Religion and the path to a sustainable culture

Cultures are ever-evolving mosaics that shape the values, beliefs, and practices of societies around the world. They play a crucial role in influencing individual and collective behaviours, with religion often acting as a central pillar. In today's world, with the pressing need for sustainability and the responsible use of resources, it is imperative that we understand the role religion can play in fostering a culture of sustainability. By leveraging the deep spiritual connections and moral imperatives present in religious teachings, we can inspire a global shift towards more sustainable practices and a greener future.

The Evolution of Culture

Culture is a complex and dynamic phenomenon, formed by the collective ideas, customs, and social behaviours of a society. It evolves over time, shaped by factors such as geographical location, historical events, and the exchange of ideas with other cultures. Crucially, culture permeates every aspect of human life, guiding our actions, beliefs, and values.

In many ways, culture acts as a powerful force in determining how we interact with the world around us. It establishes social norms that influence our attitudes towards the environment, consumption patterns, and even our understanding of the planet's resources. By influencing these critical aspects of our lives, culture has the potential to drive meaningful change in the pursuit of a sustainable future.

The Role of Religion in Shaping Cultures

Religion has long played a pivotal role in shaping the cultural landscape of societies across the globe. It provides a shared set of beliefs, rituals, and moral frameworks that bind communities together and infuse life with a sense of purpose and meaning. As an integral part of the cultural fabric, religion can significantly influence the values and behaviours of its followers.

Today, nearly 84% of the global population identifies with a religion or spiritual tradition, demonstrating the far-reaching impact of religion on human lives. This vast majority represents an opportunity for religious institutions to promote sustainability, emphasizing the need for responsible stewardship of the Earth's resources and encouraging the adoption of eco-friendly practices.

Religion's Call for Sustainability

A common thread weaving through the teachings of many world religions is the call for harmony with nature and the responsible use of resources. These tenets provide a solid foundation for promoting sustainability within religious communities. In Christianity, for example, the concept of stewardship emphasizes the responsibility to care for God's creation. Similarly, Islam encourages environmental protection through the principles of Khalifa (stewardship) and Mizaan (balance).

The following is a list of examples, organized alphabetically by religion, that showcase teachings from different faiths that advocate for sustainability and planet preservation. Although this list is not exhaustive, it demonstrates the profound integration of sustainability principles within various religious traditions.

Baha?i: “Nature is God's Will and is its expression in and through the contingent?

world.” (Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 142). This line conveys that we cannot separate ourselves from nature.

Buddhism:

In the Sutta Nipata (verse 44), it is said, "As a bee gathers honey from the flower without injuring its color or fragrance, even so, the sage goes on his alms-round in the village." This verse emphasizes the importance of living in harmony with nature and taking only what is necessary without causing harm. Another teaching from (Dalai Lama, 1990a) “Our ancestors viewed the earth as rich and bountiful, which it is. Many people in the past also saw nature as inexhaustibly sustainable, which we now know is the case only if we care for it.”. This underlines the values of conservation and responsibility for our future.?

Christianity: In the Bible, Genesis 2:15 states, "The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it." This verse emphasizes the responsibility of humans to tend to and preserve the environment. Other lines stressing the importance of caring for the environment “We must treat nature with the same awe and wonder that we reserve for human beings. And we do not need this insight in order to believe in God or to prove his existence. We need it to breathe; we need it for us simply to be.” (Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, 2010).

Hinduism: In the Bhagavad Gita (3:12), it is mentioned, "In charge of the various necessities of life, the demigods, being satisfied by the performance of yajna [sacrifice], supply all necessities to man. But he who enjoys these gifts without offering them to the demigods in return is certainly a thief." This teaching emphasizes the importance of living in harmony with nature and giving back to the environment. Also, Hinduism has many references of divinity intertwined with nature and how we must preserve it. “There is an inseparable bond between man and nature. For man, there cannot be an existence removed from nature.” (Amma, 2011).?

Islam: “Devote thyself single-mindedly to the Faith, and thus follow the nature designed by Allah, the nature according to which He has fashioned mankind. There is no altering the creation of Allah.” (Qur?an 30:30). Wasteful consumption is considered a sin in Islam. There are also teachings that encourage sustainable use of resources and responsible agricultural practices, for example The Qur'an (6:141) teaches, "He it is who produces gardens, with trellises and without, and dates, and tilth with the produce of all kinds, and olives and pomegranates, similar (in kind) and different (in variety): eat of their fruit in their season, but render the dues that are proper on the day that the harvest is gathered."?

Jainism: "Do not injure, abuse, oppress, enslave, insult, torment, torture, or kill any creature or living being." (Mahavira). Kindness to animals, vegetarianism, non-violence, and the avoidance of waste are integral parts of Jainism.?

Judaism: In the Torah, the concept of "bal tashchit" (Deuteronomy 20:19-20) prohibits the unnecessary destruction of trees and natural resources. This teaching encourages environmental conservation and responsible resource use.

Sikhism: Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, taught that the Earth is a sacred space, and humans have a responsibility to protect it. In the Guru Granth Sahib (p.8), it is mentioned, "Air is the Guru, Water is the Father, and Earth is the Great Mother of all." This teaching emphasizes the interconnectedness of all elements and the importance of caring for the environment.

Taoism: “This original nature is the eternal law. To know nature's law is to be enlightened. He who is ignorant of nature?s law shall act recklessly and thus will invite misfortune. To know the constant law of nature is to be generous. Being generous, one is impartial. Being impartial, one is sovereign. Sovereign is nature itself.” (Lao-Tzu,Tao Te Ching, Chapter 16) Taoism too emphasizes maintaining the divine harmony between nature and humanity.

Clearly, all faiths in the world advocate respect for nature as part of the larger framework of teachings.?

By highlighting these teachings and emphasizing the importance of sustainability, religious institutions can inspire a more profound sense of environmental stewardship and responsibility in their followers. This shared commitment to sustainability can, in turn, influence cultural norms and foster the adoption of eco-friendly behaviours.

A Call to Action for Religious Bodies

To effect real change and create a culture of sustainability, it is crucial for religious bodies to champion the message of environmental stewardship and conservation within their communities. By drawing on the moral imperatives present in religious teachings, they can encourage a shift towards more sustainable lifestyles and mindful consumption habits.

Religious institutions can lead by example, implementing environmentally friendly practices in their places of worship, and engaging in community-based projects that promote sustainability. By integrating sustainability into sermons and educational programs, they can inspire followers to take a more deliberate approach to their environmental impact and play an active role in protecting the planet.

Religious offerings, feasts, and festivities have their own special significance across cultures and faiths. While they are to be rejoiced, it is also essential to do so more sustainably; for instance, by being mindful of how much and what we consume, reducing food wastage, using efficient distribution systems, and more.?

The Islamic fasting month of Ramadan is a month full of introspection and retrospection. The objective is clearly stated in the Qur?an: Only those who attain more taqwa (God-consciousness) during Ramadan have truly fasted in the Qur?anic sense. In other words, the aim is for people to become more mindful of their thoughts and actions.?

Ramadan is thus an opportunity for believers to rethink and make lasting changes in their behaviour, including our consumption and our interactions with nature. The Qur?an says that Allah forbids wastefulness and commands halal (permitted) and tayyib (good/healthy) food. The holy month also reminds us of our fragility and unquestionable dependence on the provision of our Creator.?

In a world where the majority of people identify as religious, the power of religion to influence cultural norms and behaviours cannot be underestimated. By emphasizing the teachings of environmental stewardship and responsible resource use, religious institutions can inspire a global shift towards a culture of sustainability. Together, we can create a greener, more equitable future for all of Earth's inhabitants, united in our shared commitment to protecting and preserving our precious planet.