The Christian View on Nature
...i, states the Bible sets human beings against nature, makes human beings superior to, and in control of, nature (Kinsley 105). I believe this Biblical thought has caused an increase in pollution and gas omissions because humans have a lack of caring for the environment. Whether these environmental problems stem from Christian thought or not is up to the mind of the individual. Christian ethics are sometimes hard to discover when it comes to dealing with nature. I believe deforestation should be a major concern for our society today. The rainforests and other forests are being torn down and damaged at a faster rate than it can recover. That is why I have developed the Christian ethic against deforestation. I believe the Bible, scientific thought, and other scriptures offer support against deforestation and offer solutions to ending it. Deforestation is the destruction and clearing of the natural habitat of forests. Not only does this practice disrupt a habitat, it also displaces many species of animals. John Muir offers the thought that the Creator has made Homo sapiens and all other earthly creatures from the same material, no matter how insignificant the species (31). This idea by Muir reminded me of the teachings of a great Christian thinker named St. Augustine. He stated, “the ultimate purpose of the whole creation is beauty and that the purpose of creation is to glorify God in all his splendor” (Kinsley 120). In order for us to glorify God and create beauty, nature and all of creation must work together. Deforestation directly violates these principles by destroying part of God’s creation and not replacing what has been taken. Another Christian theologian would have had a conniption if he ever saw the effects of deforestation. St. Francis of Assisi had affection for nonhumans as brothers and sisters. Assisi praised every aspect of life from the trees to insects because he had love for all of God’s creation. Deforestation and the destruction of a species’ natural habitat directly goes against the teachings of St. Francis of Assisi. I believe humans are treating another part of God’s creation with a lack of respect. The environment can not continue to be polluted and destroy if future generations plan to live earth, which I think they do. We need to treat nature like God intended us to treat it, with respect and dignity. Faith is connected with nature because God created nature. God created the beauty and the beasts of our world, all of which need to be treated as a creation of God. Since humans are arguably the most dominant and intellectual creatures on earth, we must apply our technology and take care of the lesser. I believe God intended for humans to rule the earth, but not mistreat the beauty of it. That is exactly what humans are doing through acts such as deforestation, overpopulation, and polluting. I believe it is the duty of the dominant entity to take care of the lesser. Not only does this apply to nature, but...