 2,486 Blog Entries: 67	Pretty much, Gurdur. When it comes down to any religion save for (possibly) some of the Neopagan ones and maybe some more obscure religions that I haven't had the time to study, the focus is on taking care of the humans... If there's stewardship of the earth involved, it's not caring for Gaia for Gaia's sake, it's about caring for the earth for people's sake. As you pointed out. Selfish, perhaps, but most people are. __________________ "I am going to conquer the planes in the unholy Name of My Divine Self! All living things shall bow to Me!" sneezes "....Did any of you demonic henchmen happen to bring a handkerchief to the battlefield? No? Damnit to Hell..." ~M'aku Heilu-Saul

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11-Dec-2009, 06:04 PM (18:04)	2 34860
Gurdur Very professional Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 4,316 Blog Entries: 186	Basically, Christian enviromentalists like to base their theology on "stewardship of the Earth" as supposedly given in Genesis.

13-Dec-2009, 05:05 PM (17:05)	4 34877
Gurdur Very professional Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 4,316 Blog Entries: 186	There has to be a selling point somewhere. But yeah, I am in broad agreement with you, especially as I am a rather hardline enviromentalist.

13-Dec-2009, 05:37 PM (17:37)	5 34880
Makbawehuh Rockin' Chaotic Evil Like No One Else! Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The darkest corners of your imagination. Or maybe right next to you. I'm not telling! Posts: 2,486 Blog Entries: 67	The selling point is "If you do it, you might not go to Hell." >.<