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Faithful Environmental Stewardship - Orlando 2010

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    Faithful Environmental

    Stewardship:the role of religion in addressing the

    environmental crisis

    Peter AdrianceOrlando, 2010

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    The changes required to

    reorient the world toward asustainable future imply

    degrees of sacrifice, socialintegration, selfless action,

    and unity of purpose rarelyachieved in human history.

    These qualities have reachedtheir highest degree of

    development through thepower of religion

    (Bah International Community, Earth Charter, 1991)

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    The world's crying need for the divine

    prescriptions is made plain by the ills

    afflicting society at every level in all parts ofthe planet. We must be swift in ministering to

    this need.(2001 Jan 14)

    The UniversalHouse of Justice

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    Humanity's crying need will not be met by a struggleamong competing ambitions or by protest of the

    countless wrongs afflicting a desperate age. It calls,

    rather, for a fundamental change of consciousness

    that the time has come when each human being onearth must learn to accept responsibility for the

    welfare of the entire human family(2001 May 24)

    The UniversalHouse of Justice

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    The National Conference on Science,

    Policy and the Environment 2007 Theme:

    Climate Change

    Workshop: People of Faith Respond to

    Climate Change with Concrete Actions

    Catholic, Protestant, Buddhist, Jewish, Bahai Scientists: We need you Cant do it alone

    Science and Religion

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    Science and Religion

    Thirty years ago, I thought thatwith enough good science we

    would be able to solve the

    environmental crisis. I was

    wrong. I used to think that the

    greatest problems threatening

    the planet were pollution, bio-

    diversity loss and climatechange. I was wrong there too

    Gus Speth, Dean, Yale School of Forestry and the Environment

    at a 2008 meeting between scientists and evangelical leaders

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    Science and Religion

    I now believe that thegreatest problems are pride,apathy and greed. Because thatswhats keeping us from solvingthe environmental problem. Forthat, I now see that we need acultural and spiritualtransformation. And we in thescientific community dont know

    how to do that. But you [in thefaith community] do. We needyour help.

    Gus Speth, Dean, Yale School of Forestry and the Environment

    at a 2008 meeting between scientists and evangelical leaders

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    "Science and religion are two

    of the most potent forces on

    Earth, and they should cometogether to save the creation.

    Science and Religion

    E.O.Wilson,

    Naturalist

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    "We left changed people,more convinced than everthat scientists andEvangelicals had to speakwith one voice and doeverything in their power tosave this indescribablybeautiful and precious gift

    we have all been given.

    Science and Religion

    Eric Chivian, Scientist

    Richard Cizik Evangelical Leader,Had Convened 30 scientists

    and evangelical leaders on

    Climate Change in 2005

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    "Science and Religionshould go forward together;indeed, they should be liketwo fingers of one hand.

    (Abdu'l-Baha in London, p. 71)

    Science and Religion

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    Invoking the Spirit - Religion and

    Spirituality in the Quest for a

    Sustainable World(2002)

    State of the World 2003, Ch. 8

    Inspiring Progress: ReligionsContributions to Sustainable

    Development(2006)

    Gary Gardner, Worldwatch Institute

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    Deamers life story embodies both a challenge and a

    hope for human advancement in the 21st century

    THE CHALLENGE: to redefineprogress -- to

    revamp economies to work in harmony

    with the natural environment and serve all

    people. THE HOPE: that religious

    leaders and communities

    will recognize the powerful

    contribution they can make

    and lend their considerable

    influence to it.

    Deamer (Bah): inspired by his Faith (Gardner, Inspiring

    Progress 2006)

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    Religious Assets for Building a

    Sustainable World

    Capacity to Shape Worldviews

    Moral Authority

    Sheer numbers of Adherents

    Significant Material Resources Community-Building Capacity

    (Gardner, 2002)

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    The changes needed to sustain human and naturalcommunities can only be achieved in the context of

    the rise of a new consciousness...a spiritual

    awakeninga transformation of the human heart

    2007 Yale Conference Report

    Toward a New Consciousness: Values to

    Sustain Human and Natural communities

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    No other group of institutions can wield the

    particular moral authority of the religions

    Mary Evelyn Tucker, co-founder

    Forum on Religion and Ecology

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    2008: Sierra Clubs

    first ever national

    report on

    environmentalengagement of

    faith communities

    Examples from 50 states

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    Faith in Action Sierra Club

    We recognize that lasting socialchange rarely takes placewithout the activeengagement of communities

    of faith.

    For two decades, religiousleaders[have been] linking

    core religious values such asstewardship, justice, andconcern for future generationswith environmental concerns

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    U.S. Partnership for

    Education for SustainableDevelopment

    www.uspartnership.org

    Includes News and

    SustainabilityE

    ducationResources for many Faiths

    UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development

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    "How Many Jews Does It Take

    to Change a Light Bulb?"

    -----

    Coalition on the Environmentand Jewish LifeA Light Among the Nations campaign

    Take a Scientist to Synagogue speakers bureau

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    Interfaith

    Powerand

    Light

    &

    The

    RenewalProject

    Rev. Sally G. Bingham

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    The International Environment Forum

    www.iefworld.org

    A Bah-inspired forumfor knowledge-sharing,

    education and

    information exchange

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    ARC/UNDP seven year plans for

    generational change

    Environmental and climateaction plans by the worlds

    faiths launched in late 2009.

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    ARC/UNDP

    seven year plans for

    generational change

    Bahai approach through framework of

    action:

    Explore the relationship of humans to the

    environment as articulated in the Bahai

    sacred writings. Build capacity to engage in service

    supporting environmental stewardship.

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    Subsequent letter from US NSA to

    American Baha'i Community

    Feb 25, 2010

    Encouraged community to

    Study Baha'i teachings on environment Incorporate greater awareness of

    environment into core activities and

    community lifeThese actions will support and help sustain

    processes of growth

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    Taking action

    in the U.S. Baha'i community:

    Uniting the Spiritual and Practical

    Jr. Youth: clean stream banks, restore

    redwood groves, teach childrens classes on

    stewardship, participate in eco-camps

    Communities: hold devotionals and firesides;

    interfaith sustainability initiatives;

    environmental clean ups; tree planting Individuals: serve on IPL State Boards; engage

    with other interfaith organizations

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    House of Worship restoration/ Kingdom Project

    HVAC system

    Cistern for rainwater storage/ irrigation

    Visitors Center

    Schools/ Properties

    Sessions on environmental stewardship, justice andclimate change.

    Greening of buildings and grounds, hospitality, food

    services, purchasing, and waste management

    Taking action

    in the U.S. Baha'i community:

    Uniting the Spiritual and Practical

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    Finally, Coming up Feb 11-13, 2011

    Interfaith Power and Lights annual

    Preach-in on Global WarmingBaha'i materials available for 3 core activities

    Theme: Environmental Stewardship and Justice

    Devotional gatheringsSupplemental materials for Childrens

    classes

    Supplemental materials for Jr. youth

    groups

    www.interfaithpowerandlight.org

    Letter from NSA coming in January with more info

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    The UniversalHouse of Justice

    That the world civilization now on humanity's horizonmust achieve a dynamic coherence between the

    material and spiritual requirements of life is central

    to the Bah' teachings. Clearly this ideal has

    profound implications for the nature of any socialaction pursued by Baha'is, whatever its scope and

    range of influence.(Ridvan 2010)

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    Faithful Environmental Stewardship

    Rooted in the Sacred

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    O Son of Man!I loved thy creation, hence I created thee.

    Wherefore, do thou love Me,that I may name thy name

    and fill thy soul with the spirit of life.

    (Bah Writings)

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    Consider the world

    of created beings,how varied anddiverse they are in

    species, yet with onesole originThisdiversity of type is

    apparentthroughout thewhole of nature.

    (Bah' Writings)

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    the universe is a scroll thatdiscloseth His hidden secrets.(Bah' Writings)

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    Every man of discernment, while walkingupon the earth, feeleth indeed abashed,inasmuch as he is fully aware that the thing

    which is the source of his prosperity, hiswealth, his might, his exaltation, hisadvancement and power is, as ordained by

    God, the very earth which is troddenbeneath the feet of all men.(Bah' Writings)

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    If carried to excess, civilization willprove as prolific a source of evil as it

    had been of goodness when kept withinthe restraints of moderation.

    (Bah Writings)

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    cooperation and reciprocity are essentialproperties which are inherent inthe world ofexistence, and without which the entire

    creation would be reduced to nothingness.(Bah' Writings)

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    The oneness of humanity is the

    fundamental spiritual and social truthshaping our age.(Bah InternationalCommunity)

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    We cannot segregate thehuman heart from the

    environment outside us andsay that once one of these

    is reformed everything willbe improved. Man is

    organic with the world. Hisinner life moulds the

    environment and is itselfalso deeply affected by it.

    (Bah' Writings)

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    TheEarth is

    but onecountry, andmankind its

    citizens.(Bah Writings)

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    Only a comprehensive vision

    of a global society, supported by universalvalues and principles, can inspire individuals totake responsibility for the long-term care and

    protection of the natural environment.Bahs find such a world embracing vision andsystem of values in the teachings of

    Bahullh teachings which herald an eraof planetary justice, prosperity and unity.

    (Bah InternationalCommunity)

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    For Baha'is, Baha'u'llah's promise that

    civilization will exist on this planet for aminimum of five thousand centuries makesit unconscionable to ignore the long-term

    impact of decisions made today. Theworld community must, therefore, learn tomake use of the earth's natural resources,

    both renewable and non-renewable, in amanner that ensures sustainability intothe distant reaches of time.

    (Bah InternationalCommunity)

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