All forms of life modify their contexts

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Christian Buddhist Hindu Muslim Jewish
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All forms of life modify their contexts

• By Victoria Bleakley and Melissa Crowe

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Basic technology of the later Middle Ages changed
the land. Western technology has absorbed
elements from all over the world. Western science
is the heir to all past sciences.
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But how can this be so?

• Water power in 800AD
• Chemicals for pest control
• New tools
• Distribution of land

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As early as the 2nd century, it was in the minds
of people since man was created in the image of
God, man was to rule the world as a God.
Christianity is the most anthropocentric
religion the world has ever seen. - White
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• Christianity is a complete opposite to Paganism
• Christianity established a dualism of man and
  nature
• And insisted Gods will is for man to exploit
  nature for his proper ends
• Genesis 127-30
• We live as we have lived for 1700 years, very
  largely in a context of Christian axioms.

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We are often preoccupied with the fear of
overcrowding and poisoning the planet with
landfills, oil spills, and toxic chemicals when
we think of ecology.
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The psalms show no such fear, for overcrowding
and pollution were not major problems in that
pre-industrial civilization. A wish God would
cleanse the earth. The beauty of the earth,
made by God, calls out for purity purity of the
heart.
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Today, the impact of our race upon the
environment has so increased in force that it has
changed the essence of the world.
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Through the quest for more

• Potash
• Sulfur
• Iron ore
• Charcoal
• Oil
• Trees
• Etc.

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Point blank

• We are all guilty.

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Instead of placing the blame on a specific
religion or faith, the finger should point at
society. We live in a selfish society where
the individual always comes first.
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There are many calls to action, but specific
proposals, however worthy as individual items,
seem too negative ban the bomb, tear down the
billboards, give the Hindus contraceptives and
tell them to eat their sacred cows. The simplest
solution to any suspect is, of course, to stop
it. - White