Christianity and the Environment

Aims/ Objectives: To recap some of the secular issues relating to the care of the environment. To look at Christian responses to the above issues and their justification to these. To develop a class mind map of the topic as a revision and to prepare for an end of module test.

Secular Issues Medical Testing Alien Species Pollution Necessary evil / Last resort Medical Testing Alien Species Invalid results / Cruel Unnecessary / Cruel Pollution Cosmetics Testing Accident/ Injuries Protects people Secular Issues Islandisatioin Health /Poverty / Environmental Costs Deforestation Vegetarianism Natural / Protein / Superiority Extinction of Habitat Intensive / Battery Farming Methods Organic / Free Range

Concepts / Ideas Sanctity of Life Dominion Stewardship Conservation The ideas that life is sacred as it is a gift from God Dominion Stewardship Concepts / Ideas Mankind has been given authority over the world The responsibility to care for the planet on behalf of God. Conservation Preserving the natural environment

Biblical Quotes Genesis Chapters 1 & 2 Deuteronomy 20:19 Psalm 24:1 When you are trying to capture a city, do not cut down its fruit trees… Eat the fruit , but do not destroy the trees; the trees are not your enemy. The Genesis stories can be interpreted to show that all life has inherent value but that natural resources and animals are there for us to use. Deuteronomy 20:19 Good people take care of their animals, but wicked people are cruel to theirs. Psalm 24:1 Proverbs 12: 10 “The world and all that is in it belong to the Lord” Biblical Quotes Exodus 23: 10-11 Genesis 1: 29 For six years sow your field and gather what it produces. But in the seventh year let it rest, and do not harvest anything that grows in it. I have provided all kinds of grain and all kinds of food for you to eat. Genesis 1 29-30 & 9:2-3 Psalm 8: 6-8 God tells Adam that he has given him birds and animals as food. “All the animals, birds and fish live in fear of you. They are all placed under your power. Now you can eat them, as well as green plants; I give them all to you as food.” “You appointed them rulers over everything you made; You placed them over all creation: Sheep and cattle, and the wild animals too;

Church Views Catholic Church Church of England Quaker Caring for the environment is an act of worship. “Justice in the World” Drew attention to rich nations exploiting natural resources.(1971) “On Social Concern” (Pope) Moral response to the environment on consumption and conservation. (1988) Similar to Catholics. Humans ought to act as stewards. Man in His living Environment (1970) The General Synod (1992): Just & economical use of the earths resources. Curtail damage to flora and Fauna and encourage others to do the same. Stabilisation of population. Oppose testing for cosmetic purposes. “ medical & scientific experiments on animals are morally acceptable since they may help to save human lives,” (Catholic Bishops Conference) “Animals, like plants and innate beings, are by nature destined for the common good of past, present and future humanity.” (Catechism) Eating of meat is acceptable. Church Views Oppose testing for cosmetic purposes. “that we believe that human beings have more value than animals. But the fact that we minimise the pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm that animals may have to undergo shows that we regard them as having intrinsic value.” Eating of meat is acceptable. Quaker The world and everything in it are a gift from God. The world ought to be passed on to the next generation in at least as good a state as when they received it. Many Quakers are vegetarian as they believe all living creatures have a part of God in them. Decision is left to individual conscience. (Vegetarianism & Experimentation)

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