Religion and the Environment

Aim

Revise key points of this unit

Environmental problems

• Pollution - caused by humans – disturbing ecosystem

• The Greenhouse Effect – burning fossil fuels – causing earth’s temp to rise; could lead to floods; ice caps melting; changes in climate

• Eutrophication – fertilisers; cutting down trees. Increases plants, killing fish, poisoning water

• Deforestation – soil erosion, desertification, lack of oxygen

• Nuclear power - waste

Natural Resources

• Renewable eg water, solar, wind power; fertile land; soft woods.

• Non-renewable (finite) eg oil, coal, gas, tin, aluminium.

• Use them – become scarcer; eventually run out! Oil – cars, plastics, road surfaces.

Christianity – creation and environment

• Genesis – 6 days of creation – message = World is Gods creation and made way he intended. “it was very good”

• God gave humans stewardship of the Earth – Christians must look after it, its plants and animals, and pass onto next generation better than it was

• Believe Earth’s resources should be shared fairly• Bible teaching• Jesus teaching – parable of the Talents teaches

stewardship; also taught to share good things of the earth

• BUT Christians placed in charge of the Earth by God – resources have been created by God for humans to use. So must respect and care for environment but not let environmental concerns hurt humans.

Islam and the environment

• Universe made by God• Unity in all creation• Muslims should respect the world and maintain balance

of nature• God made Adam his khalifah to look after earth for God.

All Muslims are Gods’ khalifahs – should care for Earth following way of life set out in Qur’an and Shari’ah.

• Life is test from God – judgement Day – one of things God will consider is how they have treated the Earth

• All this taught in the Qur’an• But humans come first as humans are God’s khalifahs –

all environmental concerns must be considered with regard to their effect on humans

Target Earth

•Target Earth is a national movement of Christians who reflect this commitment to care.

•Biblical call to be faithful stewards of everything God created-to love our neighbours as ourselves and to care for the earth.

•Target Earth is active in 15 countries -- buying up endangered lands, protecting people, saving the jaguar, sharing the love of Jesus, feeding the hungry, and

reforesting ravaged terrain. •"Serving the Earth, Serving the Poor."

•Conservation programs protect endangered ecosystems and their inhabitants. •Academic programs train people for effective service to the earth and the poor. •Research and Education Centres advance the critical understanding of how best

to serve the earth •Environmental Technology models sustainable living that provides justice for the

poor and has minimal impact on the earth. •Outdoor Awareness Programs introduce people to the wonders of creation and

the challenges of environmental degradation.

Target Earth project• In 1993, the Eden Conservancy was established to counter the problems of

deforestation and the ensuing human suffering. The idea was simple and visionary -- to buy up the world's endangered lands. There seemed no better way to protect God's good creation.

• Working with local conservation groups, specific locations were selected for preservation. One such property is 8000 acres of rainforest in Belize (Jaguar Creek), Central America, that will help expand the Blue Hole National Park -- a region where jaguar, toucans and mahogany trees flourish. When protected with the help of the Belize Audubon Society, this area will serve as a reminder of the majesty and beauty of God's handiwork. 

• Christians are joining together to save the world's rainforests in Jesus' name. It is God's creation, and God has given us the responsibility to be good caretakers.

• WHY do they do this work? • For al the reasons on the Christianity and the environment slide!

Animal Rights

• Some believe animals have some rights – to be treated humanely and not cruel.

• Arguments over whether animals should have same rights as humans = no medical research, not kept in captivity, not eaten for food, not hunted.

• OR whether rights not to made to suffer unnecessarily = strictly controlled medical research, regulated captivity, humane farming and slaughter, hunted for food or prevent disease.

Arguments for and against animal rights

• Should have same rights as humans:

• Capable of suffering/feeling pain and enjoyment/happiness

• People have rights whether can exercise them or not – babies, disabled

• Young children are not autonomous or self conscious but still have rights

• Some scientific evidence that some species eg apes, chimps are self conscious

• Should not have same rights:• To have rights means having

responsibility to exercise those rights – animals can’t

• Animals are not self conscious – being able to see oneself as separate, think and argue about rights

• Animals not autonomous – being able to choose how to live your life. Animals adapt to environment, act on instinct – not choice

• Animals could not protect their own rights – would rely on humans

Christianity and Animal rights

• All animals are Gods creation – humans have duties towards them.

• Most believe animals can be used for medical experiments and food but humans should not be cruel, farmers should care humanely.– God gave humans right to control animals– Animals do not have same rights as humans – only

humans made in image of God– Humans are stewards so have duty to care for

animals

• Some believe should not use animals for food or experiments and should not hunt/fish– Humans duty to care for animals as stewards– Jesus - prepared to lay down his life for his

sheep rather than let them be harmed – so should never be cruel

– Cannot slaughter/experiment on animals without being cruel

– Animals have same rights as humans

Islam and Animal Rights

• Humans should not be cruel• Care for livestock humanely• Slaughter without pain• Only used for necessary experiments• Hunting for food not sport• Humans have right to use animals for food

and experiments aimed at improving human health, testing new drugs, toiletries and foods for health and safety

Because…

• Qur’an says animals are part of Gods creation

• Qur’an teaches animals have feelings

• Qur’an states can use animals for food

• Many hadith about treating animals kindly

• Shari’ah teaches animals can be used for experiments if they are necessary and for human benefit

• Next week

• Peace and Conflict

• Crime and Punishment

• Medical Issues

• Homework –revision – learn it all backwards!!!!