Ecology in Christianity & Buddhism

Ecology in Christianity

Expectation of "new heavens and new earth" is largely muted note of Christian thought to the fate of the heavens and this earth, our world, perishable, sinful, vale of endless sorrow and illusory pleasures, can not pull myself to the fact who is fully converted to Eternity. This is the unalterable conviction of the Christian consciousness, which went to worship in hermitages and exploit the desert countless adherents of the spiritual life (Ricklefs). But the real fullness of New Testament revelation is revealed in the fact that it is this, a sin of men steeped in evil God so loved the world that "he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish" John. 3, 16), and "in Christ reconciling the world unto himself". The words of the apostle, "Who says I love God, and hateth his brother is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he does not see?", with good reason could be applied to nature as a creature of God, who has no love for this world and this land - which sees - as will love the new heavens and new earth of which have not yet seen?

Tense and unilateral eschatology of the Christian consciousness, to some extent responsible for the environmental indifference in the regions of Christian culture. He was not properly balanced patristic natural philosophy (or theology, natural), which crystallized view of the world as a harmonious whole sacrament glory of his Creator (Freeman). While for many years some have relative environmental problems and qualify the precursors of "Cassandra," the global threat posed by global warming on the future of humanity has disarmed the opposition of principle.

Indeed, today more than any serious scientist denies the extraordinary scale of the phenomenon. The magnitude of the warming that is saved is greater than those known for 100 000 years. The mounted subsequent sea level (due mainly to thermal expansion of water) will in any event, the order of 0.50 m at mid-century. The energy policy that will be chosen at the time of transition can post oil still largely worsen the situation. Global warming is not the only issue that should concern us: water pollution from fertilizers and pesticides, air quality and food stress on biodiversity are also recognized by all as a major concern .

However, as the finding is not questioned, as the proposed solutions are much less consensus, the fault lines that reproduce the ideological origins of each. Nature or, in theological terms, Creation, is basic to the Christian faith (Gore). The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us of the beauty of the universe, order and harmony of the created world, reflect "the infinite beauty of the creator" and should "inspire respect and submission of man's intelligence and his will." And the Social Doctrine of the Church tells us "the salvation which God offers to all mankind through His ...