What does this mean in practice?
For many Christians, the guiding principles are to respect God's handiworkThings that have been made or crafted by a person's own efforts. of creationThe act of bringing something into existence. In religion, this refers to the creation of the world by God., not to exploit any aspect of creation and to be aware of the needs of future generations. Many Christians apply these principles to the question of looking after the environment in a variety of ways.
The CatholicA group of Christians who accept the Pope in Rome as their leader. has responded to the challenges raised by environmental issues by stressing the need for every individual and every nation to play their part. The important points that the Church makes include the beliefs that:
- creation has value because it reveals something about God the creator
- creation has value in itself
- humanity depends on God but everyone has a responsibility for the world and the environment
Pope John Paul IIReigned as Pope of the Catholic Church from 1978 until his death in 2005. said:
…the dominion granted to man by the Creator is not an absolute power, nor can one speak of a freedom to 'use and misuse', or to dispose of things as one pleases.
The Church of EnglandThe English branch of the Anglican Church. has made many statements about environmental issues. The Anglican Communion Environmental Network has made the following statement on the environment:
Christianity is first and foremost a concern for the whole of the created order — biodiversity and business; politics and pollution; rivers, religion and rainforests... If Christians believe in Jesus they must recognise that concern for climate change is not an optional extra but a core matter of faith.
The evangelicalGroup, or church, placing particular emphasis on the gospel and the scriptures as the sole authority in all matters of faith and conduct. churches are very aware of how much environmental issues are linked to human poverty:
We recognise that poverty forces people to degrade creation in order to survive; therefore we support the development of just, free economies which empower the poor and create abundance without diminishing creation's bounty.
This principle could apply to the issue of deforestation, especially when it is carried out by poor people who are trying to grow enough food for their families.
The QuakerA member of the Society of Friends, a Christian denomination whose central belief is that every human being contains a reflection of the image of God. are very conscious of humanity's effects on the Earth. They encourage their members to make changes in their lives which enable them to live simply and minimise their exploitation of the Earth:
Where we see crisis, we also see opportunity to remake society as a communion of people living sustainably as part of the natural world. By leading the simpler lives of a low-carbon society, we draw nearer to the abundance of peace, freedom and true community.
