The following article reflects the personal beliefs of Bret. We respect all of our readers’ religious beliefs and this article is not meant as a repudiation of any belief. Here at Slow the Parks we welcome all perspectives and advocate for mutual respect and understanding.
The month of December is defined in no small part by Christmas, especially here in the U.S. and other western countries. Heck, we might as well give up on the name December and just call it Christmas.
So during this month of Christmas, I wanted to share a few short thoughts on a subject that I have often found puzzling. That is the relationship between Christianity, nature, and environmentalism.
Unabashedly I would say that two of my most defining characteristics are that of being a devout Christian and a vocal environmentalist.
Much to my surprise, however, I have often found myself in the lonely intersection of these two foundational beliefs.
Simply put: Christian environmentalists are far and few between.
I have always felt sad about that fact as I believe that Christianity and environmentalism go hand in hand.
I grew up in a very Christian community. I’m talking 98% of the town was Christian. And there were lots of nature lovers, but few environmentalists.
Those who loved nature always seemed to have disdain for the idea that there were limits to how they could use nature and were at odds with those striving to protect the land—as if it was their God-given right to enjoy nature in any way they pleased, even if those pursuits were damaging to the places they loved.
And maybe it is their right, but not to this Christian.
Here’s the thing: I believe the teachings of Christ are, at the least, indirectly pro-preservation.
And the reasons why come down to the two great commandments.
Christ said we should love God “with all [our] hearts.” He also said, “do to others what you would have them do to you.”
I once lent a camera to a friend and said they were free to use it how they please and that I’d follow up with them. When I came back I found they had totally trashed the camera.
When I asked why they hadn’t been more careful they responded that they knew I’d be following up and would be able to fix the camera, so it didn’t matter if it broke.
Let’s say you were in my situation (which, to be honest, didn’t really happen), how would you feel to know someone treated a gift so poorly?
Personally, I’d feel pretty crummy. Sure I said they could use the camera but I’d hope they would treat it well.
So often this is how Christians treat the Earth. God said we have “dominion” over it, so we can exploit it how we please. One day Christ will come back and can make it all pretty again.
But does the Second Coming justify the harm we cause to God’s Earth?
Frankly, presenting the above logic to God is not a conversion I want to be part of.
Christ asked us to love God, and I believe that part of showing love is taking care of the world God gave us.
The second great commandment is to love our neighbors. When a rather sassy man asked Christ who our neighbor was Christ responded with the story of the good Samaritan—illustrating that everyone, even our enemies, is our neighbor.
Nature is enjoyed by people the world over. The destruction of that nature also hurts people throughout the world.
If we exploit nature to the point that others can no longer experience the joy that nature brings us, are we loving our neighbor?
If there is no nature for future generations to experience is this loving our neighbor?
If there is so much pollution in the air that kids can’t play outside at recess (this was the case when I lived in Utah) is this showing love to our neighbor?
No, it’s not.
What does show love?
Protecting those less fortunate than us from the consequences of dirty air and overfished oceans.
Protecting trees so that unborn folks can stand and experience the spiritual nature of an old-growth forest.
Leaving nature how we found it so others can experience it too.
Christmas (among many other things) is a holiday celebrating the birth of Christ. He came into the world to show God’s love and save all of humanity. And He asked us to follow His example. He asked us to love and he asked us to help others. I believe that protecting nature is a fundamental part of that divine request.
“There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so” ― William Shakespeare…
September 23rd is National Public Lands Day—a day to celebrate our amazing public land by…
All that urgency! Not what the earth is about! How silent the trees, their poetry…
When we imagine national parks, the images are awe-inspiring: Gravity-defying sandstone arches, two-hundred-foot tall coastal…
By Christen and Erik Phillips “I want to see Mount Rainier In person.” My wife…
“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.”Ralph Waldo Emerson Several hundred feet below…
View Comments
Well said Bret. People are dependent on the earth for our existence. We are not entitled to the earth. We are the part of nature with the ability to think and reason and choose how we act. Our actions or inaction regarding caring for the earth have consequences. As a "civilized" society we insulate ourselves from nature in our heated and cooled buildings and transportation. How lucky we are to live in such safety and comfort. We begin to feel invincible. And we become users. It is also difficult for me to understand the lack of care for the environment displayed by people who regularly recreate in the outdoors. Is it a case of wanting now more than later? Is it a lack of knowledge? Is it love of things more than love of our earth? Is it political leanings? Is it religious beliefs that somehow don't make it deep into our souls?