"God forbid!" -- Yes, Global Warming Has Spiritual Dimensions Say 21 Religious Thinkers

"God forbid!" -- Yes, Global Warming Has Spiritual Dimensions Say 21 Religious Thinkers

by staff writer

NEW YORK (RUSHPRNEWS)01/30/09 -- As the Earth continues to heat up degree by degree over the next few centuries, right up to the year 2500, how will humankind view the problems that come with climate change and the devastating impacts of global warming? This is a question that 21 clergy women and men confront head-on in this important new book, and their answers are illuminating.

Titled "Love God Heal Earth", the book was a labor love from Sally Bingham, who serves as the principal author of the tome. One of North America's most influential religious environmentalists, BIngham is environmental minister for San Francisco's Grace Cathedral and for the California Episcopal Diocese, and the founder and president of the Interfaith Power and Light Campaign.

Bingham ponders this question in depth: "What does it take to power a great awakening about Earth's environmental crisis?" Her answer, echoed by the other writers in her book, is this: "Until recently, science has been alone in sounding the alarms while many religious leaders have held back, viewing global warming as a purely secular issue. But now religious voices from across the spectrum -- liberal, conservative, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists -- are joining in one of the largest movements in human history and declaring the environment to be an urgent matter of faith."

Subtitled "21 Leading Religious Voices Speak Out on Our Sacred Duty to Protect the Environment", this book deserves a place on every environmentalist's desk. It brings together 21 highly regarded spiritual leaders from diverse faiths to make the case for environmental stewardship and show how their faith communities are tackling the issue of religion and environment.

Reviews for the book have been positive across the English-speaking world.

When Professor E.O. Wilson, a Harvard biologist and naturalist, and the author of "The Creation: an Appeal to Save Life on Earth", was asked to comment on the book's reach, he told RushPRnews: "The authors of diverse faiths recognize that protecting the planet and all of life is a transcendent responsibility -- for both the scientists who study it and those of religious faith who are able to express its spiritual importance."

Jim Wallis, a well-known spiritual writer and activist, said the book is part of the emerging "creation care movement", which he defined as a a unifying and rallying point for people of faith from across diverse traditions."

The next time you look up at the sun on a clear day in your neighborhood, no matter where you live on Earth, remember that it is that sun that gave birth to life on this fragile little planet orbiting in space, and think about the ways you can make a difference on the ongoing battle against climate change and global warming.

BOOKS NOTE

"Love God Heal Earth"
Sally Bingham and 20 co-authors
St. Lynn's Press
February 1, 2009
US$$17.95