Faith and the Environment
E-book illuminates reverence of religions toward nature
November 15, 2021
Faith, in all its forms, plays a critical role in many people’s lives. Whether that faith is Islam, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, or any other, it binds people together and gives them something to strive for.
At EARTHDAY.ORG, we too are striving for something. We want to Restore Our Earth. In that mission, working with faith groups is crucial because of their existing convictions toward protecting nature and the trust they build surrounding their community.
Faith groups have been an important part of the work we do at EARTHDAY.ORG since the first Earth Day in 1970 and still are today through our Faith & the Environment Campaign. To highlight the importance of these partnerships and the existing reverence that many religions have for nature, EARTHDAY.ORG – India recently released an eBook, titled “Sayings on Nature from Different Religions.”
The book brings together quotes from nine major religions ─ Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Judaism, Sikhism, Zoroastrianism, and the indigenous Santhal ─ to highlight the commitments those religions have to protecting nature.
On World Teacher’s Day on October 5, the United Interfaith Foundation India held a launch event for the e-book that was attended by major faith leaders from 15 different faiths. At the event, many of these leaders gave speeches that further emphasized their own groups’ commitment to protect the Earth in partnership with EARTHDAY.ORG.
The archbishop of Kolkata, The Most Rev Thomas D’Souza, announced that the Foundation (of which he is President) would release a more detailed version of the book for Earth Day 2022. The secretary of the International Vedanta Society, Swami Achyutananda Puri, emphasized the importance of caring for every aspect of nature, down to a blade of grass. EARTHDAY.ORG – India’s regional director Asia, Karuna Singh, emphasized the importance of being part of nature and acknowledging its role as a teacher and provider for all.
“Since the first Earth Day in 1970, the global faith community has been an integral part of the fight against climate change,” said Kathleen Rogers, EARTHDAY.ORG president.
EARTHDAY.ORG faith partners elevate our mission of climate action in myriad ways, including by planning Earth Day events. To join us as a faith partner, sign up here.
