Many Eastern and Native religions are concerned with the conservation of nature and the preservation of the environment. Pantheism is an ancient religion that developed well before Buddhism or Taoism; not only does it care for nature, but it holds that the earth is the most sacred order there is. Pantheism is not an exclusive religion in that most of the time it is not in a category of its own. Many Taoists and Buddhists, Pagans and ecologists, are Pantheists. The average environmentalist may also be a Pantheist and not even realize it.
Modern Pantheism is often misunderstood, as it is not theistic, nor is it atheistic. Pantheism does not involve a belief in deities, spirits or any supernatural powers. Instead, Pantheists believe that what is divine is right here on earth; in fact, it is earth. Pantheism's central tenet is that the universe, the earth, and nature are divine and so they should be treated as sacred. So although modern, or scientific, Pantheists don't believe in supernatural deities or powers, they do believe in the divine greatness of the earth, and that is why the earth is so deeply revered. In place of worshipping the supernatural, Pantheists venerate what is natural. This may seem bizarre to the Western world, as what is usually considered divine lies above and beyond this earth. So here is the Pantheistic world view in a simplistic equation: God = Universe. Due to the fact that greatness lies within this very earth, Pantheists believe that it should be loved, valued, protected and revered. In this way, Pantheism is a religion that promotes environmentalism.
Now that you know what Pantheism is, you might be ready to write it off as a religion that seems to be for the tree-hugging hippie types. But before you pass judgment so quickly, I invite you to consider just what exactly the beliefs of Pantheists could do for our world. Pantheism is a simple religion that has much to offer. It provides the strongest support for environmental ethics, as it is based on treating the earth as a sacred entity. Today, with the destruction of the biosphere, the over-consumption of natural resources and the need for an ecologically valid ethical system, Pantheism is placed in a new position. What would the world be like if we all loved the earth as much as Pantheists do?
Pantheism offers an interesting solution to the environmental crisis. Perhaps the first step towards saving the environment is simply loving the earth and enjoying nature in all its beauty and splendour. It seems to me that the rest would follow from there. Loving the earth is a powerful impetus that ensures an eco-friendly lifestyle. It works much in the same way that loving anything does: if you love something, you want to protect it, cherish it and preserve it. Love the earth as you love that first spring flower, and reusing, reducing and recycling will seem less like a chore and more like a natural duty.
Pantheism may not be the sole solution to revising human attitudes and behaviour towards the environment, but its loving-kindness approach towards the earth can play a key role in helping the environment.
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Radix article originally published in April 2003 by Laura Gallo
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