Ethical Ecology: Religion and Conservation

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Ethical Ecology Religion and Conservation

• Jordan Hanson
• Melissa Mac Neil
• Philosophy 2500.001

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Declarations on Nature

• Five Participating Religions
• Buddhism ?
• Christianity ?
• Hinduism ?
• Islam ?
• Judaism ?

• September 1986
• Assisi, Italy- Basilica of St. Francis
• Religious leaders agreed that it was their
  responsibility to encourage the conservation of
  nature.

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Windsor Summit- 1995

• Network on Conservation and Religion gathered in
  England to follow up on the Assisi meeting. By
  this time four other religions had joined the
  alliance.

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Alliance of Religions and Conservation

• Bahai
• Daoism
• Jainism
• Sikhism
• Shintoism
• Zoroastrianism

• At the Windsor Summit, Prince Phillip, the
  director of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF),
  created an independent organization called the
  Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC). Two
  more religions joined the alliance in November of
  2000.

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Buddhism

• Non-humans experience suffering as well as humans
• All species have the right for survival.
• All beings are connected
• Respect for life
• Simplicity and moderation

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Christianity

• Reverence for Gods creation
• All beings manifest Gods beauty and love
• Every act of irresponsibility toward creatures
  is an abomination.

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Hinduism

• The divine expresses itself through natural
  phenomena
• Life is sacred
• Simple living
• Inner peace
• Nature and animals are all bound together
• We are the Children of the earth

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Islam

• The earth belongs to Allah because he keeps it in
  harmony
• Humans are guardians, not masters of the earth
• Avoid waste
• Unity between humanity and nature
• Laws governing conservation are outlined in the
  Shariah

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Judaism

• Man is the leader and custodian of the natural
  world
• Six years shall you sow your field, and six years
  shall you prune your vineyard, and gather in the
  produce thereof. But in the seventh year shall be
  a Sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a Sabbath
  unto the Lord you shall neither sow your field
  nor prune your vineyard. (Leviticus 251-5)
• Responsibility to defend life against the sins of
  ourselves and others
• Preserve Natural Balance
• No wasteful destruction

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Bahai

• Nature reflects god
• All things are interconnected
• Science and technology should help humans live in
  harmony with nature

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Daoism

• Humans should obey the earth- allow things to
  grow in their own way
• Harmony with nature- treat it well and learn from
  it
• If the pursuit of development runs counter to the
  harmony of nature people should refrain from
  becoming too successful
• Judge affluence by bio-diversity

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Jainism

• Avoid causing harm or intending to cause harm
• Compassion toward all life
• All of nature is interdependent
• Do not waste the gifts of nature

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Shintoism

• Reverence for spirits present in animals, plants,
  and even stones
• Deep debt to blessings of nature
• Japanese livelihood depends on agriculture
  therefore conservation is important
• Tree groves are a place for worship and deities

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Sikhism

• Barren earth represents spiritual emptiness
• Mastery of self rather than mastery of nature
• Equality between men and women
• Water is a primary link between humans and nature
  so it is conserved

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Zoroastrianism

• Do not bathe or walk in a river so the water will
  not become polluted
• Endorses care of seven creations- sky, water,
  earth, plant, animal, human, fire
• Humans are assistants of god- the must restore
  harmony to a world broken by evil

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Why did religion become involved in WWF
conservation efforts?

• Many religious teachings mandate protection of
  the earth and living things.
• Religion is perceived as a moral institution and
  many people base their personal ethical standards
  on what they learn from religious leaders.
• Religions have the resources (people, time,
  money) to carry through local projects and
  educate members.

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Acknowledgements

• All the information in the PowerPoint came from
  www.arcworld.org and the textbook The Essentials
  of Conservation Biology.