2.3: Religious Views about the Environment
Read this article, which outlines the historical and cultural basis of the current environmental situation, and details the historical roots of the current ecological crisis. Make notes on the three key ideas presented in the text. How do they match with current religious beliefs of the 21st century?
- Read the introduction and watch the lecture that follows. These pieces describe how the environment is viewed in various religions. As you watch the video, make brief notes on each of the religions summarized. At the end, review your notes and attempt to group each religion under one of the approaches to environmental ethics presented earlier in this unit.
2.3.1: Ancient Greek Beliefs and Views about the Environment
- Watch the lecture, which discusses the dependence of early civilizations on the environment. The video covers not just Ancient Greece but other civilizations, each demonstrating a similar attitude towards the environment. As you watch the video, link the attitudes of each of these civilizations with an environmental ethical viewpoint covered earlier in Unit 2.
Read this article for an overview of environmental history. This editorial presents the origins and philosophical underpinnings of environmental history, and highlights significant interactions of humans and the natural world throughout history. Note that the influence of Greek philosophy on our concept of nature is discussed part way through the text. After reading the article, do you believe that our understanding of and attitude towards the environment has improved or degraded over time?
2.3.2: Native American Beliefs and Views about the Environment
This article discusses how, compared with modern-day scientific methods, the Native American culture relies heavily on "knowing the land." Do you believe that the traditional knowledge of Native peoples has something to offer Western science?
2.3.3: Christian Views about the Environment
Watch this video, which outlines how the environment is regarded in the Christian religion and discusses whether these principles may be applied to current issues. As an example, the speaker talks about climate change and how it is not addressed in the Bible. How do you believe we can justify modern environmental issues with religious beliefs written many years prior?
Watch the four videos. The first video discusses the idea of ownership of the environment, with the remaining three discussing stewardship of the environment. As you watch, attempt to identify the key points of the beliefs in order to compare them with other religions in this unit.
2.3.4: Buddhist Views about the Environment
Read this article, which touches on the attitudes of Buddhists towards the environment.
Read this article.
Read this blog post, which touches on the key attitudes of Buddhists towards the environment. How does this differ from other religions you have read about thus far? Can you relate the views to an environmental ethic, as covered earlier in the unit?
2.3.5: Jewish Views about the Environment
The article is a summary of the traditional Jewish philosophies and how they could be linked with modern environmental issues. As you read, attempt to identify the key points of the beliefs in order to compare them with other religions in this unit.
2.3.6: Islamic Views about the Environment
As you read this article, attempt to identify the key points of the beliefs in order to compare them with other religions in this unit.
This video talks in particular about animal cruelty, but this is integral to Islamic attitudes towards the environment. As you watch, attempt to capture the key points of the beliefs in order to compare them with other religions in this unit.
2.3.7: Hindu Views about the Environment
As you read this blog post, attempt to identify the key points of the beliefs in order to compare them with other religions in this unit.
- Read this short article. The passage delivers a message of how one should act towards "Mother Nature."
2.3.8: Sikh Views about the Environment
Read this short article. Sikhism is a monotheistic religion that originated in South Asia.
2.3.9: Differing Religious Views about the Environment
Reflect on the following questions. If you wish, please post your thoughts on this subunit's discussion forum. Leave a reply to your classmates’ posts as well!
Compare and contrast the eight religions/belief systems you have encountered in this unit. A good way to start this analysis is to list each religious viewpoint and look for similarities and differences, you can also do this in a chart format. Then post your findings and the trends that are most interesting to you.
Note: You will need to create an account at discourse.saylor.org to participate in the forum. Signing up is free and only takes a moment.