In class today we discussed the powerful affect that nature has on a person, as well as the way that Robert Hass studied nature in the poem “State of the Planet”. As we watched the different videos that were shown while we were in class, I was once again, left in awe of God’s wonderful creation that he put on earth for His enjoyment. Even though He put it here for Himself, I still cannot help but enjoy the beautiful trees, the gorgeous flowers, and the ocean as it slams against the shore. I do believe that it is important to recognize that God created nature and we need to be good stewards of what he has created.
What Professor Corrigan said in class is correct. He said, “It doesn’t make any sense that atheists care more about this earth than Christians do.” We as Christians believe that God created the heavens and the earth and all of the inhabitants within it. This is why it does not make sense that we would not care to take care of it. For if we truly cared about our God, wouldn’t we care about the things that he made?
However, I also see a different side to this subject that I want to make very clear. I believe in taking care of our ecosystem and our environment, but I also believe that there is a fine line that can be crossed in which people get overly protective of nature. The reason I bring up this point is because I believe that Jesus first came to earth to love people, not the soil beneath them. I am very passionate about helping people and I think that should be our priority. Although I believe taking care of the earth is important, I do not think that people should be neglected. For example, there are hundreds of thousands of children in China that are orphaned. This is in China alone. These people, these children need help, they need love.
Although our environment and ecosystem is very important, we must ask ourselves a very important question. Am I focusing on the ecosystem more than I am focusing on people? What is it that God has called us to do first? I for one believe that I have first been called to love others.
I think you are doing some good thinking here. Mind if I offer some more thoughts to reflect on.
ReplyDeleteI think that the two are related: when the earth gets hurt, the people who live on the earth get hurt (this includes everyone, but it effects those who are poorest the most).
You ask: "Am I focusing on the ecosystem more than I am focusing on people?" I really don't think that the two are in conflict. And, even if they could be in conflict, I've not met anyone who is in danger of loving the ecosystem instead of people.
People are part of the ecosystem. I think we ought to take a holistic approach.
I've heard the argument before about needing to care more about people than about nature. I think that it is mostly a red-herring argument so that people can dismiss the environment.
Besides, if we are talking about paying attention to the earth as a spiritual practice, then by the people-vs-ecosystem logic, one might as well say to a person who spends several hours a week in worship through music, "Do you care more about music than people? Get out of church and go down to a soup kitchen."
Instead, I believe, we need both.
this is very true... I like the point you made about caring about music more than people. I just think that there needs to be balance in the "go green" movement. I now can understand that caring about our ecosystem and caring about our environment do go hand in hand. The point of view that I am thinking about is from more of the emotional needs of others. There are millions of children in orphanages all over the world. I don't think that going green will help these children experience love. I do think that we need to care for the world in which we live. But more than that I believe that we need to LOVE the people in the world in which we live. We cannot have one without the other, but I still place people higher than the nature.
ReplyDeleteI think the poem State of the Planet is one of my favorite poems we have read this year. Not only that but one of the best poems I have ever read personally. I love sitting in nature. What better way to experience God than through His own handy work.
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