W

hen it comes to taking meaningful action on climate change, many followers of the great religious traditions find inspiration and motivation in their beliefs.

But it is a grave error to assume that all religiously-driven individuals will be receptive to the scientific facts of the climate crisis.

In the United States, many devout people decided long ago that science could only be regarded as an enemy of their faith — and this antipathy toward scientific method and results carries over into their attitude towards environmental problems, which are strongly identified with the scientists who research and describe them.

Many of them also adhere to doctrines which preach the imminence of a “day of judgment” in which the Earth as we know it will be destroyed and afterlife preference given to “true believers”. It is self-evident that such a belief is antithetical to any notion of sustainability as a desirable goal.

If we are to reconcile the directives of faith and the long-term requirements of our planetary environment, religious leaders must work with scientists in the interests of our civilization, our species, and the web of life of which we humans are a part.

Warren Senders
Medford, Massachusetts