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Should we care for environment? Should we care for environment?
Yes, it is immoral to abuse the environment Yes, it is immoral to abuse the environment
Yes, religion tells us to care for the environment Yes, religion tells us to care for the environment
No, human superiority allows us to use the environment for its instrumental value No, human superiority allows us to use the environment for its instrumental value
No, religion tells us that we should use the environment for its instrumental value No, religion tells us that we should use the environment for its instrumental value
Discriminating against animals is akin to racism Discriminating against animals is akin to racism
The planet is the only thing with intrinsic value The planet is the only thing with intrinsic value
Caring for the environment will ensure the longevity of the human race Caring for the environment will ensure the longevity of the human race
Every other animal cares for the environment, so should we Every other animal cares for the environment, so should we
By protecting and nourishing the environment, we are realising our full potential By protecting and nourishing the environment, we are realising our full potential
God entrusted us with the environment God entrusted us with the environment
Only humans are capable of reason Only humans are capable of reason
God made humans superior God made humans superior
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Should we care for environment?
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Yes, religion tells us to care for the environment

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God entrusted us with the environment

For Christians, Old Testament passages can be interpreted as God bestowing the world to us so that we trust it
Pope John Paul II
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Context

This is now the most predominant view amongst theologians, they argue that the Old Testament should be re-interpreted.

The Argument

Whilst the message in the first chapter of Genesis is clearly that of God giving the planet and everything that came with it to humans, many passages of subsequent chapters of Genesis and the wider Old Testament show that we have a God given duty to care for the environment. When God puts Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, God tells them to "work it and take care of it," (Genesis 2:15). Pope John Paul II also thought that the reason humans were special is because God entrusted the whole of creation to man and woman and only then could he rest from "all his work". The whole of creation is of value to God, after God has made man, he sees everything that he as made and proclaims "it was very good," (Genesis 1:31) showing that humans give added value to a universe he already values. John Paul II noted that Jesus has made new all things - "all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross" (Colossians 1:19-20)

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This page was last edited on Thursday, 14 Jan 2021 at 18:49 UTC