What does your religion say about the environment?

[JJWhite]

What are your beliefs regarding the environment?

For those of you who take their inspiration from Holy Scripture, I'm interested in knowing what your religion says about the environment?

And, for those of you who rely on sources of inspiration other than Scripture, what do you feel like your belief system has to say about the environment?

And if you fit both categories or neither, you're still welcome to share your input. I'm too sleepy to be able to word things as well as I like.

I'll share some Islamic texts related to the environment tomorrow, God willing.

 

[Wicked Willow]

I believe that the rampant metaphysical anthropocentrism underlying Western culture blinds people to the intricacies of ecology by making them think of humanity as something that is intrinsically apart (or even opposed to) Nature. Unfortunately, even though secular world views skipped the "made in God's image"-part, they usually still inherited this false dichotomy, which is the cause of enormous trouble to this day.
Capitalism, humanism, communism, even some forms of environmentalism: they all fail to realize just how much our own well-being depends on the well-being of other organisms. On clean air, an intact atmosphere, an instable, fluid equilibrium between plants processing CO2 and other organisms and processes producing it.

It's not taken from a religious text, but I think this would be a good time to bring up the example of Daisyworld: it illustrates how a self-regulating ecosphere works, by dumbing it down to a very simplistic model.

Imagine a planet that houses but two different organisms: white flowers reflecting a large amount of sunlight, thus decreasing global temperatures - and black flowers absorbing large amounts of sunlight, thus increasing global temperatures. Both types of flowers can only exist within a very specific margin of temperature - if it becomes too hot, they start to die; and if it becomes too cold, the same happens.

So, here's how it works: even though the population of both of these species fluctuates, they reach a fluid equilibrium that ascertains global temperatures to stay within the healthy margin. If it becomes too hot, more white flowers will grow, as they are better able to deflect solar energy. If it becomes too cold, more black flowers will grow, as they are better at absorbing it.

Now, as I said, this model does not even remotely do justice to the intricacies of our own planet. It is very simplistic, but deliberately so.
Interestingly enough, people have modified this simulation to include more organisms - and lo and behold, the more species you added to the mix, the more stable the self-regulating ecosphere became.

 

[Eudaimonist]

There is a Zen saying:

Before Enlightenment chop wood, carry water;
after Enlightenment chop wood, carry water.

In case you can't tell, that's example of my sense of humor... with a subtle point.

Personally, I agree with Wicked Willow that the human race has had some unwise viewpoints about how to relate to nature. There has been, perhaps, too much chopping and too much carrying.

Nevertheless, I think we need to have a humanistic environmentalism, not one that is focused on the environment as an end in itself. By humanistic, I'm not referring to Wicked Willow's use of the term "metaphysical anthropocentrism". I agree with her that this is a wrongheaded view that should be dispensed with quickly. We are certainly a part of the ecosystem.

I mean instead that we should ultimately be focused on human needs. Our environmental decisions should have as their ultimate aim the survival, prosperity, and flourishing of human beings on Earth. There is a catch, of course, and that is that we depend on a reasonably thriving ecosystem in order to accomplish these goals. We must simultaneously pursue both the flourishing of human beings, and the thriving of the rest of the ecosystem.

We should, if we can, see these as intertwining goals. I like to speak of the health of the "human environment" instead of merely the "environment", which may imply seeing human beings as something apart from the environment, and which is the flipside of the same error that the metaphysical anthropocentrists make. To be ecologically senstitive should also mean to be sensitive to human needs for prosperity, freedom, and similar values.

No doubt accomplishing this goal will involve chopping and carrying, but it will be wise chopping and carrying.



eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[Wicked Willow]

As a small addendum to what Mark has said, I'd like to draw attention to the fact that every single culture in history, no matter how "holistic", has left some sort of "ecological footprint" in its wake. The assumption that people lived in a sort of ecological golden age prior to the industrial or agrarian revolution is a myth.
(For example, if you look at ground samples in Sweden, you can find remnants of toxic ash that was released in medieval Germany during the mining and processing of ore.)

On the other hand, Man's impact on his environment isn't necessarily negative: as a matter of fact, we have actually promoted biodiversity up until the middle of the 19th century, by means of what is usually called "cultural landscape". Again, think of the territory of Germany in ancestral times: it was almost completely covered in forest, housing a very small range of species. Through agriculture and farming, we created new niches for more species, such as the Lüneburg Heath.
It was only when agriculture turned to the approach of establishing HUGE monocultures that things changed for the worse.

Accordingly, I'd argue that the Luddite dream of some environmentalists is in fact a nightmare. Our best chance in establishing a more sustainable culture is by embracing technological progress, and urging it in a more productive direction - NOT by returning to a pre-industrial golden age that never existed to begin with.

Our biggest challenge right now (apart from some serious ecological issues with our (ab)use of non-regenerative resources and our dissemination of toxic substances) is the population spike we've been witnessing over the last few decades. People who've been born in the 1960s have seen our global population DOUBLE during their lifetime, with devastating consequences for all involved parties. This lies at the heart of many of our current problems, yet there are no workable "quick fixes".

Oh, and one more thing: people like to think in terms of culture vs. nature. I think that one's pretty misleading, too. Our sprawling cities are no more unnatural than an anthill.

 

[BruceDLimber]

The Baha'i Faith says enough about it that we're formal members of UNEP (the UN environmental agency)!

Best!

Bruce

 

[JJWhite]

I kind of agree with Mark on that we have to consider the benefit of our species.

“It is He Who created everything on the earth for you...” (2:28)


(And the cattle hath He created, whence ye have
warm clothing and uses, and whereof ye eat) (oops, I lost the reference number)


(And it is He Who hath constrained the sea to be of service
that ye eat fresh meat from thence, and bring forth from thence,
ornaments which ye wear. And thou seest the ships ploughing it that ye
(mankind) may seek of His bounty, and that happily ye may give thanks)
(16: 5-14)

But, even if we are supposed to use it, we are given a leadership type role in the world,
and we need to be good leaders. It's kind of like a trust we're given. My basic
philosophy in life is "Think Win-Win".

Now for Islamic Scripture… please keep in mind that all of this was said 1400
years ago in a time and place where no one really seemed to care much for
the environment, at least to my knowledge. Some is Qur'an (God's Words translated-
as we believe).. some is Hadith (Muhammad's words). The ones with numbers are from the Qur'an, and the ones followed by the collector of the hadith are hadith.

"There is not an animal in the earth, nor a creature flying on two wings, but
they are nations like you. We have neglected nothing in the Book .
Then unto their Lord they will be gathered.) (6:38)
This makes me think of WW's remark on cities and anthills.

(17:27): "Surely, those who are wasteful are brothers of the devils and
the devil was ever an ingrate to his Lord." CONSERVE!

During a journey, one of Muhammad's companions removed a baby pigeon
from a nest. Muhammad confronted the thief and gently returned the
bird to its nest and said, "For charity shown to each creature with a
wet heart there is a reward."

There are tons of verses about contemplating over nature.
Here's one passage:

Allah sends down water from the sky and by it brings the
dead earth back to life. There is certainly a Sign in that for
people who hear. There is instruction for you in cattle. From
the contents of their bellies, from between dung and blood, We
give you pure milk to drink, easy for drinkers to swallow. And
from the fruit of the date palm and the grapevine you derive
both intoxicants and wholesome provision. There is certainly
a Sign in that for people who use their intellect. Your Lord
revealed to the bees: ‘Build dwellings in the mountains and
the trees, and also in the structures which men erect. Then eat
from every kind of fruit and travel the paths of your Lord,
which have been made easy for you to follow’. From inside
them comes a drink of varying colors, containing healing for
mankind. There is certainly a Sign in that for people who
reflect.

Also, you've probably all heard Muslims say that the LINGUISTIC meaning
of Islam is submission. So, a Muslim is one who submits her/his will
to the will of God. We kind of view all the other species in the environment
as "Muslims" too in this sense. We believe that when we also devote ourselves
to the Creator of the heavens and the earth and submit to Him we become
in line with the rest of His creation.

”The All-Merciful taught the Qur’an. He created man and
taught him clear expression. The sun and moon both run with
precision. The stars and the trees all bow down in prostration.
He erected heaven and established the balance.” (55:1–5)

(The seven heavens and the earth, and all beings therein, declare His glory:
There is not a thing but celebrates His praise, and yet ye understand not how they
declare His Glory!) (Al-Israa’ 17: 44)

"One woman was deserving of Hell fire because of her behavior towards a cat. She imprisoned it, and neither did she feed it nor did she release it to seek for its food from the open land.” (Bukhari)

Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas: The Prophet of Allah prohibited to provoke
animals for fighting. (Abu Dawud)

“While a man was walking he felt thirsty and went down a well and drank
water from it. On coming out of it, he saw a dog panting and eating mud
because of extreme thirst. The man said, ‘This (dog) is suffering from
the same problem as I am.’ So he (went down the well) filled his shoe
with water, caught hold of it with his teeth, and climbed up and watered
the dog. God thanked him for his (good) deed and forgave him.” The
people asked, “O God’s Apostle! Is there a reward for us in serving
(the) animals?” He replied, “Yes, there is a reward for serving any
animate being.” (Sahih Bukhari)

(There's also another story about a prostitute who gave water to a dog
and God forgave her sins for her sincere and kind act.)

“Whenever a Muslim plants trees or cultivates land and birds or a man
or a beast eats out of them, it is a charity on his behalf.” (Sahih Muslim)



During the prophet’s life, Muslims were instructed that one could not
allow one’s beasts of burden (camels) to become hungry (through
neglect), or even to overburden them (by loading them too heavily).
( Abu Dawud)

(Eat of their fruit when they bring fruit, but pay
the due thereof (charity) on the day of its harvest. But be not extravagant.)
(Al-Ma'idah 5: 141)


"If the Hour is about to take place while any one of you has a sapling in his hand,
which he can cultivate before it takes place, let him cultivate it for he will be
rewarded for it." (lost the reference)

“No harm should be inflicted or reciprocated.”
(Reported by Ahmad)

“If you refuse but to sit in roads, then pay the road its
right.” They said, “What is the right of the road, Allah’s
Messenger?” He said, “Lowering your gaze, returning greetings, and
removing harmful things from the road” (Reported by Muslim).


The Prophet Muhammad is said to have performed ablution with one handful of water and to have bathed with 4 handfuls of water, and if I remember correctly even instructed
His companions not to waste water while purifying themselves. (From my memory…
too tired to look up.)

Prophet Muhammad said, “If anyone wrongfully kills even a sparrow, let alone anything greater, he will face God’s interrogation” [Mishkat al Masabih]

It is forbidden to destroy crops or cut down trees during wars. )Also, from my memory.

There are also texts prohibiting killing animals for sport. (from my memory)

“The creation of the heavens and the earth is far greater than the creation
of mankind. But most of mankind do not know it” (Qur’an 40:56).
[FONT=&quot]This could be understood several ways.

The world "Earth" appears 485 times in the Qur'an.[/FONT]

 

[SmileAndAHandshake]

Kindness and compassion for all life... our environment is "alive" as a whole in so many ways, let alone the individual pieces of which many are living and breathing

 

[ProScribe]

It says we have to protect take care of and preserve Mother Earth.

 

[Wicked Willow]

Only to add a little more spice to the discussion (as we all seem to be pretty much in agreement:

Witness the wisdom of Ann Coulter, right-wing postergirl and demagogue extraordinaire:

""God gave us the earth. We have dominion over the plants, the animals, the trees. God said, 'Earth is yours. Take it. Rape it. It's yours.'"---Hannity & Colmes, 6/20/01

 

[candle of hope]

Asslamu alikum ,,

Thank you dear sister for your topic , it's very good to read about other's beliefs ..

I'm a muslim so I won't not say anything because you've wrote what the Qur'an and the Hadiths teach us ..

Jazaki Allahu Khair

 

[JJWhite]

Jazaki Allahu Khair

wa iyyaki

 

[Rationalt]

If Muslims follow Muhammad and take his sermons seriously there will be considerable energy savings in Middle east.

Water is always Pure: No Need to Purify water even if it contaminated with Dead dogs ,Menstrual clothes etc;

Sunan Abu-Dawud, Book 1:
Purification (Kitab Al-Taharah)

Book 1, Number 0063:
Narrated Abdullah ibn Umar:
The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him), was asked about water (in desert country) and what is frequented by animals and wild beasts. He replied: When there is enough water to fill two pitchers, it bears no impurity.

Book 1, Number 0066:
Narrated AbuSa'id al-Khudri:
The people asked the Messenger of Allah (peace_be_upon_him): Can we perform ablution out of the well of Buda'ah, which is a well into which menstrual clothes, dead dogs and stinking things were thrown? He replied: Water is pure and is not defiled by anything.

Book 1, Number 0067:
Narrated AbuSa'id al-Khudri:
I heard that the people asked the Prophet of Allah (peace_be_upon_him): Water is brought for you from the well of Buda'ah. It is a well in which dead dogs, menstrual clothes and excrement of people are thrown. The Messenger of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) replied: Verily water is pure and is not defiled by anything.

Book 1, Number 0068:
Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas:
One of the wives of the Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) took a bath from a large bowl. The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) wanted to perform ablution or take from the water left over. She said to him: O Prophet of Allah, verily I was sexually defiled. The Prophet said: Water not defiled.

 

[JJWhite]

If Muslims follow Muhammad and take his sermons seriously there will be considerable energy savings in Middle east.

Water is always Pure: No Need to Purify water even if it contaminated with Dead dogs ,Menstrual clothes etc;

Sunan Abu-Dawud, Book 1:
Purification (Kitab Al-Taharah)

Book 1, Number 0063:
Narrated Abdullah ibn Umar:
The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him), was asked about water (in desert country) and what is frequented by animals and wild beasts. He replied: When there is enough water to fill two pitchers, it bears no impurity.

Book 1, Number 0066:
Narrated AbuSa'id al-Khudri:
The people asked the Messenger of Allah (peace_be_upon_him): Can we perform ablution out of the well of Buda'ah, which is a well into which menstrual clothes, dead dogs and stinking things were thrown? He replied: Water is pure and is not defiled by anything.

Book 1, Number 0067:
Narrated AbuSa'id al-Khudri:
I heard that the people asked the Prophet of Allah (peace_be_upon_him): Water is brought for you from the well of Buda'ah. It is a well in which dead dogs, menstrual clothes and excrement of people are thrown. The Messenger of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) replied: Verily water is pure and is not defiled by anything.

Book 1, Number 0068:
Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas:
One of the wives of the Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) took a bath from a large bowl. The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) wanted to perform ablution or take from the water left over. She said to him: O Prophet of Allah, verily I was sexually defiled. The Prophet said: Water not defiled.

Here are a few explanations of ahadith related to purity according to some scholars.

Purification | IslamToday - English

 

[Rationalt]

Here are a few explanations of ahadith related to purity according to some scholars.

Purification | IslamToday - English

The Islamic scholars are sincere to Muhammad's words.

From the Link and it's sublink:

When the Prophet (peace be upon him) was asked about the water in the well of Budâ`ah, he replied: "Water possesses the power to purify; nothing can contaminate it." This statement presents an important general principle for matters of purification in Islamic Law: that water should be assumed to have the power to purify and that the impurities it comes in contact with do not make it impure.

“Water Possesses the Power to Purify; Nothing Can Contaminate It” | IslamToday - English

No need to Purify water because water Purifies itself if it is Fiiled in Two Pitchers .The Arabs are wasting Energy in building and Burning Oil for Water desalination and distillation plants.

 

[ProScribe]

What does your religion say about the environment?

That we're responsible for it and we need to preserve and take care of it.

 

[PHenry42]

Rationalt, you do realize that this is talking about ablution and not actual drinking water?

 

[JJWhite]

Rationalt, you do realize that this is talking about ablution and not actual drinking water?

Rationalt, did you understand that a qullah is a pitcher?

Maybe you also missed the parts about the water not having any observable change, and so on.

 

[Zoness]

Earth as our home and goddess should be cared for with the utmost love and respect.

^ That with some variation to account for specific pagan traditions.

 

[Rationalt]

Rationalt, you do realize that this is talking about ablution and not actual drinking water?

Is there a difference made out Between Water being good enough for Ablution as against drinking ?.

The First Hadith say's water when filled in two pitchers become Pure.
When there is enough water to fill two pitchers, it bears no impurity.

Water remains pure even if Cat or Donkey's saliva got mixed in it.Check this link (islamic source).

 

[PHenry42]

Is there a difference made out Between Water being good enough for Ablution as against drinking ?.

Why wouldn't there? It's you who are arbitrarily equating the two.