All in the Spirit

Somewhere it’s been said that metaphors are the signposts of the spirit. Whether it’s environmentalism, religion, science or football, humans seem to have a need to identify with a cause and pursue it either as an individual or as a group.
Philosopher and mathematician Blaise Pascal writes in his Pensees:
‘’bc.. "What else does this craving, and this helplessness, proclaim but that there
was once in man a true happiness, of which all that now remains is the empty print
and trace? This he tries in vain to fill with everything around him, seeking in
things that are not there the help he cannot find in those that are, though none
can help, since this infinite abyss can be filled only with an infinite and
immutable object; in other words by God himself."
p. ’’
The similarities between religion and now environmentalism have to be similar, as I believe the psyche for such things is coming from the same place in all of us. The problem comes when the feelings become so strong that a tendency for extremism starts to occur, justified by the absolute sureness in the sanctity of the cause—Vandalizing a construction site that filled in a marsh — Letting minks out of mink farms (to subsequently die of starvation in the wild.) — Killing in the name of your god. — Tree sitting. All these things are demonstrations in the bad and blind side of passion.
Environmentalism as a way of life takes discipline just like anything else a person or society becomes "good at". It takes time. I agree that this religion-like fervor from some as they try to "fill the God sized hole in their hearts" when it comes to the environment may be a good thing, as long as they have a tuned ear towards the truths that science will bring, and are willing to compromise a few things along the way in the name of patience also.