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Environmental Ethics And Religion

Environmental Ethics And Religion. By: Jamie Ryan Religions of the Book . Overview. Define Environmental Ethics & Sustainability Relation between religion and environment Scripture references & environment Current events How you can make a difference. What is Environmental Ethics?.

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Environmental Ethics And Religion

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  1. Environmental Ethics And Religion By: Jamie Ryan Religions of the Book

  2. Overview • Define Environmental Ethics & Sustainability • Relation between religion and environment • Scripture references & environment • Current events • How you can make a difference

  3. What is Environmental Ethics? • Environmental ethics- the discipline that studies the moral relationship of human beings and also the value and moral status of the environment and its nonhuman contents • It considers the ethical relationship between humans and the environment

  4. Why are Environmental Ethics Important? • Humans are slowly depleting all of our natural resources that other generations need for their future • Our world was created for us to live and thrive on and we are slowly killing it • Sustainability for the environment is crucial so that we do not destruct the world that God created

  5. Sustainability- meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. It addresses issues of social equity and economic development as well as ecological indicators. connects to our children and our children’s children Christianity Judaism and Islam all want to pass on their religion to their future generations What is Sustainability?

  6. Christian, Jewish and Islamic religions all support the environment Scriptural References The New Testament, Hebrew Bible and the Qur’an support by respecting animals, eating and planting fruit and respecting all forms of nature Themes of reward and punishment The Environment and Religion

  7. Judaism and the Environment • The Jewish belief toward the environment is similar to the themes found in the Tanuk. - God is all powerful and we must recognize him and serve him in the ways that he commands. - God instruct the Jews about their limitations on natural resources

  8. Rom 8:19-23 This passage shows how the creation was for the children of God and the world was created for us. Christians believe we should respect all aspects of the environment and that those who do so will be rewarded. Relation to sustainability Christianity and the Environment

  9. Islam and the Environment • “Who did transgress beyond bounds in the land and made therein much mischief. So your Lord poured on them different kinds of severe torment. Surely your Lord is Ever-Watchful." (89:11-14) -This is a punishment in the Qur’an for those who did not appreciate the fertile land, pure water and beautiful gardens.

  10. Animals and Religion • Judaism, Christianity and Islam all regard animals in their scriptures and they are consistently a part of the text. • Reoccurring animals include lambs, fish, ox, horses, cattle, sheep and many others • Many of our animals are endangered and we do not want to destroy the earth and kill them off

  11. Fair Treatment of Animals:Judaism • “When you wish meat for food, you may eat it at will, to your hearts desire…..” (Deut 12:20) -Here we see that food from God and that it should be eaten and enjoyed because it is a gift • “If while walking along, you chance upon a birds nest with young birds of eggs in it, in any tree of on the ground, and the mother bird is sitting on them, you shall not take away the mother bird along with her brood. It is thus for you that you should have prosperity and a long life” (Deut 22:6-8) -Here it is evident that birds are an animal of importance. Doing the right thing in this situation will be rewarded by God

  12. Fair Treatment of Animals:Judaism Keeping Kosher • KOSHER -Meat can not be mixed with dairy -You may eat any animal that has cloven hooves and chews its cud. (Lev. 11:3) -Camels, badgers and pigs are not Kosher -Prohibits consumption of Blood: Life & Soul of Animal -“But make sure that you do not partake in the blood; for the blood Is life and you shall not consume this seat of life with the blood of flesh” (Deut 12: 23)

  13. Keeping Kosher (cont’d) • Jewish ritual slaughter is very specific and it is painless, causes unconsciousness within two seconds, and is recognized as most humane way possible. -Certain parts and organs of animals must not be eaten -Of the things that are in the waters, you may eat anything that has fins and scales(Lev. 11:) - According to Jewish law pigs are animals that should not be eaten

  14. Treatment of Animals and The New Testament • “The just man takes care of his beast, but the heart of the wicked is merciless” (Prov 12:10) -A right man would take care of his animals and those who are wicked are cruel to creatures under their care. • “There are six things that the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to him; Haughty eyes a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood” (Prov 6:16-17) • Different interpretations argue that this proverb pertains to animals and they should not be killed by humans for no reason

  15. "Do they not look at the camels how they are created" (88:17) Here camels are mentioned because they are a remarkable animal that provide a great benefit to many people The Qur’an -stresses importance of grazing animals. Specifically sheep and cattle, because it wants people to make good use of them. Fair treatment of Animals:Islam

  16. Fruit and its relation to the Hebrew Bible Deut 21 Told not to cut down trees that have fruit in them. Men a instructed that they can eat the fruit but may not harm them Fruit is considered a blessing from God and we should not destroy things that bless us with fruit from the Lord

  17. Fruit and the Bible • “You are free to eat from any of the trees in the garden except the tree of knowledge of good and bad. From that tree you shall not eat; the moment you eat from it you are surely doomed and will die”(Gen 2:16-17) -God has given us everything we need -Sets fourth specific limitations -Must fight temptation to disregard God

  18. -Dual meaning of fruit 1) The fruit from the environment should be cherished and continually planted for others 2) Humans must be fruitful and have children but we must have a healthy place to live, which then connects us back to sustainability Fruit and the Bible Fruitis also often associated Bearing children and multiplying your descendents is important in order to carry on the religion.

  19. Fruit and the New Testament • “When the season came, he a sent a servant to the tenants to get from them some of the fruit of the vineyard” (Mark 12:2) • “Every good tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (Matt 2:19) - Tree is only good if it can bear good fruit - Importance of fruit - Environmentalist disagree with burning

  20. Fruit and Islam • "Eat of their fruit when they bring fruit, but pay the due thereof on the day of its harvest. But be not extravagant." (6:141) - accepting gifts from others - Don’t be excessive in production and consumption - Allah does not like spoiling - Must not overproduce and waste food; seen as an ingratitude to Allah

  21. Current Events • Bush and United Nations looking to punish those countries with emissions linked to global warming. • Current Issue- depleting the ozone layer with our extensive release of CO2 and fossil fuels. • Walking to locations instead of driving was done in the passed and we should continue to do so today. • We need to reduce our emissions of gases that harm the environment.

  22. Current Events (Continued) • Iran has increased ins nuclear enrichment program. Nuclear weapons can create mass destruction and ruin our world. • Convince Iran to take part in IAEA inspections • Iran claims their uranium is only used for civil purposes • Many see this as an issue between Christians and Jews v. Muslims • See passed their cultural differences • Think about what is right for our environment and our future generations

  23. Questions • Do you think that God intended us to be masters over the environment and all that in entails? • Have you noticed anything in the scriptures that are very different from another in regards to the environment? Or do the religions of the book share the same beliefs? • What do you think should be done to solve current environmental issues?

  24. Many people rely on others to take action when it comes to the environment. Instead you can: - Walk or carpool -Reusable instead of paper - Always recycle - Don’t waste food - Eat organically TEACH OTHERS TO BE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!!! How Can I Help?

  25. Bibliography • Gerstenfeld, Manfred. Jerusalem Center for Public Offairs. Jewish Environmental Perspective. Viewed May 10, 2007.< http://www.jcpa.org/art/jep3.htm> • Jacobs, Bill. Pope John Paul II. Nature is our Sister. Viewed May 10, 2007. http://conservation.catholic.org/pope_john_paul_ii.htm • Regenstein, Lewis.Animals, Religion and the Environment. 
The Bible’s Teachings on Protecting Animals and NatureViewed May26, 2007http://www.all-creatures.org/articles/an-tpr-are.html • Revkin, Andrew C. New York Times. Bush Climate Plan: Amid Nays, Some. Viewed June1,2007http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/04/washington/04climate.html?_r=1&n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fSubjects%2fE%2fEnvironment&oref=slogin • Rich, Tracy R. Judaism 101 Kashrut: Jewish Dietary Laws Viewed June 1, 2007. http://www.jewfaq.org/kashrut.htm • Wikipedia. Online Encyclopedia. Environmentalism. Viewed June 1, 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmentalism

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