Earth Care for Every Day
Interfaith Devotion to Environmental Viability by Lisa Marlene
A
ccording to the Pluralism Project at Harvard University, a
growing number of interfaith organizations—Interfaith Power & Light, Earth Care, Alliance of Religions and Conservation, Caretakers of God’s Creation and others— are devoting their efforts to environmental causes, including con- servation, biodiversity, ecological justice and stewardship. Pluralism, which embraces diver-
sity and practices tolerance, is based on dialogue and energetically engaging in the seeking of understanding across lines of difference. For example, 10,000 congregations in 30 states have joined the Regeneration Project’s Interfaith Power and Light campaign, which the Rever- end Canon Sally Bingham, an Episcopal
priest, launched in 1998 to help fight global warming. Bingham preaches energy conservation to people of all faiths to deepen their connection between ecol- ogy and religion. Member churches commit to educat- ing their parishioners, which serve as examples to other
members of their communities. Locally, churches such as Unity
of Fort Myers are repeating what many other faith groups are doing nationally. “We adopted an Earth Care covenant in October,” says Minister Jim Rosemergy, who quotes from the document. “Our consciousness reveals that all of creation is connected as one. As a people of faith, we commit to a renewed reverence for life and respect for the interdependent web of all existence. The Earth blesses us
with nourishment, water, minerals, fresh air, fire and beauty. When we remember this, we become mindful in our attitudes and actions. We declare our covenant with God to walk upon the Earth lightly for the greatest good of all creation.” The church also recently conducted an en- ergy audit. “We’ll do whatever we need to comply,” advises Rosemergy. Reading lists suggesting books— The Rebirth of Nature: The Green- ing of Science and God, Developing Ecological Consciousness: Paths To A Sustainable World, and numerous oth- ers—in addition to published articles, are also an important aspect of educa- tion on websites of participating faith groups and organizations. At local centers such as the Anahata Holistic Healing & Spiritual Center, The Lazy Environmentalist, by Josh Dorphin, Paper or Plastic, by Daniel Imhoff, and An Inconvenient Truth, by Al Gore, are regularly available. Lecturers such as international speaker Christine Driessen, a Christian Science practitioner and teacher and co-author of Harvard University’s Soul of Medicine, travel the U.S. to educate individuals in how a system of prayer- based healing can be used by anyone of any faith for the daily health of one’s self, others and the environment. “In Christian Science, our main focus is on Genesis I, the very beginning of the Bible, which is the foundation of Earth Day,” says Dries- sen. “God sustains life. You and I can prove this as we see everything from a spiritual basis.”
For more information on Christine Dries- sen’s Apr. 12 workshop, see news brief, page 12.
20 Collier/Lee Counties
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