Community Peace and Justice - from a Faith Perspective
March 16, 6:00 pm
The Religious Nature of Environmental Concerns
Some scientists and religious leaders have referred to the “environmental crisis” as being “inherently religious”. In what ways do the Abrahamic faiths inform our attitudes and actions regarding caring for our common home? We will explore a variety of Scripture and theological perspectives.
Notes
As background for this session, we encourage you to download and read Loving the Least of These – Addressing a Changing Environment, a study guide prepared by the National Association of Evangelicals (see Readings). Another helpful resource is an interview by Bill Moyers of Climate Scientist, Katharine Hayhoe, an evangelical whose husband is the pastor of an evangelical church in Texas (see Videos).
An excellent overview from the National Association of Evangelicals. “We are called as children of God to seek justice and care for the earth that God has given us. Degrading the environment, polluting air and water, and misusing valuable resources are obvious ways in which we Christians fall far short of God’s commands. But now we are confronted by the fact that we are
altering Earth’s climate by our own activities, a situation that generates a set of complex moral and ethical questions. I am encouraged that the evangelical church has begun serious discussion of the climate issues, including calls to
reconsider our profligate use of the global environment. I hope and pray that its voice will become increasingly clear on these issues.
Thomas Ackerman, Professor of Atmospheric Sciences, Director of the Joint Institute for the Study of the Atmosphere and Ocean, University of Washington. Download PDF Copy or visit website.
altering Earth’s climate by our own activities, a situation that generates a set of complex moral and ethical questions. I am encouraged that the evangelical church has begun serious discussion of the climate issues, including calls to
reconsider our profligate use of the global environment. I hope and pray that its voice will become increasingly clear on these issues.
Thomas Ackerman, Professor of Atmospheric Sciences, Director of the Joint Institute for the Study of the Atmosphere and Ocean, University of Washington. Download PDF Copy or visit website.
Katharine Hayhoe Interview on Christian Broadcasting Network – Hayhoe and her husband, Andrew Farley, an evangelical church pastor discuss climate change. Click on image to access YouTube video.
Climate Change: Faith and Fact Sep 12, 2014 … Christian and climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe talks to Bill Moyers about ending the gridlock between politics, science and faith.
“Operation Noah is an ecumenical Christian charity providing leadership, focus and inspiration in response to the growing threat of catastrophic climate change endangering God’s creation. We are an inclusive group of committed Christians from across the UK. Our trustees, staff and supporters are cross-denominational and include members of the Catholic, Anglican and free churches. We work closely with like-minded individuals and organisations who share our vision.” Many good resources including: ‘Climate change and the purposes of God’ theology resources – with papers on selected Biblical themes.
Religious Statements on Climate Change – published by Interfaith Power and Light. “Most religious communities have released statements on Climate Change and the need to care for Creation. The following list (organized alphabetically first by religion, then by denomination) demonstrates the unity within the religious community on these important issues.” From the IPL Homepage you can find many resources for churches.
Pope Francis’ encyclical on responding to climate change released June 2015, You can chose between the online version or download a PDF copy.
“The most significant feature of Pope Francis’ encyclical on environmentalism, “Laudato Si,’” is not about climate change. It is that the document represents a sea change in Catholic — indeed, Western religious — thinking on the relationship between human beings and the earth.”Religion News Service” – June 19, 2015
Interfaith Declaration on Climate Change
The nurturing and respect for Life is a central doctrine of all faiths on Earth. Yet today we are endangering life on Earth with unacceptably high and rising levels of greenhouse gas emissions. These gases are destabilizing the global climate system, heating the Earth, acidifying the oceans, and putting both humanity and all living creatures at unacceptable risk. International and multi-faith,
The nurturing and respect for Life is a central doctrine of all faiths on Earth. Yet today we are endangering life on Earth with unacceptably high and rising levels of greenhouse gas emissions. These gases are destabilizing the global climate system, heating the Earth, acidifying the oceans, and putting both humanity and all living creatures at unacceptable risk. International and multi-faith,
Jesus is Coming, Plant A Tree -by N T Wright “The question of how you think about the ultimate future has an obvious direct impact on how you think about the task of the church in the present time.” . . . “We are assured, by the words of Paul and by Jesus’ resurrection as the launch of that new creation, that the work we do is not in vain. That says it all. That is the mandate we need for every act of justice and mercy, every program of ecology, every effort to reflect God’s wise stewardly image into his creation.”
N T Wright is a leading British New Testament scholar and retired Anglican bishop. He is now Research Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at the University of St Andrews in Scotland.
The Forum on Religion and Ecology at Yale The Forum on Religion and Ecology is the largest international multireligious project of its kind. With its conferences, publications, and website it is engaged in exploring religious worldviews, texts, and ethics in order to broaden understanding of the complex nature of current environmental concerns. The Forum recognizes that religions need to be in dialogue with other disciplines (e.g., science, ethics, economics, education, public policy, gender) in seeking comprehensive solutions to both global and local environmental problems. (click on image to open)
Please check back soon for more resources and comments.
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