Do we have a spiritual responsibility to help the environment? No matter your faith, is there a moral obligation stated in the scripture to live sustainability and pursue environmental justice? Religions believe, naturally, that their God did create the world for us and while we’ve already managed to evict ourselves from Eden, are we also ignoring our role in this world as stewards of the earth. After all, of all God’s creature, humans are the one with the power to disrupt Creation.
GreenFaith Fellowship, an interfaith organization, believes so, and has developed environmental training programs based on diverse traditions of every faith. Citing the scriptures of major world religions, GreenFaith translates environmentalism into a religious value and makes environmental stewardship a moral responsibility.
And for every faith, there is a reference to environmental stewardship:
Lutheran theologians, Joseph Stitler and H. Paul Santmire, wrote in Caring for Creation: Vision, Hope and Justice: “Christian concern for the environment is shaped by the Word of God spoken in creation, the Love of God hanging on a cross, the Breath of God daily renewing the face of the earth.”
The Atharva Veda states: “Let there be peace in the heavens, the Earth, the atmosphere, the water, the herbs, the vegetation, among the divine beings and in Brahman, the absolute reality. Let everything be at peace and in peace. Only then will we find peace.”
And in the Torah, wasting resources violates the mitzvah of Bal Taschit, “Do not destroy.”
His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Omar Naseef reminds Muslims that they are “Allah’s stewards and agents on Earth.” Continuing, he says: “We are not masters of this Earth; it does not belong to us to do what we wish. It belongs to Allah and He has entrusted us with its safekeeping.”
In Buddhist teachings, the Reverence for Life by Thich Nhat Hanh pledges: “Aware of the suffering caused by the destruction of life, I undertake to cultivate compassion and learn ways to protect the lives of people, animals, plants, and minerals. I am determined not to kill, not to let others kill, and not to condone any act of killing in the world, in my thinking, and in my way of life.”
GreenFaith Fellowship has a mission “to inspire, educate and mobilize people of diverse religious backgrounds for environmental leadership.” Citing the scriptures of major world religions, GreenFaith translates environmentalism into a religious value citing that environmental stewardship is a moral responsibility.
The three core values of the organization are Spirit for which leaders are trained to lead environmentally-themed worship to strengthen members’ connection with the earth; Stewardship which teaches that consumption habits can play a key role in restoring the earth; and Justice which encompasses the social justice belief that ALL people, regardless of race and income, deserve a healthy environment.
No matter where your pew is located, perhaps it’s time to take a spiritual look at our responsibility to the environment. For living green tips and ideas, make sure to visit Green Earth News Green Is Grand section.
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