HSC Christianity SOR1

Environmental Ethics

1HSC Christianity SOR1

SyllabusEthicsONE of the following areas of ethical teaching in Christianitybioethicsenvironmental ethicssexual ethics

Learn to-describe and explain Christian ethical teachings on bioethics OR environmental ethics OR sexual ethics

Describe provide characteristics and features

Explain relate cause and effect; make the relationships between things evident.

Environmental Ethics in Christian History

Until the last few decades there have been few examples of environmental awareness in the Christian traditionNot prominent in the mainstream of Christian thought and practice until quite recentlyWith the advent of a global concern for ecology Christian theology has embraced environmental ethics in a substantial responseChristian theologians are now making more substantial use of the biblical reflections on creation as well as the work of historical figures such as Francis of Assisi, Hildegard of Bingen and Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

Christian Environmental Ethics AssignmentChristian Ethicshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9u9FOSc-44c

Stewards or Slayers?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnsgS9bLZaw

Biblical Reflections on Environment

Christian scriptures have a number of ecological themes, many are taken from the Old Testamentsome important principles in the teachings of Jesus have significance for environmental ethics.creation stories of Genesis 1-2 provide the accounts of creationalso provide important insights concerning creation and the relationships and responsibilities that exist between God, humankind and the rest of the created orderHO and Questions

Modern Environmental Ethics

modern Christian thinkers have made enormous contributions to environmental awarenessfor many Christians environmental ethics remains a side issueChurch leaders have universally stated the urgency and priority of environmental actionPope John Paul II has made important contributions to environmental ethicsstatement on ecological awareness "Peace with God the Creator, Peace with all of Creation"released on January 1st 1990 as the Pope's peace day message.June 1991 the World Council of Churches held an international summit on the environmentreleased a statement called "The Joint Appeal in Religion and Science: Statement by Religious Leaders at the World Environment Summit"

Evangelical Environmental Network published its own Declaration on Creation in 1996Forum for Religion and Ecology provides an opportunity for ongoing dialogue among concerned individuals and groupsThe National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) declared a "Decade to overcome Violence" in 2001campaign includes a focus on overcoming violence against the environmentNCCA has also produced a statement on environmental ethics called "Sustaining Creation"released in March 2003 this statement has a particular focus on calling on governments at various levels to provide leadership and act responsibly in relation to the environmentCatholic Church in Australia through the Bishop's Committee on Justice, Development, Ecology and Peace (BCJDEP) has set up an organisation called "Catholic Earthcare Australia" (CEA)

"Catholic Earthcare Australia" (CEA)

CEA the role of advising the Bishops on matters of ecologyincludes the safeguarding of the integrity of creation, environmental justice and ecological sustainability.Responsible for carrying out research, developing and furthering national networks, sponsoring and undertaking environmental initiatives and providing educational materialsin 2005 CEA held a national conference in Canberra and has produced a number of resources including an environmental audit that can be used by organisations to review their environmental practice

other significant initiatives include:

Anglican Diocese of Newcastle Environment Commission

Anglican Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn Commission for the EnvironmentCatholic EarthCare AustraliaColumban Centre for Peace, Ecology and JusticeCREATE (Christian Environment Network developed by the Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane)Earth Bible ProjectSeason of CreationUniting Justice resources

View essay examples on handout

What are some of the environmental issues today?The question is what would God want us to do?Todays concerns reflect a past ignorance and materialism or sometimes greed.Is this following the basic commandment of loving yoir neighbour as yourself?Environmental destruction is stealing from the future.

SuggestionsHave 3 environmental concerns as examples eg Global warming, floods/droughtsVariants-3 typesBible teachings