I believe that the indoctrination into the New World Religion called Ecotheology has begun. Beware.
(My comments on an article found in Wikipedia. The article in bold print, my comments in italics.)
Part 1
Ecotheology
The relationship of theology to the modern ecological crisis became an intense issue of debate in Western academia in 1967, following the publication of the article, "The Historical Roots of Our Ecological Crisis," by Lynn White, Jr., Professor of History at the University of California at Los Angeles. In this work, White examines the ways in which the Christian model of human dominion over nature has led to environmental devastation.
Of course, theology equals religion. So understand that we are, in fact, in a religious discussion. By definition, Eco means: concerned with living things in relation to their environment (Dictionary.com), and Theology means: The study of the nature of God and religious truth; rational inquiry into religious questions.(Dictionary.com) The “religious" question here is the religion of ecology.
This article starts by making a basic assumption: i.e. – there is an “ecological crisis” I don’t hold to that premise. In addition – I don’t accept the premise that. “…human dominion over nature has led to environmental “devastation”.
When I travel around this country (USA – the country that is accused of being the biggest violator of Ecotheology) I don’t see the devastation. I see trees running on for as far as the eye can see, beautiful blue skies, pristine lakes, rivers and streams. I see productive farms and dynamic landscapes. I see houses too, of course, and some of them nicer than others. I see industry, and manufacturing as well. I suppose they are there because people would rather have them to better their lives than to go back to living in the wilderness and using caves and mud huts as dwellings. Is this what is being called for by Ecotheology? I don’t think so. I just don’t see the devastation and believe it is all so much bunk – part of the indoctrination into the New World Religion called Ecotheology.
If you begin an argument on faulty premises, then the argument cannot stand. Or, if you like: If you start a discussion on a premise that the party you are having the discussion with does not accept, then you will never be able to convince him.
Moreover, Lynne White’s “theory” is that because Christianity teaches man has dominion over the earth, this has caused the populace to believe that, since man has a soul and nothing else in nature does, man is superior. So then, it is Lynne White’s opinion that man is not superior to a tree or anything else in nature. From this perspective, so grows the religion of Ecotheology and the belief that Christianity is the cause of all problems relating to the so-called “ecological crisis”. This very cleverly puts this new religion in direct opposition to and in distinctive battle with the religion of Christianity.
In 1973, theologian Jack Rogers published an article in which he surveyed the published studies of approximately twelve theologians which had appeared since White's article. They reflect the search for "an appropriate theological model" which adequately assesses the biblical data regarding the relationship of God, humans, and nature.
The only thing I could find on Jack Rodgers is in relations to his book “Jesus, the Bible, and Homosexuality: Explode the Myths, Heal the Church”. I haven’t read the book so I can’t comment too much on it, but in the “Book Description” section of Amazon.com it says, in part, this: “He argues that when we interpret the Bible through the lens of Jesus' redemptive life and ministry, we see that the church is called to grant equal rights to all people. Jesus, the Bible, and Homosexuality describes Rogers' own change of mind and heart on the issue; charts the church's well-documented history of using biblical passages to oppress marginalized groups; argues for a Christ-centered reading of Scripture; debunks oft-repeated stereotypes about gays and lesbians; and concludes with ideas for how the church can heal itself and move forward again.”
Since this is all I could find, I can hardly speak to the ideas of Jack Rodgers other than to point to the above and make certain assumptions. I ask you: Does this sound like he is saying that Jesus has called for the church to approve of homosexuality? If he is saying that we should grant them equal rights, does that mean that the church is called to grant them marriage rights? It sounds like it to me. The scriptures are very clear in its opposition to homosexuality. Jesus would never (and does not) speak and stand in opposition to the scriptures, which clearly call homosexuality an "abomination".
But then I ask you - what has any of this to do with ecology? It is merely a stance against Christianity that is being hoisted into the debate, somehow, by someone with an ax to grind about something completely unrelated to the topic, someone jumping aboard the argument with an agenda of his own.
Elisabet Sahtouris is a biologist who promotes a vision she believes will result in the sustainable health and well-being of humanity within the larger living systems of Earth and the cosmos. She is a lecturer in Gaia Theory and a co-worker with James Lovelock and Lynn Margulis.
I think we can understand where Elisabet Sahtouris is coming from fairly easy. Gaia is, in mythology, the goddess of the earth. Gods are to be worshiped. The article in Encyclopedia Mythica on Gaia, spells out things very nicely. Wikipedia on Gaia Hypothesis, however, says this: “The Gaia hypothesis is an ecological theory that proposes that living and nonliving parts of the earth are viewed as a complex interacting system that can be thought of as a single organism. Named after the Greek earth Goddess, this theory postulates that all living things have a regulatory effect on the Earth's environment that promotes life overall.”
I suppose if you are into Ecotheology you might very well be interested in the Gaia Theory as support for your case. As for me, I’d rather believe in Fairies and Elves. (Sorry – I just couldn’t resist.) And to think that many today claim that to believe in God is to believe in fairy tales - yet many would rather believe in Gaia, the earth goddess.
Annie Dillard, Pulitzer Prize-winning American author, also combined observations on nature and philosophical explorations in several ecotheological writings, including Pilgrim at Tinker Creek.
Amazon.com’s editorial on this book says this: "The book is a form of meditation, written with headlong urgency, about seeing. A reader's heart must go out to a young writer with a sense of wonder so fearless and unbridled...There is an ambition about her book that I like...It is the ambition to feel."
Again, I have not read her book and cannot comment on it, but I will say one thing about the editorial since I assume it to be the truth about the book. I would just point to the first seven words of the editorial and leave it at that: "The book is a form of meditation…”
Valerie Brown is a science and environmental journalist based in Portland, Ore., whose work has appeared in Environmental Health Perspectives, 21stC, and other publications. She writes regularly about ecotheology.
I could find nothing on Valerie Brown.
I think it is important to know who the people are who are out front of a new religion such as Ecotheology, and the type of things they stand for. Of course, this has been gleaned from only one article from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, but I think it is a very informative one.
It seems to me that this new eco religion is based on a lot of far out leftist ideology including such things as mysticism, spiritualism, mythology with perhaps a little bit of the homosexual agenda thrown in for good measure, so can therefore not be taken as a serious religion. The religion of Ecotheology, however, is being and will continue to be taken seriously.
This new religion has placed itself in direct opposition to Christianity and blames the God of the Bible for causing this so-called ecological crisis. They, of course, do not believe in the God of the Bible (only the goddess of the Earth, Gaia - at least some of them) so they simply blame it on the teachings of Christianity.
I believe Ecotheology will be the One World Religion that will be in place at the time of the Second Coming of Christ. This One World Religion is foretold to have this as its religious premise: That they will worship the created (eco) rather than the creator. So, I believe, since we are seeing the birth of Ecotheology today, we are seeing one of the prophesies that points to the fact that we are indeed in the later days. It is being fulfilled before our very eyes.
Now let me say before I close page 1, I realize the research done here is quite shallow, since it was based solely on the article and the reference material provided. I did not have the time to buy and read all of the books and reference material (nor was I so inclined to do so), but I believe that the conclusions I have come to are valid enough to make my point. I have provided enough material in this essay for your own research if you are so inclined.
Part 2
Ecotheology and the One World Government
Let’s just look at this “what if” for a moment, with on open mind. Leave out, if you can, any preconceived ideas or predispositions. Are you there? Good. Let me ask you this question?
(Here comes the “what if”.)
If you wanted to organize a “One World Government”, what would be the best way to go about it? Wouldn’t you need to gather a great majority of the world over to your side first? Wouldn’t you have to convince them that there was a greater good in coming together? In affect, wouldn’t you have to unite the world around something that the world would see as a common necessity or great need - something to rally around?
If you’re with me so far, than is it really too far fetched to believe that “saving the planet”, “cleaning up the environment”, “save the dolphins” and the like would make a great platform to rally around – wonderful touchy-feely stuff to bring the people of the world together?
Can’t you see how religious movements throughout history, have united people into massive units. Religious movements have gathered to form the three basic religions – Judaism, Islam and Christianity. (Yes, there are many different religions, but these three are the most prominent so I use them only as my example.) You can add a forth or fifth if you like but even then, try to imagine that kind of unity across the globe.
Now imagine, if you can gather ALL the people around the world into a One World Religion called Ecotheology or by any other name with this at its core. You can win many of the other religions over without them even having to drop any of their basic tenants.
Once you have this underway, not even completed really, you can begin to implement the other tenants of the movement on the world.
The law – you simply mandate eco “stuff” on the world by law and enforce it easily because the “people” will tell on anyone who breaks the “eco laws” – just like they will if you don’t obey the smoking laws. (I believe the smoking laws were a precursor to the eco laws, a test to see if it was possible to set one group of people against another group in order to pass the laws of ecology and perhaps others yet to come.)
Sociology – falls into place with religion and people uniting around a single cause for a united purpose.
Economics – will fall in line because the world is already largely united to fund the movement.
Ecology – well that is what its all about – or is it?
Geography – is a misnomer since we are talking about a worldwide movement unless you are referring to specific areas targeted for clean up.
Does all this make sense to anyone? Anyone?
Beware, for it is very dangerous to look yet not to see.
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In Christs Love
Michelle~