2016 Conference: Religion Science and the Future by Amanda M. Nichols
argued that the "Judeo-Christian" tradition, especially Christianity, has promoted anthropocentri... more argued that the "Judeo-Christian" tradition, especially Christianity, has promoted anthropocentric attitudes and environmentally destructive behaviors. Here, we provide a review of over 600 research articles that are pertinent to (1) Lynn White Jr.'s contentions and (2) subsequent claims that world's predominant religions are becoming more environmentally friendly, assertions we label "The Greening of Religion Hypothesis." We conclude that on balance extant research supports White's thesis but not the Greening of Religion Hypothesis. It also suggests that indigenous traditions may be more likely to foster pro-environmental behaviors than other religious systems, and so apparently do some nature-based cosmologies and value systems, which are often deeply informed by the sciences as well as by experiences within environmental systems. After reviewing the research session participants will discuss future research into the role of religion in environmental behaviors. This workshop will commence with an invitation-only workshop as part of an ongoing international research project. After summarizing our review of research and plans for further research, a number of panelists followed by session participants will be invited to respond and brainstorm with the presenters and discussants future research possibilities. Participants will be strongly encouraged to pre-read two pre-distributed research articles. In the afternoon we will then offer a session open to all conference attendees in which we will present and discuss the research reviewed and planned.
Written by prominent and up-and-coming scholars, deploying diverse lenses and methodologies from ... more Written by prominent and up-and-coming scholars, deploying diverse lenses and methodologies from the sciences and humanities, illuminating the complex relationships between human beings, their religious perceptions and practices, and other earthly organisms, through the long process of biocultural evolution since the emergence of Homo sapiens sapiens . . .
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2016 Conference: Religion Science and the Future by Amanda M. Nichols