User:A ceja1994/sandbox

From [Environmental ethics]

Applied Theology
The Christian world view sees the universe as created by God, and humankind accountable to God for the use of the resources entrusted to humankind. Ultimate values are seen in the light of being valuable to God. This applies both in breadth of scope - caring for people (Matthew 25) and environmental issues, e.g. environmental health (Deuteronomy 22.8; 23.12-14) - and dynamic motivation, the love of Christ controlling (2 Corinthians 5.14f) and dealing with the underlying spiritual disease of sin, which shows itself in selfishness and thoughtlessness. In many countries this relationship of accountability is symbolised at harvest thanksgiving. (B.T. Adeney : Global Ethics in New Dictionary of Christian Ethics and Pastoral Theology 1995 Leicester)


 * Additions**

Formerly, there was an effort to show that humans are separated from nature by theologians. This attempt served as a justification for consumptive nature in terms of natural resources. An example of this attitude can be found in the story of Manifest Destiny around the time of the industrial revolution. Westward expansion was driven by the idea that God has intended the use of this land by European Descendants. From this unsustainable point of view, a more productive one has risen. Authors like Henry D. Thoreau and John Muir implore their readers to see the inherent and intrinsic value in nature, rather than that of the anthropocentric.

Final Draft of Additions
Abrahamic religious scholars have used theology to motivate the public. John L. O'Sullivan, who coined the term Manifest destiny, and other influential people like him used Abrahamic ideologies to encourage action. These religious scholars, columnists and politicians historically have used these ideas and continue to do so to justify the consumptive tendencies of a young America around the time of the Industrial Revolution. In order to solidify the understanding that God had intended for humankind to use earths natural resources, environmental writers and religious scholars alike proclaimed that humans are separate from nature, on a higher order. Those that may critique this point of view may ask the same question that John Muir asks ironically in a section of his novel A Thousand Mile Walk to the Gulf, why are there so many dangers in the natural world in the form of poisonous plants, animals and natural disasters, The answer is that those creatures are a result of Adam and Eve's sins in the garden of Eden.

Since the beginning of the 20th century, the application of theology had shifted in environmentalism. Jay Norwood Darling brought issues surrounding the conservation of natural resources to national attention in the 1920's through his editorial cartoons. John Muir personified nature as an inviting place away from the loudness of urban centers. "For Muir and the growing number of Americans who shared his views, Satan’s home had become God’s Own Temple." The use of Abrahamic religious allusions assisted Muir and the Sierra Club to create support for some of the first public nature preserves.

Authors like Terry Tempest Williams as well as John Muir build on the idea that "...God can be found wherever you are, especially outside. Family worship was not just relegated to Sunday in a chapel.” References like these assist the general public to make a connection between paintings done at the Hudson River School, Ansel Adam's photographs, along with other types of media, and their religion or spirituality. Placing intrinsic value upon nature through theology is a fundamental idea of Deep Ecology.

COMMENTS
Nice start on this. A few questions: what kinds of theologians attempted to show that "humans are separated from nature"? Is it the Abrahamic religions? It certainly would not be those of more nature-centric traditions. In other words, be sure you articulate the assumptions and contexts of the sources you are using. If you are primarily referencing traditions using the Bible, then you could say Biblical scholars. Another challenge in clarifying what you are trying to say is avoiding the language that enacts the very binaries you may well be calling attention to. For example, line like "Henry D. Thoreau and John Muir implore their readers to see the inherent and intrinsic value in nature, rather than that of the anthropocentric" re-inscribes a binary in a way that you may not intend. Finally, are you intending to make any edits to the section that precedes this? Make sure you explain to your reader here where exactly your bit or bits are going.