Create

A BETTER FUTURE

RELIGION & ETHICS

Our minds and knowledge are influenced by science. Our hearts on the other hand are influenced by many things and sometimes may even offer some form of moral guidance. The human nature split for example, which is the legacy of the "technology and science can fix all" (mechanistic world view), is directly related to this division of our minds from our hearts. Our mind's understanding of science, not our heart's moral beliefs, seems to be what is leading us astray -- a loss of heart that has led to treating nature as a commodity from which we are independent and separate, and which treats other humans with less dignity than they deserve.

The greatest triumphs in science are not, after all, triumphs of facts but rather triumphs of new ways of seeing, of thinking, of perceiving, and of asking questions. These ways of seeing and thinking are strongly influenced by what our hearts feel. The reality that is investigated by science, through experimentation and reasoning, and that is illuminated through the progressively revealed truth of moral beliefs then, ultimately becomes one.

Our values, our ethics, rather than the laws, are waking us up to the necessity for change in how each one of us live. These ethics will be the guiding light that is providing direction. Now, in this time of change, these ethics will come into play as each one of us is faced with a situation that is new. These ethics will support us in understanding the complexity of new changes. Our morality will comfort us as we struggle with changes that do not necessarily hold any instant gratification except that of doing what's right.

Ethics is essentially about how much importance we assign to ourselves, to those we know and to all that is life, whatever form or fashion -- ethics that are founded in the best interests for human beings, ecosystems, and future generations. The decision for sustainable development narrows the choice of ethical reference considerably. The necessary concern for future generations and for the natural environment, upon which society depends, is no longer compatible with unrestrained selfishness or human self centeredness. We are no longer allowing others to define what kind of people we are. We are awake and no matter how hard things get, we know at a deep, innate level there is a natural and spiritual world that should not be violated. The basic notions for achieving a safe place to live, for building an ecologically and socially sustainable society, are happening. As we develop this society there is a transformation in our individual attitudes and values. There is now the opportunity for a complete reforming of our social structures.

Religion in the Ecological Age: Center for Respect of Life & the Environment (CRLE) - The Center for Spirituality and Sustainability (CSS) offers experiential, interdisciplinary programs designed to promote consciousness of the interconnectedness of all creation and a sustainable future based on spiritual awareness. Its major partners are Associated Colleges of the South (ACS), Heifer Project International (HPI), and CRLE. As part of its work, CSS offers a Doctor of Ministry program in Spirituality and Sustainability that will bring together people of different religious traditions who believe the central purpose of ministry is to care for the diverse community of life. The program, drawing on the Earth Charter principles, will develop ministers who can integrate a respect for life and compassionate care into their ministry to others. CRLE has helped create a series of initiatives to assist religious leaders and institutions to express their concern for animals and the Earth.

Pope John Paul II and the Patriarch Bartholomew Warn Against Environmental Disaster - We are concerned about the negative consequences for humanity and for all creation resulting from the degradation of some basic natural resources such as water, air and land, brought about by an economic and technological progress which does not recognize and take into account its limits. Thus we have jointly entered into The Venice Declaration.

Ecology and Religion - It is obvious that our present way of living is unsustainable. Unless we change our behaviour we will pass on an ugly and run-down planet to future generations. As Christians we need to gather our energies and to see caring for the earth as central to our Christian vocation.

Bartholomew I, is a Man on an Ecological Mission - Patriarch Bartholomew warns of a stark social and environmental crisis which the world is facing.

Sailing with the Green Patriarch - Bartholomew I, Patriarch of the Greek Orthodox Church wants people to join him in drawing attention to the calamitous state of the earth's oceans, seas and coasts. Christian leaders discussed the environment while Sailing the Baltic.

European Christian Environmental Network - ECEN, the European Christian Environmental Network, was set up in 1998 at a meeting of environmental representatives from 26 countries at Vilemov in the Czech Republic. The network embraces a wide variety of church traditions and a broad range of environmental work. This includes policy issues like climate change and water, promoting an awareness of God's creation in worship and liturgy, practical environmental management in churches, and much more.

Religion and Environmental Ethics - Patriarch Batholomew I has said that each of us is called to make the crucial distinction between what we want and what we need. Only through such self-denial, through our willingness sometimes to forgo and to say, "no" or "enough" will we rediscover our true human place in the universe.

Religion and Sustainability - Religion´s chance, challenge and duty nowadays is, to give clear guidance concerning sustainability or responsibility for the creation and to demand these devices. In addition concrete proposals and proceedings for practical behaviour should be given and developed in different internal groups and communities.

Sustainability & Religion - A pilgrimage towards sustainability - The project “sustainability & religion(s) – a pilgrim” aims to stimulate ideas of sustainable development using different means such as a co-operation among different world religions and philosophical approaches. Furthermore it integrates the discourse in-between science, the dialog between religions, their approach to the topic of sustainability, educational institutions, and the general public.

Values for Sustainability - An annotated bibliography of documents of Information Habitat: Where Information Lives, in some cases with links to the full text of the documents, relating to values for sustainability.

Creating Sustainable Society - Doing the right thing for Sustainability is an act of FAITH. The Religion of Sustainability provide sus with a much neglected, or misplaced, sense of purpose, meaning and identity and a framework within which to find personal satisfaction and fulfillment.

Sisters of the Holy Cross Work for Justice - The only way to restore and maintain the health of the earth is to reduce human impact on the environment. This requires a serious evaluation of our lifestyle and our patterns of consumption. The Sisters of the Holy Cross' work for ecological sustainability takes many forms.

National Religious Partnership for the Environment - The National Religious Partnership for the Environment is a formal alliance of major faith groups and denominations across the spectrum of Jewish and Christian communities and organizations in the United States. The Partnership is integrating care for God's creation throughout religious life: theology, worship, social teaching, education, congregational life, and public policy initiative. And we seek to provide inspiration, moral vision, and commitment to social justice for all efforts to protect the natural world and human well-being within it.

Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon - Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon (EMO) is an association of 17 Christian denominations including Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox bodies across the state that work together for unity and justice. Through community ministry, public policy advocacy, theological education and dialogue and environmental ministry, EMO participates in the collective task of building a just and compassionate world for all people. We invite you to participate in this collaborative effort to create a world of possibility for all God's people in Oregon and beyond.

International Institute for Humane Education - Humane education examines the challenges facing our planet, from human oppression and animal exploitation to materialism and ecological degradation. It explores how we might live with compassion and respect for everyone: not just our friends and neighbors, but all people; not just our own dogs and cats, but all animals; not just our own homes, but also the earth itself, our ultimate home. Humane educators inspire people to live examined, intentional lives so that what they do today helps the planet, animals and all people tomorrow.

The National Religious Partnership for the Environment - The National Religious Partnership for the Environment is a formal alliance of major faith groups and denominations across the spectrum of Jewish and Christian communities and organizations in the United States.

Belief Net - A multi-faith e-community designed to help you meet your own religious and spiritual needs -- in an interesting, captivating and engaging way. Considers issues of science and religion and promotes dialogue on these.

Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility - For over thirty years the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR) has been a leader of the corporate social responsibility movement. ICCR's membership is an association of 275 faith- based institutional investors, including national denominations, religious communities, pension funds, endowments, hospital corporations, economic development funds and publishing companies. ICCR and its members press companies to be socially and environmentally responsible. Each year ICCR- member religious institutional investors sponsor over 100 shareholder resolutions on major social and environmental issues.

Project Nature - The Advantages of Educating, Counseling and Healing With Nature. Applied Ecopsychology in Action.