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Published on Visualizing Ecology (http://www2.evergreen.edu/visecowinter)

Caity Aldrich

“Formally man had been part of nature; now he was the exploiter of nature”.

 

This excerpt from Lynn White Jr’s ‘Historical Roots of our Ecological Crisis’ is a deft representation of the effects of mankind’s dominant mentality over nature, separating the two, and man becoming ‘master’ (1205). Many Christians argue this is validated through the first chapter of the Bible, Genesis, when GOD created man in his image, ‘giving him dominion over every living thing that moves upon earth’. That all that was physically created was for man’s own interest, and to serve him for his own purposes. Contrary to ancient pagan views, Christianity both separates the ideas of man and nature, but states it was ‘Gods will that man exploit nature for his proper ends’ (1205). Having this outlook greatly influences the way our society has dealt, and continues to deal with our ecology. This is especially true when thinking of the world’s current state, with issue like overpopulation, global warming, and pollution.

            Wendell Berry also understood the historical effects of the Christian mentality towards nature, acredititing “priests, preachers, and missionaries in the cultural destruction and the economic exploitation of the primary peoples of the Western Hemisphere as well as traditional cultures around the world” (1). Berry’s ideas conflicted with White’s, and I found myself agreeing more with those, finding them more relatable. A major argument that caught my attention, was that mankind does not own the world, “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof: the world and they that dwell therein” (Ps. 24:1). This brings up a valid point, it seems that mankind is apart of nature, and its cycles serving under god, instead of being above of it. Wendell Berry uses this quote“the land is mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with me” (Lev. 25:23), to provide an example of how men are ‘guests in the steward of God’ (2). If this is the case, then Christians have not treated gods land in a sacred way, by overusing their natural resources, and leaving the land in a desperate state.  If our society, which is heavily influenced by the Christian religion, does not change it’s mentality that man is not apart of nature, then its exploitation will not cease.

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http://www2.evergreen.edu/visecowinter/visecowinter/caity-aldrich