Religion, Feminism, and Environmentalism - Essay Example

? Number] Religion, Feminism and Environmentalism Introduction: The Hindu, Christian and Buddhist women have long worked for the development of the ecological sustainability. These women have commonly contributed to these developments as their religious traditions and the evolution of the world directs them towards the ecological sustainability and their role in the development of the ecology. The concept of ecological sustainability in the Hindu traditions goes back to the traditional beliefs of respecting and creating a special relationship with the environment around. Similarly, in Christian women the ecological sustainability revives the tradition that God gave this world to the creatures for their use and dominance over the earth and all its creations. Buddhism also promotes the idea of environmental ethics in the daily lives of the people to promote a non-violent ecology. What is ecological feminism? Ecological feminism is a term that describes the parallel system of environmental exploitation and exploitation of women in the society. These theories suggest that the natural resources and women, both are exploited by the dominance of men. Men are dominant on nature and women because these are the powerless groups. The control over nature is seen as parallel to the control over women. The male dominance in the society is seen by the eco-feminists as the reason for the environmental crisis that we are facing. The male dominance agents include fights for power, political ties, the male oriented culture of decision making etc., and these are merely the reasons for the destruction of the environment. The ecological feminist theories also play an important role to highlight the relationship among the environmental politics and the philosophy of the society. These theories say that this relation is enhanced by the focus on gender. Philosophically, eco-feminism is the name given to the concept that talks about the link of ecology and feminism. This concept may be supported and opposed by the examination of this link. Some of the conceptual frameworks that are covered under the theory of eco-feminism are the distinction among feminism and animal liberation, violence and exploitation of environment etc. Ecological feminism shows that man is dominant on both; nature and women (Warren 25). Feminism is linked with ecology and eco-feminists argue that there is a deep connection between nature and women. Women have the potential to dominate the environment. The reasons for this link are the oppression that is faced commonly by women and nature at the hands of the male dominant, patriarchal society. Women are believed to have ecological knowledge ever since the society emerged. They connect with the environment through the daily interactions they make with nature’s processes. Ecological feminism in India: Feminism in India describes the equality of men and women that is established on social, political and economic level. Feminists in India are active and have quite successfully provided the women in India with equal rights in health, work and politics. This has led to many developments of which women have been a huge part whether it is the abolition of Sati, independent organizations for women movements by Gandhi or the equality in men and women observed in modern India. Women were treated and feminism was considered to be different in India than in the West. Religion has played a major role to identify the power of women in India, and women are given the cultural space. The western society rather believes in individualism and free rights because of which feminism is promoted. The views of Hindus about nature are evident from the Hindu scripture and philosophy. According to the spirituality of Hindus, the women have greatly contributed in the ecological developments since the beginning. Their long history of Goddesses also shows the formative role of women in Hindu culture and religion, for example the association of women such as Lakshmi and Jaya with rivers to symbolize purity. Since Indian religion and traditions were strong, women movements started becoming more common especially at the time of Gandhi when a woman movement was initiated to respond to the financial interests, replanting forests and economic development. The movement was worldwide recognized as symbolic for the liberation of women. Hindu conceptions of women and their divine position, earth and nature have led to the increased role of women in farming, environment, industries etc. (Nelson 65). Christianity and eco-feminism: Some of the Christian thinkers concluded that the environmental problems that the Christians are facing are merely the result of Christianity practises and ideas. This concept was questionable and was opposed by many stating that God did give power to the humans but in the condition that they use it wisely and with care. This context is used to link the Christianity to the environmental crisis suffered by the society. Christianity also talks about eco-feminism and spirituality to address to the solutions of the environmental problems. They observe that masculine dominance exists on the earth and over women, and spirituality will help to modify these aspects. Women have raised their voices throughout the Christian traditions to deal with the ecological problems. Theories have been developed in regard to the philosophical aspect which considers earth and nature to be sacred. Religious Christian movements have provided a framework for the ecological sustainability (Conradie 3). The ecological theology is the attempt to revive the ecological wisdom in Christianity so that the environmental injustices will be resolved. The idea is to renew the traditions and overcome the sexist hierarchy present in the society. The sexist hierarchy highlights the male dominance, patriarchal culture and the feminine critique because of which ecological problems incur. The ecological theory does not only help the Christian traditions to enhance the ecological concerns, but rather it allows them to be reformed and renewed. Ruether was a feminist theologian whose points were to remove the traces of sexism from the society and understand the role of women. She questioned the religious traditional theories that were apparently written by men for men. She focused on a theory written by women for women (Gottlieb 104). Ecological sustainability in Buddhism: In the Buddhist point of view, all beings can be free from pain and suffering if they start treating others with happiness and love. All beings should tend to help each other in order to gain a stronger society. Some of the Buddhist scholars describe the ecological sustainability principles as consciousness that lies within the beings. In order to achieve ecological sustainability, all beings should be aware of all that is happening around them. The scholars suggest that consuming more and more is not the way to achieve true happiness. We need to change our lifestyle and bring joy into our lives. The principles that need to be adopted are preserving the Earth and nature by consuming less and not depriving ourselves. Buddhist has mindful of concepts that teach about the ecological connections between people, animals and nature. However, Buddhist nuns and women play a very insufficient role in the ecological affairs. Being a Buddha feminist scholar, Rita Gross has the chance to bring out the modern Buddhist woman in the society. Her articles and her books focus on the gender equality highlighted in the religion but never noticed. Through her writings, she respects the women spirituality and their role in the religion of Buddhism. She does believe on the traditional oppression and harm for the women, but she is focused to change those perceptions (Gross 79). Conclusion: Thus, every religion has their own way of dealing with the principles of ecological sustainability but the common features seen are the eco-feminist theories. These theories focus on the relation of women and nature which are bound by religious, traditional and social boundaries. Whether it is individualism, equality or religious history, women are seen as linked to the environment and the society around them. It is essential that God has made and placed women at a place through which her actions are directly linked to the earth and nature. Work Cited Conradie Ernst. Christianity and Ecological Theology: Resources for further research. Stellenbosch: African Sun Media, 2006. Print. ? Gottlieb Roger. This Sacred Earth: Religion, Nature, Environment. NY: Routledge, 1996. Print. ? Gross Rita. Buddhism after Patriarchy: A Feminist History, Analysis, and Reconstruction of Buddhism. NY: State University of New York Press, 1993. Print. ? Nelson Lance. Purifying the Earthly Body of God: Religion and Ecology in Hindu India. NY: SUNY Press, 1998. Print. ? Warren Karen. Ecological Feminism. NY: Routledge, 1994. Print. Read More