Religion, Feminism, and Environmentalism - Research Paper Example

?Client’s Ecology, Feminism, and the Concern of Religious Women Introduction One of the common principles that one can find in most religions is that mankind has a responsibility to take care of the Earth and to protect the resources that can be found within it. Women have found that the principles of female interests and the needs of the world run together towards the goal of a peaceful, ecologically balanced Earth. Women who are both religious and in support of the efforts of the women’s movement have sought common ground in order to actively pursue ecological interests. In comparing Christian, Hindu, and Buddhist faiths in context with women’s movements, it is clear they are actively interested in both principles of equality and ecology where common ground can be found which unites these belief systems. Ecological Feminism Ecological feminism is a theory that combines feminist ideals and motivations with a concern with preserving the world through ecological perspectives. Warren and Cheney write that “Ecological feminism is a feminism which attempts to unite the demands of the women's movement with those of the ecological movement in order to bring about a world and worldview that are not based on socioeconomic and conceptual structures of domination”.1 The marriage of the women’s movement and ecological interests is not new and can be seen in many cultures, including in Brazil where the women’s movement and the landless people movement were grew together in order to support the concept of living off of the land in a communal and freedom based environment that was contextually absent of consumerist interests. This was done in order to support the weak and the marginalized in a meaningful and bountiful way.2 It may be that the problems within the environment are some of the most serious problems that are being faced in the 21st century as the economy and the act of working is based upon consumerism which often strips resources and fundamentally changes ecological systems both nonhuman and human.3 The idea of ecological feminist movements are often based upon practical solutions to social problems where in the shadow of patriarchy and male dominance, alternatives to participation in economies where there are disadvantaged women find ways in which to focus on less economically based roots of survival. Hindu The traditions of India were always based upon ecological principles in which sustainability was a driving force behind decision making in relationship to resources. Religious texts such as the Vedas and Puranas supported environmental ethics as well as the Advaita philosophy that “acquires a cosmic character as it considers all living beings to be God’s creation”4 This is the basis of Indian belief systems that place importance on reverence for the Earth. However, industrialization and the formation of larger cities as centers of employment have led to deforestation and he disruption of what had been carefully attended ecologies, specifically affecting women who depend more on the natural world for their sustenance and methods of earning a living. The development of environmental movements have allowed women a common cause that does not run contrary to other cultural belief systems, but allows them to assert themselves into the public discourse. The extremes of poverty sometimes prevent women in India to become activists, but it galvanizes others.5 In India, the issues of ecology and sustainability are integral to the needs of many women who are struggling with extremes of poverty that is heightened by destruction of resources that would have otherwise supported them. As in most nations, women in India are among the poorest demographic, with urbanization pushing women into the workforce at a higher rate of 19.5%, which leaves them in marginalized social positions in low paying jobs.6 The issue of ecological irresponsibility affects these women directly as their tradition and culture is irrevocably changed, the sustainability of the ecology is central to their immediate struggles. Christian One of the first ideas brought forward by Ruether as she explores ideas by Lynn White from 1967 that the doctrine of domination that is found in Genesis has been an excuse for the Western Christian world to use up resources without regard to principles of sustainability. Rather than stewardship, Christian disconnection from the body has alienated women, non-human animals, and the Earth from men to the extent that all that are other than men are usable and disposable. The idea of abusing the body and being separated from the Earth has been a part of the underlying thread of thought that has dominated Christian patriarchy. Ruether goes on to explain, however, that this disconnect is a fairly new phenomenon where in the early and medieval periods of Christianity where a “sacrementality of the whole earth and cosmos” was at the center of worship, vegetarianism and communal lifestyles by monks were developed as a way of being in touch with the Earth and its bounty.7 The development of a simplistic life is highly non-consumerist, however, and in the process of working towards land domination and the increasing industrialization of the world the monastic simplicity was in conflict with the development of the current economy. One of the developments in contrast to the consumerist ideals that dominate in the Western Christian world is that of women’s orders within the Catholic Church who are striving towards living in a communal lifestyle where they have regained a rural focus. This is also shaping their prayer as it is becoming more associated to the seasonal changes. Buddhist A Buddhist theory on the evil of the world that is at the basis of the “degradation of the environment” is based upon a belief that greed is the great destroyer of the world. The second guiding idea of Buddhism is that “compulsive desire and addictive clinging are the cause of suffering.8 This is in line with the destruction that has been caused by the extreme consumerism in the West that is overwhelming the world through economic pressures that force other nations to conform. In taking into consideration the discussion on Western Christian belief systems and placing them in context with the structures of consumerism, the Buddhist beliefs may seem quite reasonable. The basis for the way to happiness is through eliminating desire which makes room for everything else. This is in conflict with consumerism, thus would require a complete reformation of modern society to accomplish on a larger scale. Buddhism asserts in its first Noble Truth that in trying to pursue happiness, sorrow is more often the result. This means that the pursuit of happiness through external things such as material possessions or through other people is going to lead to sorrow in the end. Most people when thinking about this will find that it is true.9 In attacking the idea of desire, the Buddhist helps individuals to find their way towards finding contentment through themselves. The idea of sustainability as it is presented through the Buddhist belief system is a core principle that is practiced in a way of life. Feminist ecologists who are Buddhists are supporting a lifestyle that is integral with the idea of sustainability and ecological healing. Conclusion When looking at the specific real needs of impoverished women in India in contrast to the Western threads of belief that have emerged as industrialization that is stripping the idea of natural lifestyles, ecological feminism brings together the true needs of women from one part of the world with the belief systems of sustainability. Put in context with Buddhist truths and believes, consumerism can be seen as a problem that must be eventually addressed as the loss of ecological systems continues to rob people of localized sustained lifestyles. The drive to consume is patriarchal in nature and feminist ecological goals seek to bring back the harmony that came from living in relationship with nature rather than in its use. Read More