This is an open-comment theology blog where I will post various theological musings, mostly in sermon or essay form, for others to read and comment on. If what I say here interests you, you may want to check out some of my books. Feel free to criticize, to critique, to comment, but keep comments to the point and respectful. Many of these posts have been published elsewhere, but I wanted them collected and made available to a wider audience.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Environmentalism & The Combat Myth
Part of the problem environmentalism has faced is it's close association with secularism. There is no over-riding religious narrative and that is a problem. The truth is that the language of sin and satan would do well to motivate people to action. Religion is power people, it is the power of God made manifest in the human condition. It is intended for good but easily corrupted to evil. To recognize the evil and leave it alone because of that is short-sighted and self-defeating. This is the essence of Alfred N Whitehead's project: to tap into the spiritual power of the moral experience.
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If Environmentalism is linked with secularism it is because religious leaders who embraced it, were cast out. It is not the Environmentalists' fault that happened. The same happened with anti-war and anti-death penalty causes. Look at the religious leaders involved in those. They are considered on the fringe, outside of the fold or damned close to the fence. Suspect in their faith and their behavior.
ReplyDeleteThis is not the fault of Environmentalism. We have gone where we could find allies. Now that so many main stream religious organizations are steeped in the tenets of Denialism, there seems little use or point in trying to win them over. We likely have to wait them out and turn instead to the youth to convince them there is a way to be a Christian, practicing and true and also care for how we treat the Good Earth.