Religion and the Environment

I personally believe that the environment should be a key component of religion. I personally feel more in touch with god at the top of a mountain than sitting in church. Religious connections with the environment could also help reduce the negative effects that human habitation is having on the Earth's climate. If the natural wonders of the world were considered sacred, people would fight to protect them. Many important religious artifacts, and structures have been granted special protection, why not environmental wonders as well? If polluting the environment was deemed unholy, there would be a drastic decline in the amount of pollutants released into the environment every day. The incorporation of environmental topics in religious views is not a new idea. Many religious around the world have found spiritual solace in the natural world. In ancient Japan people practice the Shinto religion. Shintoism views natural forces (wind, rain, lightning) as the work of deity's, meaning that every natural occurrence is sacred. Because of this the environment of pre-industrial Japan was wild and beautiful.

I also read "Religion and the Environment" by Robin Gill. In this article Ms. Gill explains that Many followers of the Christian and Jewish faiths have been lured into a false sense of ownership of the environment. Instead of controlling the environment, people must assume the role of stewards of the environment. If being a good steward of the environment was considered holy, the earth's climate would not be changing.