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I'm not sure if I've talked about "species arrogance" before or not, but basically it's the concept of a certain species thinking they are supreme above all others. Trouble is, I guess it can only be theoretical because we don't really know if a walrus ever actually thinks it is superior to a penguin or a seal. Sometimes we sense it in animal behavior; but confirming "species arrogance" is dicey.
I think a special consideration must be made for humans though. It seems humans routinely think they are somehow on a different plane from other creatures. To a degree this may be relevant in that humans seems to have cognitive abilities beyond most other animals. We can certainly hatch plans and do taxes (for the most part) that our fellow creatures don't bother to do. However, does this necessarily mean we are the most advanced? The more we observe family units in other species and fascinating behavior that seems written in the DNA of other animals, the less I think our claims of supremacy stand up to the test of reason.
Leaving some of these questions aside, it became abundantly clear to me recently that while I consider humans a "strong" species - we are by no means the mightiest, and in truth are quite vulnerable. We of course know this for the most part. We generally don't swim with powerful sharks or get too close to lions. We are aware that even smaller creatures like spiders and snakes can kill us with a bite. But that even plants can inflict severe pain on us should give us pause and perspective of our place in nature.
I point this out because a couple weeks ago I was playing disc golf (a great "nature game" that I wrote about a few posts ago), and I found myself looking for a disc in a patch of poison ivy. I washed thoroughly when I got home. No matter - it took over my leg anyway. What followedwas several WEEKS of severe itching and discomfort - all from a few leaves.So when we get the arrogance to think that we are the biggest, baddest, and best on the planet - I hope something makes us itch really, really badly.
Weekly Green Thought
"Even if you are old, you must plant. Just as you found trees planted by others, you must plant them for your children." Midrash Tanchuma, Kodashim 8 (fourth-fifth centuries)
The other day I was visiting with an amazing church member who has been battling cancer for some time. Throughout it all she has maintained her sense of humor and an amazing perspective on life - realizing how small we are in the grand scheme of things.
We were talking about caring for creation and sharing some dismay at how so many people (especially Christians) don't seem to "get it." She asked me what I thought was the biggest problem, and in that moment I said "I think we humans have such a limited perspective." For the most part, we are not very good at looking at the bigger picture and considering the long-time ramifications of our decisions and use of technology. We are great at taking a good idea and expanding it to the point that it does damage.
Take, for example, sidewalks. Some cities may have great sidewalks and may be very walker friendly. But for the most part, cities are built for cars and have been for some time. In the city I live in sidewalks on main roads are almost non-existent. In neighborhoods, they start and stop with no rhyme or reason. Part of my block on the side opposite me (not the whole block - part of it) has a sidewalk, but nothing on my side of the street. It's pretty ludicrous. Why isn't the whole town laid out with sidewalks first so we know everyone can get around on foot (which we learn to do long before we drive mind you) before we worry about cars?
Walking more would help decrease smog and harmful emissions. Walking is cheaper - free to be precise. Walking is safer. Walking is very healthy. Walking is the transportation we were naturally created to utilize. Why can't we see this? Let's expand our perspective.
Weekly Green Thought
"Without earth, there is no rain, and without the rain, the earth cannot endure, and without either, humans cannot exist." Genesis Rabbah 13:3 (third-fifth centuries)
Wow, pretty unbelieveable that it's taken me this long to post since the move. Of course, I didn't even move until mid-June, so how that month ended up being a wash is anyone's guess. It is a big change though. This was my third move in as many years and each to a different state (although, now I'm back in my home state - and actually town).
In addition to my slackness in blogging, I have found that the move has brought challenges to my ability to practice care for creation to the extent that I had been. Of course, I was practically living on a farm before, and it's pretty easy to be sustainable on a farm if you put forth any effort. Things can be slightly more difficult in the city.
It seems like most things have been a trade off. I'm much closer to the church I serve, and there will be considerably less driving in my life. But the house I'm living in (renting for now) is not really eco-friendly at all. My first WEEK's power usage here was equivalent to a MONTH's where I was before. Of course I hope to adjust now that I'm learning some things, but it is difficult. I'm hoping I can help bring more recycling options and other creation care practices to the city. But I guess working on myself in my new place is the first goal.
Weekly Green Thought
"Even though you may think them superfluous in this world, creatures such as flies, bugs, and gnats have their allotted task in the scheme of creation." Genesis Rabbah 10:7 (third-fifth centuries)
I wrote not too long ago about Anathoth Community Garden in North Carolina and celebrated the concept of dedicating an empty plot of land to God so that it might be a flourishing garden: http://www.anathothgarden.org/
I hope this concept catches on in more communities, but I am overjoyed to report that my hometown of Jackson, TN has started such a project: http://jacksonfumc.org/home/communitygardens.php In a few weeks, I will be moving back to Jackson to serve as associate pastor at the church helping to initiate Jackson Community Gardens (First United Methodist Church). I cannot wait to see this take off, and I promise to write more about it. But for now, here's a wonderful article written by one of the church members who has been instrumental in this mission: http://memphissite.brickriver.com/news_detail.asp?pkvalue=355
Weekly Green Thought
"There is nothing that has been created without some reason, even if human nature is incapable of knowing precisely the reason for them all." John Chrysostom (ca. 354-407), Homilies on Genesis 7.14
"The world has been created for everyone's use, but you few rich are trying to keep it for yourselves. For not merely the possession of the earth, but the very sky, the air, and the sea are claimed for the use of the rich few...The earth belongs to all, not just to the rich." Ambrose of Milan (340-97), De Nabuthe 3.
If people in industrialized nations (the rich - speaking generally as the world is concerned) lived like people in non-industrialized nations, imagine the lack of pollution in the seas, air, and earth. And yet rich nations continue to make life even worse for the poor who live more closely in dependence on the land. Many rich nations build large, mass-polluting factories in poor nations where they can obfuscate environmental laws and employ cheaper labor. These are central issues of justice about which the Church cannot remain silent.
"I want creation to penetrate you with so much admiration that wherever you go, the least plant may bring you the clear remembrance of the Creator...One blade of grass or one speck of dust is enough to occupy your entire mind in beholding the art with which it has been made." Basil the Great (329-79), Hexameron, Homily V, "The Germination of the Earth"
As I've mentioned before, a couple of the churches I serve have been going through the Green Bible Trail Guide as a Bible study. At the end of each study there is a practice to re-connect someone with creation. The practice last week involved planting something - a tree, a flower, perhaps a garden. Most of the church members chuckled as this is a rural area with farms all around, and many of them are indeed farmers. However, it did occur to me that there are places in the world in which people have essentially no positive connection with plants and animals on a regular basis. I think one of the worst realities I can imagine is that of a child in a huge city who is kept indoors all the time and even when outdoors enjoys no connection with creation. I recognize the ways camping and hiking when I was a child shaped me to love and enjoy creation, and I pray that churches will pursue initiatives to connect people in all places with the marvels of the world around us.
"By the greatness and the beauty of the creatures, proportionately the Maker of them is seen." -Athanasius (297-373), Against the Heathen 45:1-2
Some of the greatest figures in the history of the Church have believed and taught that through "natural theology" (looking at the world and wonder of nature) anyone with the capacity of thought must believe in a Creator - even if that Creator is not the Christian God. But how much more should Christians be amazed at the delicate intricacies of creation and work to care for it by all means possible?! Not only does creation speak about the Creator, but the way we treat the creation of which we are a part speaks about our love for the Creator.
I point this out because a couple weeks ago I was playing disc golf (a great "nature game" that I wrote about a few posts ago), and I found myself looking for a disc in a patch of poison ivy. I washed thoroughly when I got home. No matter - it took over my leg anyway. What followedwas several WEEKS of severe itching and discomfort - all from a few leaves.