Is 'green' religion the solution to the ecological crisis? A case study of mainstream religion in Australia.

摘要: A significant and growing number of authors commentators have proposed that ecologically enlightened (‘greened’) religion is the solution or at least a major part to global ecological crisis. These include Birch, 1965 p90; Brindle, 2000; Callicott, 1994; Gardner, 2002, 2003, 2006; Gore Jr., 1992; Gottlieb, 2006, 2007; Hallman, Hamilton, 2006b, a, 2007b; Hessel & Ruether, 2000b; Hitchcock, 1999; King, 2002; Lerner, 2006a; McDonagh, 1987; McFague, 2001; McKenzie, 2005; Nasr, 1996; Oelschlaeger, Palmer, Randers, 1972; Tucker Grim, White 1967. Proponents offer variety reasons for this view, including majority world’s many nations’ people identify themselves as religious, there large amount land infrastructure controlled by religious organisations worldwide. However, most important reason ‘religion’ said one more exceptional qualities can drive sustain dramatic personal societal change. The underlying sometimes overt suggestion crisis ultimately moral crisis, best placed address problem its root. above views are often though who not. Many proponents from USA write in context powerful role country. Others context. Very few about Australian where society variously argued be virtually non-existent, soon profound but covert. This thesis tests proposition It does using case study mainstream Australia, represented Catholic, Anglican, Uniting Churches. Churches’ policies practices analysed determine extent which these denominations fulfilling, might able fulfil, proposition. primary research method an Internet-based search policy praxis material. methodology Critical Human Ecology. finds that: ‘greening’ evident; it recent phenomenon older Churches; wealth environmentalist sentiment being produced; little institutional has occurred. Despite oftenstrong rhetoric, no evidence suggest concerns, even linked broader social concerns (termed ‘ecojustice’) ‘core business’ Churches institutions. Conventional anthropocentric welfare remain dominant.