Christian Environmental Ethics - 1517 Words

Research Essay: 20876077 Through the study of scripture, Christian movements and the views of historical and contemporary figures, it can be said that Christian ethical teachings have a significant influence on the lives of its adherents. A prime example of the effects of these teachings is the nature and practice of Christian environmental ethics. The Stanford Encyclopaedia of Philosophy defines environmental ethics as the discipline in philosophy that studies the moral relationship of human beings to, and also the value and moral status of, the environment and its nonhuman contents. Although each denomination has its own unique manner of judging ethical understanding, the basic and fundamental structures of their environmental†¦show more content†¦The passage of John 10:11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep† emphasises the importance of animals in the hierarchy of creation and Christian’s responsibility to protect and care for them. The issue o f Deforestation has been high on the global environmental agenda for many years, and remains a serious problem today. In the tropics and many other parts of the world, nations continue to lose the valuable biodiversity, soil and water conservation, and climate regulation that natural forests provide. Christianity can only address this matter by continuing to combine an acceptance of the command to people to ‘multiply and replenish the earth’ (Genesis 1:28) with a balancing injunction to act as stewards of the environment. Charities such as Christian Ecology Link and World Vision work to increase awareness of the current ecological crisis and encourage adherents to live sustainably and make ‘green’ consumption choices. Significant contemporary and historical religious figures have also had been highly influential towards the ethical attitudes and practices of Christians. The Roman Catholic Church has issued a number of statements on the environment. In 1985 the German Roman CatholicShow MoreRelatedChristians and The Environmental Ethics958 Words   |  4 Pages An environmentalist is a person worships the environment and cares for nature more than people. Christians and others share the common perception that environmental ethics exist for how human beings should relate to the land, the free market perceptive and the environmental perceptive. Humans share a relationship with all creations of the earth. But as humans, they find themselves as having a role in the created order which is they have a closer relationship with the creator who has chargedRead MoreThe Central Dilemma Of Environmental Ethics866 Words   |  4 PagesThe central dilemma in environmental ethics is determining the value of nature: what kind of value does it have, what aspects of the environment have value, and from what or whom does environmental value ultimately derive? Many philosophers have proposed answers to these inquiries, but every ethic is weak in o ne or more of these areas. Holmes Rolston III, an American philosopher, preacher, and naturalist, has proposed a deontological argument that addresses each of the key subjects in the debateRead MoreThe Ethics Of Environmental Ethics1299 Words   |  6 PagesEnvironmental ethics are a particular portion of environmental philosophy that echoes the ethical affiliation between human beings and the natural environment. The core belief that God is the creator of all things and human beings, grounds the environmental ethics of Christian teachings, where individuals are charged with the stewardship of this creation. Christian scripture, natural law and tradition create the foundations of Christian ethical teachings yet different expressions of ChristianityRead MoreSome Christian Precepts and Concepts1025 Words   |  4 Pagestheir relationship with God every day. However not all Christians exercise this covenantal relationship the same way or act out the principal beliefs to the same ext ent. Different denominations represent their beliefs - the foundations for their lived expression - in different manners. Some of the Christian principal beliefs include, Revelation, Salvation, the Trinity, and the Life, Death and Resurrection of Jesus. It is through environmental ethics and ethical teachings, and the practice of baptismRead MoreChristianity Report1518 Words   |  7 Pagesand Principal beliefs of Christianity Christianity originated in the city of Jerusalem as a monotheistic religion which rooted from Judaism in the 1st century. Jesus of Nazareth, first recognized as a Messiah, is now known as the Son of God to Christians, is accepted as the founder of Christianity. Jesus, given that he sought only to renew Judaism, did not intend to find a new religion. To some people, Jesus is recognized as a normal human being who felt all human qualities and had human limitationsRead MoreTo What Extent Is It True to Claim That People Have an Individual Sense of Moral Responsibility for Environment? (35 Marks)1527 Words   |  7 PagesTo what extent is it true to claim that people have an individual sense of moral responsibility for environment? (35 marks) When looking at environmental ethics, we are focusing on our attitudes towards the impact on the biological and geological aspects of our planet and whether human actions maintains or disturbs the balance between the planets different life forms and geological systems. This essay will include exploring theories and deciding whether we have an individual moral responsibilityRead MoreEthical and Religious Article Reviews1132 Words   |  4 PagesSeow, C. L. Homosexuality and Christian Community. Louisville, Ky: Westminster John Knox Press, 1996. In his article â€Å"Relations Natural and Unnatural,† Richard B. Hays states that after deciding what Paul thought concerning homosexuality, we should still decide â€Å"how to construe the authority of his opinion in the present time.† There are many open questions about how the bible functions as an authority for normative ethical judgments. We cannot ease ourselves of the obligation for moral decisionRead MoreBiography Of Leopold s A Sand County Almanac Essay1571 Words   |  7 Pagesdescriptive glance at elements of nature that we may often take for granted, such as animals foraging for food or the history of a tree. The Oxford English Dictionary defines the word â€Å"conserve† as to, â€Å"protect (something, especially something of environmental or cultural importance) from harm or destruction† (â€Å"Conserve†). Once we are able to appreciate nature, we become more aware of the importance of conservation. When you do not care about natur e, it is easy to overuse and mistreat it in such a wayRead MoreChristian and Environmental Stewardship1363 Words   |  6 PagesChristians and Stewardship of Their Environment 1. Introduction Our earthly habitat is not an unexpected occurrence of little worth, but rather, it is one to be highly valued and preserved. The biblical doctrine of creation helps the Christian to understand the true significance of the world in order to deal with the environmental crisis. The Bible says, â€Å"For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he createdRead MoreHumans Learn Ethics From Their Environment1597 Words   |  7 PagesHumans Learn Ethics from their Environment There has been a huge debate throughout the years as to whether human beings are ethical by nature or whether ethics is acquired in other ways. Christian Keyser’s research has evidence showing that humans are ethical by nature; conversely the Milgram experiment propagates that humans are not ethical by nature. Humans learn ethics as a result of their genetic predisposition, as well as, environmental factors such as: culture, socialization, and