Religious Undercurrents in Environmentalism and Forestry: Introduction to the Working Group SessionEnvironmentalism, Green Religion, Scientism, Why? Introduction to the Session

摘要

Religion is arguably the most powerful and pervasive force on earth. Throughout history religious ideas and commitments have inspired individuals and communities of faith to transcend narrow self-interest in pursuit of higher values and truths (Kimball. 1992; 1) I am a pantheist. I believe in the' holiness' of the earth and all other living things...Our very survival depends on the air 'god'... (Cassie, a 'believer' in nature religion, quoted in D. I. Smith's "Forest Management and the Theology of Nature"; American Forests Nov/Dec 1993). Environmental policy-making often turns out to be a battlefield for religious conflict. Rather than rational policy analysis, the making of natural resource and environmental policy in the United States has become an exercise in theological controversy. (Nelson 1990). Unless the forestry profession becomes the leader in forest environmentalism, there is a significant risk that forestry in the future will be based largely on green religion. (Kimmins 1993).