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Faithful Environmental
Stewardship:the role of religion in addressing the
environmental crisis
Peter AdrianceOrlando, 2010
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The changes required to
reorient the world toward asustainable future imply
degrees of sacrifice, socialintegration, selfless action,
and unity of purpose rarelyachieved in human history.
These qualities have reachedtheir highest degree of
development through thepower of religion
(Bah International Community, Earth Charter, 1991)
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The world's crying need for the divine
prescriptions is made plain by the ills
afflicting society at every level in all parts ofthe planet. We must be swift in ministering to
this need.(2001 Jan 14)
The UniversalHouse of Justice
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Humanity's crying need will not be met by a struggleamong competing ambitions or by protest of the
countless wrongs afflicting a desperate age. It calls,
rather, for a fundamental change of consciousness
that the time has come when each human being onearth must learn to accept responsibility for the
welfare of the entire human family(2001 May 24)
The UniversalHouse of Justice
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The National Conference on Science,
Policy and the Environment 2007 Theme:
Climate Change
Workshop: People of Faith Respond to
Climate Change with Concrete Actions
Catholic, Protestant, Buddhist, Jewish, Bahai Scientists: We need you Cant do it alone
Science and Religion
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Science and Religion
Thirty years ago, I thought thatwith enough good science we
would be able to solve the
environmental crisis. I was
wrong. I used to think that the
greatest problems threatening
the planet were pollution, bio-
diversity loss and climatechange. I was wrong there too
Gus Speth, Dean, Yale School of Forestry and the Environment
at a 2008 meeting between scientists and evangelical leaders
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Science and Religion
I now believe that thegreatest problems are pride,apathy and greed. Because thatswhats keeping us from solvingthe environmental problem. Forthat, I now see that we need acultural and spiritualtransformation. And we in thescientific community dont know
how to do that. But you [in thefaith community] do. We needyour help.
Gus Speth, Dean, Yale School of Forestry and the Environment
at a 2008 meeting between scientists and evangelical leaders
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"Science and religion are two
of the most potent forces on
Earth, and they should cometogether to save the creation.
Science and Religion
E.O.Wilson,
Naturalist
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"We left changed people,more convinced than everthat scientists andEvangelicals had to speakwith one voice and doeverything in their power tosave this indescribablybeautiful and precious gift
we have all been given.
Science and Religion
Eric Chivian, Scientist
Richard Cizik Evangelical Leader,Had Convened 30 scientists
and evangelical leaders on
Climate Change in 2005
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"Science and Religionshould go forward together;indeed, they should be liketwo fingers of one hand.
(Abdu'l-Baha in London, p. 71)
Science and Religion
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Invoking the Spirit - Religion and
Spirituality in the Quest for a
Sustainable World(2002)
State of the World 2003, Ch. 8
Inspiring Progress: ReligionsContributions to Sustainable
Development(2006)
Gary Gardner, Worldwatch Institute
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Deamers life story embodies both a challenge and a
hope for human advancement in the 21st century
THE CHALLENGE: to redefineprogress -- to
revamp economies to work in harmony
with the natural environment and serve all
people. THE HOPE: that religious
leaders and communities
will recognize the powerful
contribution they can make
and lend their considerable
influence to it.
Deamer (Bah): inspired by his Faith (Gardner, Inspiring
Progress 2006)
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Religious Assets for Building a
Sustainable World
Capacity to Shape Worldviews
Moral Authority
Sheer numbers of Adherents
Significant Material Resources Community-Building Capacity
(Gardner, 2002)
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The changes needed to sustain human and naturalcommunities can only be achieved in the context of
the rise of a new consciousness...a spiritual
awakeninga transformation of the human heart
2007 Yale Conference Report
Toward a New Consciousness: Values to
Sustain Human and Natural communities
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No other group of institutions can wield the
particular moral authority of the religions
Mary Evelyn Tucker, co-founder
Forum on Religion and Ecology
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2008: Sierra Clubs
first ever national
report on
environmentalengagement of
faith communities
Examples from 50 states
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Faith in Action Sierra Club
We recognize that lasting socialchange rarely takes placewithout the activeengagement of communities
of faith.
For two decades, religiousleaders[have been] linking
core religious values such asstewardship, justice, andconcern for future generationswith environmental concerns
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U.S. Partnership for
Education for SustainableDevelopment
www.uspartnership.org
Includes News and
SustainabilityE
ducationResources for many Faiths
UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development
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"How Many Jews Does It Take
to Change a Light Bulb?"
-----
Coalition on the Environmentand Jewish LifeA Light Among the Nations campaign
Take a Scientist to Synagogue speakers bureau
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Interfaith
Powerand
Light
&
The
RenewalProject
Rev. Sally G. Bingham
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The International Environment Forum
www.iefworld.org
A Bah-inspired forumfor knowledge-sharing,
education and
information exchange
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ARC/UNDP seven year plans for
generational change
Environmental and climateaction plans by the worlds
faiths launched in late 2009.
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ARC/UNDP
seven year plans for
generational change
Bahai approach through framework of
action:
Explore the relationship of humans to the
environment as articulated in the Bahai
sacred writings. Build capacity to engage in service
supporting environmental stewardship.
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Subsequent letter from US NSA to
American Baha'i Community
Feb 25, 2010
Encouraged community to
Study Baha'i teachings on environment Incorporate greater awareness of
environment into core activities and
community lifeThese actions will support and help sustain
processes of growth
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Taking action
in the U.S. Baha'i community:
Uniting the Spiritual and Practical
Jr. Youth: clean stream banks, restore
redwood groves, teach childrens classes on
stewardship, participate in eco-camps
Communities: hold devotionals and firesides;
interfaith sustainability initiatives;
environmental clean ups; tree planting Individuals: serve on IPL State Boards; engage
with other interfaith organizations
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House of Worship restoration/ Kingdom Project
HVAC system
Cistern for rainwater storage/ irrigation
Visitors Center
Schools/ Properties
Sessions on environmental stewardship, justice andclimate change.
Greening of buildings and grounds, hospitality, food
services, purchasing, and waste management
Taking action
in the U.S. Baha'i community:
Uniting the Spiritual and Practical
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Finally, Coming up Feb 11-13, 2011
Interfaith Power and Lights annual
Preach-in on Global WarmingBaha'i materials available for 3 core activities
Theme: Environmental Stewardship and Justice
Devotional gatheringsSupplemental materials for Childrens
classes
Supplemental materials for Jr. youth
groups
www.interfaithpowerandlight.org
Letter from NSA coming in January with more info
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The UniversalHouse of Justice
That the world civilization now on humanity's horizonmust achieve a dynamic coherence between the
material and spiritual requirements of life is central
to the Bah' teachings. Clearly this ideal has
profound implications for the nature of any socialaction pursued by Baha'is, whatever its scope and
range of influence.(Ridvan 2010)
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Faithful Environmental Stewardship
Rooted in the Sacred
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O Son of Man!I loved thy creation, hence I created thee.
Wherefore, do thou love Me,that I may name thy name
and fill thy soul with the spirit of life.
(Bah Writings)
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Consider the world
of created beings,how varied anddiverse they are in
species, yet with onesole originThisdiversity of type is
apparentthroughout thewhole of nature.
(Bah' Writings)
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the universe is a scroll thatdiscloseth His hidden secrets.(Bah' Writings)
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Every man of discernment, while walkingupon the earth, feeleth indeed abashed,inasmuch as he is fully aware that the thing
which is the source of his prosperity, hiswealth, his might, his exaltation, hisadvancement and power is, as ordained by
God, the very earth which is troddenbeneath the feet of all men.(Bah' Writings)
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If carried to excess, civilization willprove as prolific a source of evil as it
had been of goodness when kept withinthe restraints of moderation.
(Bah Writings)
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cooperation and reciprocity are essentialproperties which are inherent inthe world ofexistence, and without which the entire
creation would be reduced to nothingness.(Bah' Writings)
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The oneness of humanity is the
fundamental spiritual and social truthshaping our age.(Bah InternationalCommunity)
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We cannot segregate thehuman heart from the
environment outside us andsay that once one of these
is reformed everything willbe improved. Man is
organic with the world. Hisinner life moulds the
environment and is itselfalso deeply affected by it.
(Bah' Writings)
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TheEarth is
but onecountry, andmankind its
citizens.(Bah Writings)
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Only a comprehensive vision
of a global society, supported by universalvalues and principles, can inspire individuals totake responsibility for the long-term care and
protection of the natural environment.Bahs find such a world embracing vision andsystem of values in the teachings of
Bahullh teachings which herald an eraof planetary justice, prosperity and unity.
(Bah InternationalCommunity)
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For Baha'is, Baha'u'llah's promise that
civilization will exist on this planet for aminimum of five thousand centuries makesit unconscionable to ignore the long-term
impact of decisions made today. Theworld community must, therefore, learn tomake use of the earth's natural resources,
both renewable and non-renewable, in amanner that ensures sustainability intothe distant reaches of time.
(Bah InternationalCommunity)
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