Can environmentalism be a religion? Of course it can, according to a Universal Life Church minister, Ken Layne. On his blog on Gawker, Layne explains that environmentalism shares many of the characteristics of conventional religion, but it is relevant to more people since the environment affects everybody. Although some ministers ordained online will cringe at the idea of "nature-worship", Layne makes some very interesting points which deserve close consideration.
Defining "Religious Ecology"
There are myriad quasi-religious practices which give people a sense of meaning in life, Layne notes. Drunkenly cheering on your favorite local sports team or raving about the latest revolution in Apple computer technology provide people in the secular West a sense of community that used to be provided by traditional religion. Even science-fiction and comic book conventions offer this salve to modern-day isolation and spiritual malaise. Indeed even more traditionally established faiths such as Christianity assert that a specific type of dedication to something can make it one's religion (though of course it does so with the context that these religions are forbidden for Christians).
Environmentalism is different, he argues, because it goes beyond consumer culture toward a truly spiritual vision. Quoting author Michael Crichton, he argues that it asks "whether you are going to be a sinner, or saved. Whether you are going to be one of the people on the side of salvation, or on the side of doom. Whether you are going to be one of us, or one of them". Importantly, he notes, it leads "to a utopian goal of an Earthly Paradise a state of grace with creation, which is exactly what saints and seekers have always pursued".
An Age-Old Idea
Strains of this eco-spirituality are already present in traditional religion. "All the big holidays already mesh with the original holy days, the winter and summer solstice and the spring and autumn equinox", Layne argues, adding that "there has never been a more ready-made religion with so many adherents". Pagans teach respect for Mother Nature, Christian stewardship theology teaches us to care for God's creation, and Buddhism emphasizes the importance of harmony between humans and nature. Atheists and other secularists have also long advocated the conservation of nature, just as ULC ministers have.
Maybe environmentalism is simply a modern-day incarnation of ancient nature worship. But everybody has a stake in it, Layne explains, because "it's all true, and it's based on both science fact and moral standards. You don't have to pretend to believe in ghosts or gods ". So, if something like Jedi can be a real religion, why can't eco-spirituality?
I am very impressed with this article, I too am a Universalist Minister that has seen this connection for many years AND have been acting on spelling it out for people. Whenever people ask why I am so dedicated to reduce, reuse, recycle and they challenge my steps I take to "live lightly." I offer up that it is my religion, of course, I mean that it is my way of life, but there is something much more powerful in the statement because there seems to be more protection afforded religion, so I use this as my shining star badge to deflect ridicule, suspicion, and challenge until the day that this idea is widely accepted. With some, I also use this as a calling card to spread the philosophy in effort to popularize it...
I will venture boldly to point out though, that eco-spirituality is not what I call it, although it is a good description, it is not a good word to rally around...Again I say, when spelling it out for people, the age-old word I have found and choose to use for its ability to bring together so many inter-related themes is: E - L - Y - S - I - U - M. And, in case you may be wondering, I have been at this effort since 2003, long, long before the film that came out in recent years was produced or even conceived.
The hashtag I use to bring attention to this on relevant posts is: #Elysium and this one I use as a banner for rallying within, the more specific: #ElysianDream A shout out and three cheers for Ken Layne, I support you...we should kinnect...