Worshipping at the Earth’s Altar

Caring for the environment is not a new idea. People around the world have been practicing environmental stewardship for centuries, placing value on a harmonious existence with nature. 

While the environmental movement today has become generally associated with liberal, secular ideologies, the values of respecting nature and taking care of it for future generations, are firmly rooted in the belief systems of almost every one of the world’s major religions. 

Buddhism

“Let him not destroy, or cause to be destroyed, any life at all, nor sanction the acts of those who do so. Let him refrain from even hurting any creature, both those that are strong and those that tremble in the world.” – Sutta-Nipata, Buddhist scripture

It is not surprising that a religion which teaches that every living thing has a spirit and is intrinsically linked to every other organism, would encourage its followers to care for nature. Conserving natural resources, respecting animals, and living a balanced, compassionate life are all important Buddhist teachings, and have been passed down through generations in moral stories, or Jatakas. 

Buddhism, one of the five major world religions, originated in India about 2,500 years ago when

a young Indian prince named Siddhartha Gautama became the first person to reach nirvana — a state of complete spiritual enlightenment — by renouncing all material possessions and meditating quietly beneath a tree. Blessed with his newfound enlightenment, the Buddha, as he came to be called, began to teach others what he had learned. 

The Buddha taught his followers that life is a never-ending cycle of pain, suffering and reincarnation, and that only by reaching nirvana can one ultimately escape this cycle. These basic beliefs form the Buddha’s Four Noble Truths, which explain that suffering exists, why suffering exists, that one can escape suffering, and how one can do that. 

Another belief central to Buddhism is that of karma, the idea that your actions in this lifetime directly influence whether you will be happy or unhappy in your next. Therefore, Buddhist teachings encourage practicing respect, abstaining from violence, and living in harmony with all life. 

Hinduism

“The gods will give you the food of your desire. Whoever enjoys their gift, yet gives nothing, is a thief, no more, no less.” (Bhagavad Gita 3.12)

Hinduism, considered the oldest existing religion, dates back several thousand years earlier than Buddhism, and many of the beliefs central to Buddhism are also found in the Veda, a collection of sacred Hindu scriptures. These include the concepts of reincarnation, karma, and ‘dharma’ — the idea of an established social order and a righteous path of living that involves making moral and ethical choices. 

One uniquely Hindu belief is that of ‘brahman’, or the ultimate source of all life and reality, and a kind of abstract supreme God. Not only do Hindus believe that humans are an intrinsic part of the natural world, they believe that the natural world is a physical manifestation of divinity, and therefore that it is imperative to respect nature as one would a god or goddess. 

The earth itself is venerated as a mother figure in Hinduism, and many Hindu rituals revolve around honoring the earth, requesting protection and sustenance, and asking for forgiveness for trespassing. Similarly, Hindus believe that environmental stewardship and ecological conservation are crucial aspects of dharma, and that it is the duty of mankind to care for the natural world.

As Buddhists strive for nirvana, Hindus aim to reach ‘moksha’ — the end to the cycle of pain and suffering. According to Hindu ideology, living a righteous life and abstaining from violence against any living thing is the key to attaining moksha and bringing about positive karma. 

Islam

“The world is beautiful and verdant, and verily God, be He exalted, has made you His stewards in it, and He sees how you acquit yourselves.” – Prophet Muhammad

Islam — the second-largest religion in the world and the fastest growing religion — is a monotheistic religion, meaning that Muslims believe in one god, Allah. Muslims follow the teachings of Muhammad, believed to have been the final prophet sent by Allah to spread his word. 

These teachings, which are outlined in the Quran, the holy book of Islam, include the Five Pillars of Islam: profession of faith, daily prayer, giving alms, fasting at Ramadan, and making a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca. 

Like Buddhism and Hinduism, Islam teaches its followers to respect and protect nature as God’s creation, not only for our own benefit but for that of the whole planet. In fact, Muslims believe that every living thing has the right to basic elements such as water, fire, and light. 

The Islamic idea of ‘amanah’, which overlaps in some ways with the concept of dharma in Hinduism and Buddhism, pertains to the responsibility that each person has to live and act in a way which is moral, righteous and respectful of Allah, as well as the duty of every man and woman to protect and care for the natural world. 

Judaism

“But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth and it will teach you; the fish of the sea, they will inform you …” (Job 12:7-9)

Like Islam and Christianity, Judaism originated in the Middle East around 2000 BCE with Abraham — spiritual founder of all three religions. Beliefs central to Judaism include God creating the world and everything in it, God desiring people to be kind and just, and God rewarding goodness while punishing evil. 

In Judaism, while humans are considered to have pride of place in the hierarchy of life, humans also carry the responsibility of caring for the earth and all its inhabitants for everyone’s benefit.   

There are many Jewish laws regarding proper environmental conduct, including halakhah, which prohibits the wasteful use of any resource, and laws against causing the extinction of species or undue pain to animals. The Torah also outlines several laws regarding duties to address environmental injustice. 

The Jewish tradition of shmita, or the sabbatical year, is the agricultural practice of harvesting for six years and letting the land rest for one year, so that every seventh year provides the earth with a sort of renewal. This tradition exemplifies modern practices of regenerative agriculture which have come to be widely accepted by the ecological community, and shows us that many of today’s common environmental practices are much older than we might think. 

Wicca

“When we lose touch with our blessed planet, we lose touch with deity.” – Scott Cunningham, Wicca: A Guide for The Solitary Practitioner

Wicca is a spiritual religion whose followers refer to themselves as “Wiccans” and “witches” (regardless of gender identity) and worship nature. Often considered a modern interpretation of pagan or pre-Christian values, Wicca began in the UK in the 1940s and arrived in the United States in the 1960s. 

Wiccans worship both a male God and a female Goddess, distinguishing themselves from followers of other mainstream monotheistic religions, such as Christianity. In addition, Wicca generally does not teach a strict belief system, and instead encourages direct spiritual experience. The one rule of Wicca is “to harm none and do as you will.” 

Wiccans believe that divine energy is found all around us, and therefore view nature as sacred and worthy of respect and protection. Like Hindus and Buddhists, many Wiccans also believe in karma and reincarnation, while the quest for enlightenment is considered to be the search for one’s true place in the universe. 

Like many other pagan religions, Wiccan celebrations revolve around the seasons. Wiccans observe the Sacred Wheel of the Year, which includes the solstices and equinoxes, and agricultural and pastoral festivals. Wiccans also celebrate solar festivals (“Sabbats”) and lunar observances (“Esbats.”) 

Wiccan ritual gatherings generally include meditation, music, and prayer. Followers may give offerings to various spiritual entities, or the God and Goddess themselves, while prayers often consist of giving thanks to Mother Earth for her bounty, and asking for divine protection and spiritual healing. Many Wiccans also practice “herbal magic,” and possess extensive knowledge of nature-based medicines, spells and other healing rituals. 

Feeling Inspired? 

If learning about all the ways that cultures around the world value environmental protection has left you feeling inspired to become more active in the environmental community, AND in recognition of the Spring Equinox on March 20 — a day of renewal and rebirth celebrated in many world religions and cultures — visit EARTHDAY.ORG to explore resources on how to get involved in a broad range of environmental initiatives. 

Plus, learn more about how Indigenous Peoples are some of our planet’s fiercest environmental protectors.