Gem ppt-10-eco-friendly religions

RELIGIONS
CARE FOR
MOTHER
EARTH
PPT-10
Green Earth Movement
An E-Newsletter for the cause of Environment, Peace, Harmony and Justice
Remember - “you and I can decide the future”

Whether we are actively religious or
not, religious belief permeates the
very fabric of our existence. Namely,
it influences – if not directly shapes –
our legal systems; and therefore our
constitutions; and therefore our
nations‘ policy choices, both at home
and abroad.
It is then only logical to surmise that
Religion also influences how we -- individually and collectively --
view our role with regards to protecting the environment.
To suggest that any one religion somehow cares more for the
Earth than the others would be foolish and simplistic, but within
each belief system there lie subtle differences that, many argue,
give an indication as to how we view our position in relation to it.

As Lynn White wrote in what many view as a
groundbreaking, yet controversial 1967 essay, "The
Historical Roots of Our Ecological Crisis," published in
Science magazine: "What people do about their ecology
depends on what they think about themselves in relation
to things around them. Human ecology is deeply
conditioned by beliefs about our nature and destiny --
that is, by religion.“

World's Leading Religions by Followers
(from Adherents.com)
• Christianity: 2.1 billion • Islam: 1.5
billion
• Hinduism: 900 million • Buddhism:
376 million

How each religion
treats environment?

1. HINDUISM
Hinduism is a remarkably diverse religious and
Cultural phenomenon, with many local and regional
manifestations. Within this universe of beliefs, several
important themes emerge. The diverse theologies of
Hinduism suggest that:
• The earth can be seen as a manifestation of the goddess, and must
be treated with respect.
• The five elements -- space, air, fire, water and earth -- are the
foundation of an interconnected web of life.
• Dharma -- often translated as "duty" -- can be reinterpreted to
include our responsibility to care for the earth.
• Simple living is a model for the development of sustainable
economies.
• Our treatment of nature directly affects our karma.
Gandhi exemplified many of these teachings, and his example
continues to inspire contemporary social, religious and environmental

Pancha Mahabhutas (The five great elements) create a web of life that
is shown forth in the structure and interconnectedness of the cosmos
and the human body. Hinduism teaches that the five great elements
(space, air, fire, water and earth) that constitute the environment are
all derived from prakriti, the primal energy. Each
of these elements has its own life and form; together
the elements are interconnected and
interdependent. The Upanishads explains the
interdependence of these elements in relation to
Brahman, the supreme reality, from which they arise:
"From Brahman arises space, from space arises air, from
air arises fire, from fire arises water, and from water arises earth.“
Hinduism recognizes that the human body is composed of and related
to these five elements, and connects each of the elements to one of the
five senses. The human nose is related to earth, tongue to water, eyes
to fire, skin to air and ears to space. This bond between our senses and
the elements is the foundation of our human relationship with the natural
world. For Hinduism, nature and the environment are not outside us, not
alien or hostile to us. They are an inseparable part of our existence, and
they constitute our very bodies.

Ishavasyam -- Divinity is omnipresent and takes infinite
forms. Hindu texts, such as the Bhagavad Gita (7.19, 13.13) and
the Bhagavad Purana (2.2.41, 2.2.45), contain many references to
the omnipresence of the Supreme divinity, including its presence
throughout and within nature. Hindus worship and accept the
presence of God in nature. For example, many Hindus think of
India's mighty rivers -- such as the Ganges -- as goddesses. In the
Mahabharata, it is noted that the universe and every object in it
has been created as an abode of the Supreme God meant for the
benefit of all, implying that individual species should enjoy their
role within a larger system, in relationship with other species.

Protecting the environment is part of Dharma.
Dharma, one of the most important Hindu concepts, has
been translated into English as duty, virtue, cosmic order
and religion. In Hinduism, protecting the environment is
an important expression of dharma. In past centuries,
Indian communities -- like other traditional communities
-- did not have an understanding of "the environment"
as separate from the other spheres of activity in their
lives.
A number of rural Hindu communities such as the Bishnois, Bhils and
Swadhyaya have maintained strong communal practices to protect local
ecosystems such as forests and water sources. These communities carry
out these conservation-oriented practices not as "environmental" acts but
rather as expressions of dharma. When Bishnois are protecting animals and
trees, when Swadhyayis are building Vrikshamandiras (tree temples) and
Nirmal Nirs (water harvesting sites) and when Bhils are practicing their
rituals in sacred groves, they are simply expressing their reverence for
creation according to Hindu teachings, not "restoring the environment."
These traditional Indian groups do not see religion, ecology and ethics as
separate arenas of life. Instead, they understand it to be part of their

Our environmental actions affect our
karma. Karma, a central Hindu
teaching, holds that each of our
actions creates consequences --
good and bad -- which constitute our
karma and determine our future fate,
including the place we will assume
when we are reincarnated in our next
life. Moral behavior creates good
karma, and our behavior toward the
environment has karmic
consequences. Because we have
free choice, even though we may
have harmed the environment in the
past, we can choose to protect the
environment in the future, replacing
environmentally destructive karmic
patterns with good ones.

The earth -- Devi -- is a goddess and our mother and deserves
our devotion and protection. Many Hindu rituals recognize that
human beings benefit from the earth, and offer gratitude and
protection in response. Many Hindus touch the floor before getting
out of bed every morning and ask Devi to forgive them for trampling
on her body. Millions of Hindus create kolams daily -- artwork
consisting of bits of rice or other food placed at their doorways in the
morning. These kolams express Hindu's desire to offer sustenance to
the earth, just as the earth sustains themselves. The Chipko
movement -- made famous by Chipko women's commitment to
"hugging" trees in their community to protect them from clear-cutting
by outside interests -- represents a similar devotion to the earth.

Gandhi is a role model for simple
living.
Gandhi's entire life can be seen as an
Ecological treatise. This is one life in
which every minute act, emotion or
thought functioned much like an
ecosystem: his small meals of nuts and
fruits, his morning ablutions and everyday bodily
practices, his periodic observances of silence, his
morning walks, his cultivation of the small as much as of
the big, his spinning wheel, his abhorrence of waste, his
resorting to basic Hindu and Jain values of truth,
nonviolence, celibacy and fasting. The moralists,
nonviolent activists, feminists, journalists, social
reformers, trade union leaders, peasants, prohibitionists,
nature-cure lovers, renouncers and environmentalists all

2. CHRISTIANITY
Christianity," wrote White, "Not only
established a dualism of man and nature but
also insisted that it is God's will that man exploit
nature for his proper ends." The emergence of
Christianity, many, like White believe, marked
the moment humans broke away from
previously common held beliefs that all beings,
all forms of life -- including plants -- had spirits (or souls). "In
antiquity every tree, every spring, every stream, every hill had its
own genius loci, its guardian spirit," he wrote. And Christianity
changed all that, he believed. Man was created in God's image,
Christians believed, and notably Man was created at the end of
creation and humans therefore inherited the Earth. "By destroying
pagan animism," White wrote. "Christianity made it possible to
exploit nature in a mood of indifference to the feelings of natural
objects.“

Many disagree -- and indeed are offended by -- the assertion that
Christians do not care for the Earth and all of its beings and have
dismissed White's conclusions. Marcia
Bunge in her 1994 essay, "Biblical Views
of Nature: Foundations for an
Environmental Ethic," published by
Chicago's Lutheran School of Theology's
journal "Care of the Earth," claimed the
Bible "contains ample grounds for
environmental responsibility.” Bunge
cited examples such as the story of
Noah as evidence that God's covenant was not just with humans
but with all creatures; that the name Adam stemming from the
Hebrew word 'adamah', meaning ground or earth implied "the
connection between human beings and the earth," and that, in the
New Testament, Paul's vision of redemption or liberation through
Christ's death did not just apply to humans but "of all creatures of
nature".

Pope Paul VI (1963-1978)
“While the horizon of man is thus being modified
according to the images that are chosen for him,
another transformation is making itself felt, one which
is the dramatic and unexpected consequence of
human activity. Man is suddenly becoming aware that
by an ill-considered exploitation of nature he risks
destroying it and becoming in his turn the victim of this
degradation. Not only is the material environment
becoming a permanent menace - pollution and refuse,
new illness and absolute destructive capacity - but the
human framework is no longer under man's control,
thus creating an environment for tomorrow which may
well be intolerable. This is a wide-ranging social
problem which concerns the entire human family. The
Christian must turn to these new perceptions in order
to take on responsibility, together with the rest of men,
for a destiny which from now on is shared by all”.

POPE JOHN PAUL II (1978-2005)
“When concern for economic and
technological progress is not
accompanied by concern for the
balance of the ecosystem, our
earth is inevitably exposed to serious
environmental damage, with consequent harm to human
beings. Blatant disrespect for the environment will
continue as long as the earth and its potential are seen
merely as objects of immediate use and consumption, to
be manipulated by an unbridled desire for profit. It is the
duty of Christians and of all who look to God as the
Creator to protect the environment by restoring a sense
of reverence for the whole of God's creation. It is the
Creator's will that man should treat nature not as a
ruthless exploiter but as an intelligent and responsible

POPE BENEDICT THE XVI (2005-
2013)
“Protecting the natural environment in order to
build a world of peace is thus a duty incumbent
upon each and all. It is an urgent challenge, one
to be faced with renewed and concerted
commitment; it is also a providential opportunity
to hand down to coming generations the
prospect of a better future for all. May this be
clear to world leaders and to those at every level
who are concerned for the future of humanity:
the protection of creation and peacemaking are
profoundly linked! For this reason, I invite all
believers to raise a fervent prayer to God, the
all-powerful Creator and the Father of mercies,
so that all men and women may take to heart the
urgent appeal: If you want to cultivate peace,

POPE FRANCIS SAYS:
Creation is not a
property, which we
can rule over at
will; or, even less,
is the property of only a few: Creation is a
gift, it is a wonderful gift that God has
given us, so that we care for it and we use
it for the benefit of all, always with great
respect and gratitude.

3 . ISLAM
Responsible stewardship is a
Theme also shared by Muslims.
In "Environmental Protection in
Islam“ published by the
Meteorology and Environmental
Protection Administration of the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia, Prophet Muhammad's stance on the
environment is quite clear:
"Created beings are the dependents of God, and the
creature dearest unto God is he who does most good to
God's dependents," it says. Humans' good deeds
therefore, "are not limited to the benefit of the human
species but rather extend to the benefit of all created
beings.“

Quran 2:30 “…Your Lord said unto the angels: “Lo! I am about to place
a viceroy on the earth…,” and Quran 22:65 “Do you not see that God
has made subject to you (humans) all that is on the
earth”
In Islam, Muslims believe that man has been
given a responsibility by Allah (i.e., Arabic for
God) on this earth and that man will be
accountable to God for his actions and the
trust placed in him. Prophet Muhammad said,
”Everyone of you is a guardian and is Responsible for his charges. The
ruler who has authority over people is a guardian and is responsible for
them”
(Sahih Bukhari 3.46.730). Islam has urged humanity to be kind to nature
and not to abuse the trust that has been placed on the shoulders of
man. In fact, to be kind to animals is an integral part of Islam for
Muslims. There are two primary sources defining Islam: The Quran
(Muslim Holy Book) and the Hadith (the example, sayings, and actions
of Prophet Muhammad). Both emphasize the accountability and
responsibility of man toward the rest of creation.

Prophet Muhammad announced the rewards of caring
for animals and the importance of avoiding cruelty to
animals. He urged kindness toward all living things. He
recounted a case of a women who was insensitive and
cruel to her cat. She had kept locked up until it died of
hunger. So God punished her for it on the Day of
Judgment. “God said (to the woman), ‘You neither fed it
nor watered it when you locked it up, nor did you set it
free to eat the insects of the earth.” (Sahih Bukhari). This
was 1400 years ago — long before it became
fashionable or
“politically correct” to care about
“animal rights.” Yet even in this
barbaric time the Prophet had
banned forcing animals to fight for
human entertainment (Sunan Abu

Nature and environment have always
played an important part in the lives of
devout Muslims. Muslims understand that
God has not created all this for nothing. In
fact, Muslims have been commanded to
find the wonderful signs of God around
them so that they will only increase them in
their awe of their Rabb (Cherisher and
Sustainer). Behold! in the creation of the
heavens and the earth, and the alternation
of night and day- there are indeed Signs for
men of understanding men who celebrate
the praises of God, standing, sitting, and
lying down on their sides, and contemplate
the (wonders of) creation in the heavens
and the earth (with the thought): “Our Lord!
not for nothing have You created (all) this!
Glory to You! Give us salvation from the

Lo! the squanderers were ever brothers of the devils,
and the devil was ever an ingrate to his Lord. Quran
17.27.
Muslims have been enjoined to avoid waste and
ingratitude to their Lord. Muslims strive to find the signs
of God in nature to glorify their Lord, to thank Him, and
to order their world in the manner in which their Rabb
(Cherisher and Sustainer) wishes it to be ordered. They
do not disorder their world in heedlessness of their Rabb
in search of self-gratification, greed, and waste and with
ingratitude to their Lord.

Similar to the Jewish and Christian
faiths, human beings are seen in Islam
as stewards of the environment, but
more in line with Judaism, a principal
belief amongst Muslims is that, a
human is "only a manager of the
earth and not a proprietor." Therein
lies among Muslims an appreciation of
a profound duty to protect the Earth, many believe. But
vitally,
the belief system is not just based on what humans do now,
more what they set up for humans to come. Continuing the
theme of stewardship, we are permitted to enjoy the fruits of
the earth, but Earth must not be ruined for our descendents:
"Man should not abuse, misuse, or distort the natural
resources as each generation is entitled to benefit from them
but is not entitled to "own" them in an absolute sense.“

4. BUDDHISM
Buddhism – with all its different subsets is
viewed by many as the most environmentally
friendly religion. In fact, Buddhism represents
the way of compassion. The Buddha
manifested a complete compassion and is
respectfully seen as the compassionate protector of all
beings. He taught that for those who wishes to follow his
Path should practice loving-kindness, not to harm the life
of all beings - not only to protect mankind, but also to
protect animals and vegetation. With his perfect wisdom,
He saw all beings in the universe were equal in nature,
and in this phenomenal world, lives of all human and
animals were inter-related, mutually developing, and
inseparable.

Buddhism teaches to mankind live a contended life.
Living in contentment does not mean the elimination of
desire of knowledge and truth, but to live
in harmony with all beings and
with nature. On that basis, those
who understand the Buddha's
teaching will limit their selfishness,
to live in harmony with nature,
without harming the
environment. They will see what
should be explored and to what level, what should be
protected for future use by the next generations and
other beings. Excessive greed to possess everything for
themselves, or for their own group, has make men
becoming blind.

For thousand years, the Buddhist forest monasteries have
manifested a harmonious living with nature, being established in
the mountains, in the forests. Tranquil life in the forest helped
Buddhist practitioners to improved their inner mind, and at the
same time, they also worked for the protection of animals living in
the area. With loving and tolerant heart, the Buddhists live with
natural vegetation, wild animals in the forest in harmony and for
mutual survival.
Today, we can still see the landscape
of a number of temples and meditation
retreats in Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, ...
located in native forests, with green
vegetation, clean and refreshing ponds
and lakes, clean air, and a variety of
species living in peace. These are locations which attract people
from all directions coming to enjoy the nature, finding peace of
mind, getting away from noisy and polluted places.

5. SIKHISM
The Sikh scripture, Guru Granth Sahib, declares that the purpose
of human beings is to achieve a blissful state and to be in
harmony with the earth and all of God's creation. The Sikh Gurus
showed the world the way to live in harmony with the environment
and all their constructions adhered to this principle. Guru Har Rai,
the seventh Sikh Guru developed Kiratpur Sahib as a town of
parks and gardens. Located on the banks of tributary of the Sutlej,
he planted flowers and fruit bearing trees all over the area. This
created a salubrious environment, attracting beautiful birds to the
town and turning it into an idyllic place to live in.

The Sikh Scriptures emphasis the importance of the elements in
this Shabad (hymn):
Air is the Guru, Water is the Father,
and Earth is the Great Mother of all.
Day and night are the two nurses, in
whose lap all the world is at play.
Good deeds and bad deeds-the record
is read out in the Presence of the Lord of
Dharma.
The importance of Air, Water and Earth to life are emphasised
over and over again in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib. The earth is
referred to as the mother and as such requires the our respect.
Great care needs to be taken to ensure that no damage occurs to
it while the Sikh is going about his or her daily life. The pollution of
these 3 elements is against the principles laid down by the Gurus.

6. JUDAISM
Christians are not the only ones looking for guidance
in the Old Testament. But when drawing from Genesis,
the Jewish faith is not so much divided, many believe,
more to say appreciative of two opposing ideas that
can happily co-exist. As Daniel B. Fink's 1998 essay,
"Judaism and Ecology: A Theology of Creation",
published in "Earth Ethics", explains: "We are both a part of nature and apart
from it." Jews understand, Fink says, that the fact that Man was created at the
end of the sixth day could have two possible meanings: either humans are the
"guest[s] of honor" at a great feast, or, it's a reminder in case humans become
too arrogant "that even the gnats preceded them in the order of creation".
In that regard, the perception is that humans have a "unique" responsibility to
"use nature's bounty to our benefit" while also recognizing that "each part of
God's creation has its own intrinsic value". Humans, in the Jewish
interpretation, are the stewards of the Garden of Eden, but vitally, they are
looking after it for God, not for themselves. Underlying the Jewish ethic, Fink
writes, is the belief that humans are "only tenants on this earth. The land
belongs to God. We are given permission to enjoy the Creator's abundant gifts,
but we must not waste or wantonly destroy anything."

10 TEACHINGS ON JUDAISM AND
ENVIRONMENT
•God created the universe.
•God's Creation is good.
•Human beings are created in the
image of God.
•Humanity should view their place in Creation
with love and awe.
•The Sabbath and prayer help us to achieve
this state of mind.
•The Torah prohibits the wasteful consumption of anything.
•The Torah gives an obligation to save human life.
•The Torah prohibits the extinction of species and causing undo
pain to non-human creatures.
•Environmental Justice is a Jewish value.
•Tikkun Olam: The perfection/fixing of the world is in our hands.

7. JAINISM
Jainism ( जैनधर्म - Jainadharma) is
one of the most environmentally
Conscious religions in the world. The
religion is based on the principal of
non-violence towards all living
beings. The religion is thought to
have its roots in the Indus Valley Civilization and the
later Vedic Civilization, a period of intense
philosophical deliberations on the Indian
subcontinent. Jainism was firmly established in India
between 9th and 6th century BC. Today, there are
over 4 million followers of Jainism in India and
around the world.

Jain Agams depict nature in a very
unique way as it says that five main
elements of nature; Prithvi (land, soil,
stones, etc), Jal (Water resources
including cloud), Agni (Fire), Vayu (Air)
and Aakash (Sky) are living creatures
and must be treated as living beings.
These five types of elements go on to
form five classes of beings such as
vegetation, trees and plants, fungi and
animals. This unique concept of
Jainism restricts its followers to harm
any creature and eventually leads to
limited consumption as well as help in
protecting environment.
WHEN WE SUMMARISE ALL THAT WAS SAID ABOVE,
WE CAN CONCLUDE THAT:

This educational PowerPoint Presentation (editable) is
prepared by GEM Team (courtesy: internet).
For other similar GEM PowerPoint Presentations on
various environmental issues see next slide.
These PPTs may be downloaded from our website
www.infantjesusjogeshwari.in
The GEM PPTs can be creatively used for various
groups like school/college students, NGOs,
government officials, Church groups, SCC groups,
housing society members and so on.

1. Twenty Simple Tips
2. Solar Energy
3. Junk Food
4. Plastic – a boon or bane?
5. Green Passion
6. Zero Garbage
7. Soft drink – A Health Hazard
8. Waste to energy
9. Rain Water Harvesting
10. Eco-friendly Religions
11. Happy Green Diwali
12. Climate Change
13. The future of Biodiversity
14. Genetically Modified Foods
15. Waste Water Treatment
16. Body, Organ, Tissue Donation
17. Organic Farming
18. Waste to cooking gas
19. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
20. Protect Mangroves
21. Say NO to Bottled water
22. Save Lakes and Ponds
23. Forests are green lungs
24. Coal Mining and Ecology
25. Sin of Food Waste
26. Climate change and Poverty
27. Stop Water Pollution
28. Carbon Footprints
29. Parks and Open Spaces
30. Rising Sea Levels
31. Laudato Si – Pope’s Encyclical
32. Air Pollution
33. Life Style Changes
34. Laudato Si – Fr Gerard
35. Water Pollution
36. Sand Mining
37. Kids Eco Clubs
38. Water Disaster

For Free GEM E-Newsletters visit –
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Go to GEM section,
click GEM E-NEWSLETTERS

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