Meagan
Church Militant
Posts: 151
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Post by Meagan on Jun 21, 2007 11:10:02 GMT -5
Not sure if this the right place for this.
One of the things that I believe has attracted me to paganism was the concern for the environment. Now the thing is, I've been around enough pagans or have had the opportunity to talk with many via online, to know that this is not always the case, as people are people are people.
One website for a local place for nuns (convent?) Sacred Heart of Mary I believe is the name, actually is very pro active with helping to work to heal and protect the earth.
So my question is (I know I have a lot) does the Church have some sort of "position" on the environment? One of the things that has bothered me about **some** evangelical groups or Christian, is that they tend to equate concern for the earth on the same level as earth "worship" which makes little sense to me. Because you could use that line of reasoning for a lot of things.
Thought I'd ask.
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NanaR
Church Militant
Posts: 173
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Post by NanaR on Jun 21, 2007 13:36:45 GMT -5
Olivia, Go to this link: www.vatican.va/phome_en.htmand then enter the word "environmental" in the search box. I did, and it pulled up a multitude of reports, including a letter from Pope John Paul II confirming his signing of the COMMON DECLARATION ON ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS (I tried to post the direct link but it is too long and won't work. Be sure to use "environmental" in the search, not "environment"). Lots of good stuff there -- take a look :-) Ruth
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Meagan
Church Militant
Posts: 151
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Post by Meagan on Jun 21, 2007 14:18:10 GMT -5
Wow here are a few paragraphs I found to be very interesting:
What a guy! Now this is the Pope that recently passed right?
Incredibly humble. I don't think I've ever read something, no, I can honestly say I have not read something from a religious leader who has such power, encourage people to think of creation in such a way. Thank you for the link. There are several more articles I need to read.
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Post by gkchesterton on Jun 21, 2007 21:44:56 GMT -5
Not sure if this the right place for this. One of the things that I believe has attracted me to paganism was the concern for the environment. Now the thing is, I've been around enough pagans or have had the opportunity to talk with many via online, to know that this is not always the case, as people are people are people. One website for a local place for nuns (convent?) Sacred Heart of Mary I believe is the name, actually is very pro active with helping to work to heal and protect the earth. So my question is (I know I have a lot) does the Church have some sort of "position" on the environment? One of the things that has bothered me about **some** evangelical groups or Christian, is that they tend to equate concern for the earth on the same level as earth "worship" which makes little sense to me. Because you could use that line of reasoning for a lot of things. Thought I'd ask. The Roman Church has the same position of all Christian's that I'm aware of, that Humans are the custodians of Earth and responsible for its well being. From the CCC: 377 The "mastery" over the world that God offered man from the beginning was realized above all within man himself: mastery of self. The first man was unimpaired and ordered in his whole being because he was free from the triple concupiscence254 that subjugates him to the pleasures of the senses, covetousness for earthly goods, and self-assertion, contrary to the dictates of reason. 378 The sign of man's familiarity with God is that God places him in the garden.255 There he lives "to till it and keep it". Work is not yet a burden,256 but rather the collaboration of man and woman with God in perfecting the visible creation. 379 This entire harmony of original justice, foreseen for man in God's plan, will be lost by the sin of our first parents. ....... 1911 Human interdependence is increasing and gradually spreading throughout the world. The unity of the human family, embracing people who enjoy equal natural dignity, implies a universal common good. This good calls for an organization of the community of nations able to "provide for the different needs of men; this will involve the sphere of social life to which belong questions of food, hygiene, education, . . . and certain situations arising here and there, as for example . . . alleviating the miseries of refugees dispersed throughout the world, and assisting migrants and their families."29 ============================================== Modern environmentalism is one branch of this philosophy. Environmental custodianism is definitely older and had its strongest proponent in Theodore Roosevelt. I'm personally turned off by modern environmentalism for a few reasons: 1.) It tends to elevate the animal and the inanimate to greater esteem than the human 2.) It makes rash decisions on industry that polarize the debate 3.) It assumes that lower energy consumption is a net good (the "noble savage" myth)
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Post by gkchesterton on Jun 21, 2007 21:48:13 GMT -5
Incredibly humble. I don't think I've ever read something, no, I can honestly say I have not read something from a religious leader who has such power, encourage people to think of creation in such a way. Thank you for the link. There are several more articles I need to read. Good stewardship and Christianity have been linked for millennia. I could probably dig up some quotes from Augustine on the subject. I won't promise anything though because it could take a significant amount of time. Modern Christian leaders have also been involved in such movements. However, the first responsibility of such a leader is to the humans in his flock. Stewardship should aid that not distract from it.
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