to mend the world

7/31/2019 To Mend the World

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To Mend

the WorldA Justice Framework for Creation Care

a publication by the Texas Impact Education Fund

We all depend upon the earth for our survivalfor the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink. For

thousands of years, religious traditions have provided guidance on how we should use those resources. Today, news

about environmental destruction and its effects on the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink abounds

and Texans of faith are awakening to the understanding that these issues have religious implications.

As we discuss environmental problems, evaluate their causes, and consider solutions, it is important for religious

communities to reflect on scriptural interpretations of justice, the importance of Gods creation, and our sacred trust.


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Over the last 30 years, Texans of all walks of life

have become more concerned about human impacts onthe environment. Increasingly, stories aboutenvironmental destruction and its effects on humanhealth dominate the news and people are feeling thoseimpacts in very real waysin bans on fishing due to

mercury contamination, in increasing asthma rates, andin ozone pollution days in Dallas and Houston, for

example.To fuel our modern lifestyle, forests are cleared,

toxic waste dumped into rivers, and chemicals spewed

into the air. We are using the earths resources fasterthan they can be replenished, and scientists tell us thatclimate change is the biggest environmental crisis thatwe have faced not just in our time, but in the entire

history of human civilization.

Religious leaders tell us that this crisis can beunderstood as the physical manifestation of ourdistance from God, from creation, and from each other.When man turns his back on the Creator's plan, he

provokes a disorder which has inevitable repercussions

on the rest of the created order, Pope John Paul II said.If man is not at peace with God, then earth itselfcannot be at peace. The seriousness of the ecologicalissue lays bare the depth of man's moral crisis.

The teachings of our diverse religious traditions

offer compelling visions for how we can relate to God,nature, and each other with compassion, respect and

love. Faith is the voice that warns us when we take awrong turn, but also guides us toward a new path.

Creation is SacredCreation is SacredCreation is SacredCreation is SacredThe Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions share

several important truths about the nature of creation.

God created the world with purpose.

O Lord, how manifold are your works! Inwisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of

your creatures When you send forth your spirit,they are created. (Psalm 104)

By him all things were created: things in heaven and

on earth, visible and invisible all things werecreated by him and for him.(Col. 1:16)

Creation is balanced and intrinsically good.God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it

was very good. (Gen. 1:31)

He created everything and determined it mostexactly. (Quran 25:2)

Creation belongs to God.The earth is the Lords and all that is in it, the world,

and those who live in it. (Psalm 24:1)

The land shall not be sold in perpetuity, for the land ismine; with me you are but aliens andtenants. (Lev. 25:23)

God can be found in creation.

Ever since the creation of the world, Gods eternalpower and divine nature, invisible though they are,

have been understood and seen through the thingsGod has made. (Rom. 1:20)

"Ask the animals, and they will teach you, or thebirds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak tothe earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of thesea inform you. Which of these does not know that

the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand isthe life of every creature and the breath of all

mankind." (Job 12:7-10)

In the Hindu tradition, everything in the universe is

a manifestation of the divine life force, orBrahman.The Isa Upanishad teaches, Everything in the universe

belongs to the Lord. Therefore take only what you

need, that is set aside for you. Do not take anythingelse, for you know to whom it belongs.

Native American traditions share an understandingthat the world is sacred. In the Okanogan Creation,

All living beings came from the earth. When we lookaround, we see part of our Mother everywhere. BlackElk, the Lakota leader, expressed a similar

understanding when he said, The earth is yourgrandmother and your mother, and she is sacred. Every

step that is taken upon her should be as a prayer.

Texas Impact/Texas Interfaith Power and Light 20092 To Mend the World

We will not save what we do not love.

And we will neither love nor save what we do not

experience as sacred. Rev. Fr. Thomas Berry

Everything that lives and breathes is

sacred and beautiful in the eyes of God.

The whole world is a sacrament.

- Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew


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We Are Gods TrusteesWe Are Gods TrusteesWe Are Gods TrusteesWe Are Gods TrusteesThe Hindu, Buddhist and Jainist traditions share the concept ofahimsa, Sanskrit for do no harm in thought,

word and deed. This is a practice that extends not just to people but also to animals and plants.In the Jewish, Christian and Muslim traditions, humanitys role as trustees of creation is set forth in Genesis 2:15,

The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till and keep it. Many scholars, reexamining the

original meaning of the Hebrew words abadandshamar, now interpret this as a commandment to serve and carefor creation.

In the Quran also, humans are designatedtrustees: It is He who appointed you Khalifs(guardians) on this earth. (6:165) This

stewardship role required moralresponsibility: We offered the Trust to the

heavens, the earth and the mountains but theyrefused to take it on and shrank from it. Butman took it on. (33:72)

3 To Mend the WorldTexas Impact/Texas Interfaith Power and Light 2009

About Climate ChangeAbout Climate ChangeAbout Climate ChangeAbout Climate ChangeScientists around the world overwhelmingly agree that the Earths

climate is warming and that human activity is largely responsible.We are already seeing some of the effects of a warming planet:

glaciers around the world are melting, the polar ice cap is thinning,coral reefs are dying, plant and animal species are threatened withextinction. We are also seeing changes in the growing season and inmigration patterns of animals. Weather patterns are becoming lessstable and scientists tell us that a warmer planet means more extremeweather events, including droughts, floods, and more intense storms.

We witnessed in the chaos of Hurricane Katrina that extremeweather events disproportionately affect the poor and vulnerableamong us.

Many of the other changes that global warming will bring willalso more keenly affect our most vulnerable populations.

Scientists now believe that the seas will rise at least 3.25 feet by

the year 2100. A rise of this magnitude will swallow some islandsand change coastlines around the world. Half of the worldspopulation lives within 50 miles of a coast. In crowded regions likeBangladesh, millions of people will be displaced as saltwater moves

inward. Arid regions are expected to become drier, and freshwaterwill become more scarce due to melting glaciers.

If future generations are to remember us more with gratitude than sorrow, we must achieve more

than just the miracles of technology. We must also leave them a glimpse of the world as it was created,

not just as it looked when we got through with it.Lyndon B. Johnson

I believe in my heart that faith in Jesus

Christ can and will lead us beyond an ex-

clusive concern for the well-being of other

human beings to the broaderconcern for the well-being of the birds in

our backyards, the fish in our rivers, and

every living creature on the face

of the earth. John Wesley


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Mending the World

One Step at a TimeMore and more religious congregations and their

members want to know what they can do to care for the

creation, but starting an environmental project canseem like a daunting prospect.

Many congregations establishgreen teams: smallgroups of committed individualswho plan projects and monitor

environmental aspects ofcongregational life. Somedenominations have green teamstructures in place that local

congregations can tap into, aswell as resources for projects.

Trying to take on too manyprojects at once can lead toburnout and discouragement.

Thats why we recommend astair-step approach that moves

your program through the areas of environmentalconcern as well as the areas of activity for mostcongregations. Using this approach will show you

measureable results right away and help you setrealistic goals.

How to Use the ListsYour environmental focus shouldnt be separate

from the rest of the life of the congregationit shouldbe woven into all aspects of congregational life and

involve as many members as possible. We outlinebelow six common areas of environmental concern andfour common areas of congregational activity.

To get your environmental project started, chooseone activity under one area of environmental concern.

Once you complete that activity, choose a differentkind of activity under a different area of environmentalconcern.

Rather than tackling one whole area at a time, mostcongregations find more success in alternating areas

for example, if your first environmental activity is arecycling project, for your next effort choose a different

environmental concern such as water or food.Similarly, if your first activity is an instructionalprogram like a class, choose a different kind of activity

for your next projectmaybe a mission or stewardshipactivity.

The projects listed below are examples. Visitwww.txipl.org for more examples, or make up your

own projects.

SWIM-ming to SuccessTo help make your environmental ministry

congregation-wide, remember the acronym SWIM:

Stewardship,Worship, Instruction andMission.

Just as you move from one type of environmental

concern to the next, make sure that your projectsinvolve all four SWIM areas.

Remember to involve the whole congregation. Ifyou get stuck on one project, move on to another one.

And dont be afraid to ask for help.The following page shows a sample year-long

environmental ministry plan that could work for many

congregations of different sizes and faiths.

Texas Impact/Texas Interfaith Power and Light 20094 To Mend the World

Six Areas Of Environmental

ConcernThere are six areas of concern for your

environmental ministry to consider:

Water use

Energy and climate impact

Toxics Waste management Wildlife Food


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Manage and Reduce Water

ConsumptionS- Reduce water use on your

property through low-flow faucetsand toilets or drought-tolerant

landscaping (xeriscaping).

W- Many faiths use water in their

sacraments or liturgies. If your faithuses water for baptism or other

sacraments, include water facts inyour bulletin or use water from a

specific source. Consider holding a watercommunionfind out more at www.txipl.org.

I-Hold a religious education program on water issues.

M- Help clean up a local body of water or raise moneyfor water justice programs that your denomination

supports.

Manage Climate and Energy ImpactS- Change light bulbs, buy green power or RenewableEnergy Certificates, orinstall on-site renewable

generation.

W- Consider the role energyplays in your worship

service.

I- Watch a movie likeKilowatt Ours or AnInconvenient Truth, or sponsor a panel on energy issues

in your community.

M- Weatherize homes for low-income members of yourcommunity.

Manage ToxicsS- Get rid of toxic cleaning products, and use low-VOC(volatile organic compound) paint.

W Switch to flowers and plants that are organically-and locally-grown. Doing so will decrease your

pesticide, water, and transportation impacts and willboost the local economy.

I- Offer a class about making non-toxic cleaning

products for use at home.

M- Sponsor household hazardous waste collection forchurch members and the neighboring community.

5 To Mend the WorldTexas Impact/Texas Interfaith Power and Light 2009

Manage and Reduce WasteS- Recycle as much as you can and eliminate

Styrofoam use.

W When it comes to worship supplies and materials,think about the 3 Rs: Reduce, Re-use, and Recycle.

I- Offer a small group session inwhich people watch The Story of

Stuff and then share their ideasfor reducing waste at home.

M- Sponsor recycling collection

for church members and theneighborhood community.

Manage and Nurture WildlifeS- Establish a butterfly garden and consider leavingsome wild spaces on congregational grounds.

W-Hold a blessing of the animals servicewhetheryou invite real animals or just photos is up to you.

I- Go on a field trip to a nearby park or preserve, or

invite a speaker from the Texas Parks and Wildlifedepartment. Find out what animals in your area are inneed of support.

M- Volunteer with the Humane Society, a local statepark, or wildlife preserve. If a specific animal is inneed of support in your area, consider ways to help

for example, building, distributing and helping to hangsimple bluebird houses could boost the local populationand help people connect with nature.

Manage Food and People ImpactsS- Serve locally grown organic snacks and fairly-traded coffee at coffee hour.

W- If you use food in worship, switch to locally-grown

and organic.

I- Publicize through signage, communications andeducational events that the

congregation has switched to local,organic, and fairly-traded foods (and

why it matters).M- Help start, support or volunteer at

a local neighborhood or schoolgarden.


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We Are InterconnectedWe Are InterconnectedWe Are InterconnectedWe Are InterconnectedWe are dependent upon the earth and its bounty

for our survival. The advantage of the land isparamount; even a king is subject to the soil. (Eccl.5:8) When the air and water are not clean, we get

sick. When the soil is poor, we cannot grow food.

Take the case of mercury, for

example. When we burn coal toproduce electricity, mercury isreleased into the air, falls to theearth in rain, then flows in riversand streams into lakes and seas.

Mercury in the water is absorbed

by small fish, which are theneaten by larger fish. When weeat the fish, we ingest all thestored mercury, which is

especially harmful for childrenand pregnant or nursing mothers.

We cannot remove ourselves from creationweare part of it. The creation of the heavens and theearth is far greater than the creation of mankind. But

most of mankind do not know it. (Quran 40:56)The stories of humanity and of creation are

inextricably linked. For the fate of humans and thefate of animals is the same; as one dies, so dies theother. They all have the same breath, and humans

have no advantage over the animals.... All go to oneplace; all are from the dust, and all turn to dustagain. (Eccl. 3:19-20)

In the story of Moses, God speaks through a

burning bush and miracles involve water, rivers, andnatural disasters. God speaks to Job out of awhirlwind. Psalm 104 shows God as active increation:He waters the mountains from his upperchambers; the earth is satisfied by the fruit of his

work. (v.13)

In Gods commandment to observe the Sabbath, the

interconnectedness of humans, nature, and God is revealed,for all are to observe the Sabbath. Remember the Sabbathday, and keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do allyour work. But the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lordyour God; you shall do no work. For in six days the Lord

made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, butrested the seventh day. (Ex. 20:8-11)

In addition, on every seventh year, the land is to rest:every seventh year you shall let [the land] rest and liefallow, so that the poor of your people may eat; and what

they leave the wild animals may eat. (Ex. 23:10)Our actions and choices affect the

earth. In Isaiah, humanitys badchoices are made manifest in the

environment: The earth lies pollutedunder its inhabitants; for they havetransgressed laws, violated the statutes,

broken the everlastingcovenant. (24:5)

The ancient law of give and take,action and reaction, and cause andeffect is explained by Paul in Galatians6:7: You reap whatever you sow.

In the Quran, a crisis in creation is

shown to be an opportunity and a callfor humanity to change its ways: Corruption has appearedin both land and sea because of what peoples own handshave brought about, so that they may taste something ofwhat they have done, so that hopefully they will turn back

to the right path. (30:40)

Buddha taught that relationship to others and to theworldeven to animals and plantsshould be based oncompassion. The goal is to develop genuine compassion,

this genuine wish for the well-being of another, in fact forevery living being throughout the universe, the Dalai

Lama said. "Love and compassion are necessities, notluxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.

6 To Mend the World Texas Impact/Texas Interfaith Power and Light 2009

Rajah Koravya had a king banyan tree called Steadfast, and the shade of its widespread

branches was cool and lovely. None guarded its fruit, and none hurt another for its fruit. Now

there came a man who ate his fill of fruit, broke down a branch, and went his way. Thought the

spirit dwelling in that tree, "How amazing, how astonishing it is, that a man should be so evil as

to break off a branch of the tree, after eating his fill. Suppose the tree were to bear no more

fruit." And the tree bore no more fruit.

Anguttara Nikaya

All of you must clothe yourselves with humilityin your dealings with one another, for God

opposes the proud, but gives grace to the

humble. (1 Pet. 5:5)

The first law of our being is that we are set in adelicate network of interdependence with our

fellow human beings and with the rest of

Gods creation. Desmond Tutu


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A Call to Justice & Respect for LifeA Call to Justice & Respect for LifeA Call to Justice & Respect for LifeA Call to Justice & Respect for LifeThe religious call to work for justice is strong.

Many different traditions affirm that people are createdin the image of God and that we should treat people theway we would like to be treated.

Climate change will disproportionatelyaffect vulnerable populations such as the

poor and the elderly because these groupswill be less able to adapt to the changes intheir environments. Already, marginalized

communities in the United States are moreaffected by climate and pollution: African-

Americans and Hispanics are more likelythan whites to live in areas with bad airquality, are twice as likely to die in heat

waves, and are three times as likely to behospitalized because of asthma.

Environmental degradation increasessuffering, sickness and death for Gods

children, especially the young, elderly,minorities and the poor. Pope John Paul II said,Protecting the environment is first of all the right to

live and the protection of life.

Jesus instructed his followers to care for the lessfortunate: Whatever you did for one of the least ofthese brothers of mine, you did for me. (Mat. 25:45)

It is estimated that every year, 300,000 people die

due to climate change, mainly from worsening floodsand droughts in the developing world. We also seeincreased mortality from malnutrition, the spread ofdisease and heat-related illnesses.

Although the U.S. accounts for just 4 percent of the

world's population, it produces 25 percent of theworld's greenhouse gases and uses 25 percent of theearths natural resources. We have disproportionatelycontributed to problems that are causing globalsuffering both here and abroad.

The call to help our neighbors comes notjust from a sense of fairness and justice. Italso comes from compassion and love.

Jesus told his disciples, Just as I haveloved you, you also should love oneanother. (John 13:34)

Jewish teachings illustrate ourresponsibility to ensure that the world we

bequeath to our descendents is a bountiful, sustainableone. Be careful that you dont spoil or destroy myworldbecause if you spoil it, there is nobody afteryou to fix it. (Ecclesiastes Rabbah 7:13)

The command to be fruitful and multiply was

given first to fish and fowl, not humans. Birds andanimals are full partners in the covenant Godestablishes with Noah: As for Me, I am going toestablish My covenant with you and with yourdescendants after you, and with every living being in

your carethe birds, the beasts, and all the landanimals in your careall who have gone out of the ark,

all earths animals.

Global warming is already underway.Scientists tell us that some changes are, atthis point, inevitable. But they also urge

quick action to reduce human behaviors thatare causing climate change such as

emissions of greenhouse gases and theclear-cutting of forests.

Still, the problems are myriad and, takentogether, can seem overwhelming. In theface of it, there is a human tendency to

wonder, What could I possibly do? Theproblem is just too big.

And yet, as the prophet Mohammed said,

If the Hour (Day of Judgment) comeswhile one of you holds a palm seedling in

his hand and he can cultivate it, he shoulddo so.

Texas Impact/Texas Interfaith Power and Light 2009 To Mend the World 7

Therefore choose life, that you and your

descendents may live. (Deut. 30:20)

What we call Mans power over Nature turns out

to be a power exercised by some men over other

men with Nature as an instrument.

C.S. Lewis

When a group of people are sailing

in a boat, none of them has a right to

bore a hole under his own seat.

-Rabbi Yisroel Meir HaKohen


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Finding Our WayFinding Our WayFinding Our WayFinding Our WayIn the scriptures, Gods vision for the earth andhumanity is revealed.

They shall all sit under their own vines and undertheir own fig trees, and no one shall make them

afraid. (Micah 4:4)

The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopardshall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lionand fatling together, and a little child shall leadthem. (Isaiah 11:6)

Jesus tells his disciples, I came so that they may

have life, and have it abundantly. (John 10:10)

We have not yet lived into Gods vision, or into thepromise of abundance. And yet the best-known andmost often-recited Christian prayer seeks an earthlytransformation: Thy will be done on earth as it is in

heaven.

Texas Impact Education Fund 221 East 9th Street, Suite 403, Austin, Texas 78701 www.texasimpact.org 512.472.3903

This edition ofJustice Frameworks is funded by a grant from the Trull Foundation. Opinions expressed in this report are

those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Trull Foundation.Texas Impact expresses its gratitude to Rev. Dr. Janet Parker, Dr. Catherine Keller, and

John Hill for generously sharing with us their wisdom and insight on the role of religious

communities in the care of creation. Cover photo by Carlo

Abbruzzese.

Justice Frameworks is a publication series of the Texas Impact

Education Fund, Bee Moorhead, Executive Director. Texas

Impact was established by Texas religious leaders in 1973 to be

a voice of religious social concern to the Texas Legislature.

Texas Interfaith Power and Light empowers faith communities for climate and energy stewardship.

It is a project of the Texas Impact Education Fund. For more information, visit www.txipl.org.

Throughout history, people of all faiths have ledgreat, transformational movements in their communities

Today, global environmental challenges offer ourdiverse faith traditions the opportunity to join hands inshared effort. TheRig Veda counsels, Let your aims be

common, and your hearts of one accord, and all of yoube of one mind, so you may live well

together. (10.191.2-4)

People of faith can proclaim again that the right pathis one that leads us closer to Gods promise: Thus says

the LORD: Stand at the crossroads, and look, and askfor the ancient paths, where the good way lies; and walkin it, and find rest for your souls. (Jeremiah 7:16)

Grandfather, Sacred One, teach us love,

compassion and honor that we may heal the

earth and heal each other. -Ojibway prayer

to mend the world

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