I think it is appropriate to give a quick overview of what I want this blog to be.
Growing faith is one component of an independent study course I am currently taking. The idea for this independent study was inspired by a previous course I took one year ago, on Religion and Ecology. This course, taught by Professor Cynthia Moe-Lobeda at Seattle University exposed me to the movement to connect faith and environmental work throughout the world. Since taking this class I have had the incredible opportunity to serve as a volunteer and intern at Earth Ministry, a Seattle based Christian Environmental Non-profit.
Through my work with Earth Ministry, and continuing theology courses at Seattle University I have found great excitement in learning about and participating in the budding Environmental Faith Activism movement.
As the year has gone on I have recognized within my self the need for intentional thought on the subject of empowerment. I find a startling ability to despair when I learn about the pain in God's creation. It seems to me that if anything can provide hope in light of the immense environmental degradation in our world, faith traditions can. What is it then that faith traditions can provide? What is the role that they play in empowering their people to take action on social and environmental justice issues? And finally, what misunderstandings about or untruths are we as people of faith believing that create disempowerment within us?
These are the questions that I hope to begin discussing in my independent study course. My hope is that this blog can be a space for discussion on these questions and more.
Peace and Blessings,
Mikaila
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3 comments:
I think you idea is wonderful! Please keep the good work. I'll be reading your blog and participating as much as I can. I teach Environmental Science and Environmental Studies at Warner Pacific College. One of my students also started a blog ( http://stewardshipfordummies.blogspot.com/ )
Best regards!
Blessed Earth Day! I'm very excited about this area of combined study, and that you are finding yourself challenged by it. As a person of faith, and a lover of nature, it is only natural to connect these two vital and life-giving aspects of life, and yet seeing myself as a steward of the environment has not been as apparent to me as one might think it should. I think part of the reason for that is that I habitually have seen the environment as taking care of me, rather than seeing myself taking care of the environment. Yes, I've recycled for many years, and tried to be relatively conscious about the environment, but still, essentially I think I have related to the environment in this more immature way. It's embarrassing, but there it is. I think stewardship and care taking are very mature and responsible things to take on. I think many of us - both persons of faith and lovers of nature - see ourselves as being part of God's Creation, but more receivers than care takers.
Also, it may have to do with how one defines the word "dominion." Is it a word which denotes care taking, or power over? Can it be both? More later.
Francylg
"What is it then that faith traditions can provide? What is the role that they play in empowering their people to take action on social and environmental justice issues?"
Greetings! I am a long time activist with the Coalition on the Environment & Jewish Life, and have been involved in many interfaith projects as well.
The question above came up at our "Green Faith" retreat last week. I responded that faith allows me to believe in miracles, even while our assault on creation continues and can make for a pessimistic and even dispairing outlook.
We recently celebrated Passover, where miracles abounded in allowing the exodus of the Israelites to succeed. A favorite commentary of mine is the story of Nachshon, who courageously (foolishly?) walked into the Red Sea shoulder deep, and only then did the sea part. And so the miracles, I believe, are intimately connected to our partnering with the Divine.
But I also have a basic, gut response to the question about the role of faith traditions, and that relates to the inner knowledge that there is meaning to our world, to our existence. There is meaning to our behaving justly, to living sustainably, to crying out against injustice, even if we do not always see positive results. Ultimately we believe that our actions are noticed and are important.
This for me is the meaning of the third part of the Benediction or Priestly Blessing, which states: "May the Holy One lift His/Her face towards you (pay attention to you) and grant you wholeness and peace."
I believe the Holy One desires to regard us- and also that we need to partner by blessing each other in this work.
Barak Gale
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