Striking Parallels

The parallel between environmentalism and religion is an apt one, although I think you could look at a lot of things as though they are religions. Economics and consumerism are my favourite example—a religion complete with a belief in a transcendent power (the market), a priesthood (economists, bankers, accountants), cathedrals (shopping malls, office towers), and even shrines (banks, banking machines) where people complete little rituals before going about their business.

But I think you’re right in that environmentalism may be one place where science and many flavours of traditional religion meet. A lot of religions, such as Neo-Paganism and Indigenous traditions, are explicitly environmental as well. If you view nature as a fragile balance, you can’t help but be concerned for it.

Check out Faith and the Common Good for an example of a multi-faith environmental awareness project. They’ve tried to co-ordinate their efforts with David Suzuki in the past, as well.