Comments on: Atheist scientist debases religion and science in the cause of environmentalism http://www.leithjb.net/blog/2009/09/18/atheist-scientist-debases-religion-and-science-in-the-cause-of-environmentalism/ Personal diary of John Barnabas (aka Barney) Leith Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:25:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Jenny http://www.leithjb.net/blog/2009/09/18/atheist-scientist-debases-religion-and-science-in-the-cause-of-environmentalism/comment-page-1/#comment-26678 Jenny Sat, 19 Sep 2009 10:21:44 +0000 http://www.leithjb.net/blog/2009/09/18/atheist-scientist-debases-religion-and-science-in-the-cause-of-environmentalism/#comment-26678 We hear often enough that climate change, peak oil and population growth are global issues that can only be solved by global actions. This does not mean that spiritual values and local initiatives cannot have a very big effect in changing people’s mindsets and encouraging all of us, individually and in our local communities, to take small steps to address these issues. Religions must get involved because these are issues that are fundamental to the future of the world. Whilst I agree that Lord May’s comments demonstrate a very simplistic view of religion, it is nevertheless true that spiritual values can and do inspire people to become involved in environmental issues. My local Transition Towns steering group contains committed Christians of more than one denomination, a Baha’i and a Quaker, among others. They have become involved because their own values require them to, and not because their chiurch has 'told' them to. If religious people are not inspired to participate actively in environmental groups and initiatives, where is their concern for the future of mankind? We hear often enough that climate change, peak oil and population growth are global issues that can only be solved by global actions. This does not mean that spiritual values and local initiatives cannot have a very big effect in changing people’s mindsets and encouraging all of us, individually and in our local communities, to take small steps to address these issues.

Religions must get involved because these are issues that are fundamental to the future of the world. Whilst I agree that Lord May’s comments demonstrate a very simplistic view of religion, it is nevertheless true that spiritual values can and do inspire people to become involved in environmental issues. My local Transition Towns steering group contains committed Christians of more than one denomination, a Baha’i and a Quaker, among others. They have become involved because their own values require them to, and not because their chiurch has ‘told’ them to. If religious people are not inspired to participate actively in environmental groups and initiatives, where is their concern for the future of mankind?

]]> By: Barney http://www.leithjb.net/blog/2009/09/18/atheist-scientist-debases-religion-and-science-in-the-cause-of-environmentalism/comment-page-1/#comment-26676 Barney Sat, 19 Sep 2009 07:05:03 +0000 http://www.leithjb.net/blog/2009/09/18/atheist-scientist-debases-religion-and-science-in-the-cause-of-environmentalism/#comment-26676 I absolutely agree that Baha'i principles and teachings tell us to take care of the Earth and its precious cargo of life. We also need to empower the poor and powerless to reshape their own lives. What the article objects to (and what I object to) is the use of religion in an instrumental and insincere way by those who regard religion as nothing but the left-over superstitions of a past age in order to put the frighteners on people and to get people to see things in a particular way. This has <strong>nothing</strong> to do with the the way Baha'u'llah teaches us to live and to be of service. Thanks for your insightful comment, Anne. I absolutely agree that Baha’i principles and teachings tell us to take care of the Earth and its precious cargo of life. We also need to empower the poor and powerless to reshape their own lives. What the article objects to (and what I object to) is the use of religion in an instrumental and insincere way by those who regard religion as nothing but the left-over superstitions of a past age in order to put the frighteners on people and to get people to see things in a particular way. This has nothing to do with the the way Baha’u'llah teaches us to live and to be of service.

Thanks for your insightful comment, Anne.

]]> By: Anne http://www.leithjb.net/blog/2009/09/18/atheist-scientist-debases-religion-and-science-in-the-cause-of-environmentalism/comment-page-1/#comment-26672 Anne Sat, 19 Sep 2009 03:36:44 +0000 http://www.leithjb.net/blog/2009/09/18/atheist-scientist-debases-religion-and-science-in-the-cause-of-environmentalism/#comment-26672 This is an interesting article. I never really looked at it that way. I have welcomed the influence of Faith based groups addressing environmental issues. Our environmental problems are rooted in values: not cherishing the Earth, not caring about future generations, unjustly forcing poorer nations to disproportionately pay the price of wealthier nation's overconsumption... An increase in spiritual values is a natural solution. Faith is a powerful motivator of change. I suppose the point being made here is that someone is insincerely using religion for manipulation. But is there a place for sincerely applying principles of Faith to environmental protection? I certainly think so. This is an interesting article. I never really looked at it that way. I have welcomed the influence of Faith based groups addressing environmental issues. Our environmental problems are rooted in values: not cherishing the Earth, not caring about future generations, unjustly forcing poorer nations to disproportionately pay the price of wealthier nation’s overconsumption… An increase in spiritual values is a natural solution. Faith is a powerful motivator of change.
I suppose the point being made here is that someone is insincerely using religion for manipulation.
But is there a place for sincerely applying principles of Faith to environmental protection? I certainly think so.

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