Critical Analysis of Three Online Magazines on Religion and Ecology
In an article, published in the New York Times, the author Andrew Revkin focuses on a discussion indicating the root of Pope’ Francis’s attraction towards secular stakeholders that seek sustainability in relation to environmental resource utilization (Revkin, Andrew). The article describes a series of meetings that have been held in Vatican City in connection to discussion of environmental management issues. One of the issues that have been discussed in these meetings according to the article is sustainable humanity, the responsibility of human generation to towards environment as well as sustainable nature (Revkin, Andrew). Consequently, the article describes how senior or key environmental management stakeholders and researchers have been attracted towards Pope Francis, mainly as a result of the fact that he has become a key activist on environmental conservation. This article is an important source of information to the current society, particularly, because it shows how religious leaders have played a key role in promoting the protection and conservation of environmental resources that are important components parts of the ecology. The article could also be considered a crucial source of information as indicates how contemporary religious leaders such as the Pope can act as a role model, not only to their followers but also scientists on the protection of the ecology.
In another article produced by Dvora Waysman, in the Online PressReader, a discussion is provided that focus on how Judaism is the closest religion to ecology and agriculture compared to other religions. The article highlights key leaders within Judaism as a religion who have acted as pioneers in regard to issues of environmental conservation (Waysman, Dvora). This article could be considered an informative source of information. It basically focuses on how a specific religious group, that is, Jews has a stronger relationship with environmental resources. One of the key leaders mentioned is Yohanan ben Zakai who asserts that planting crops or plants is far more important than the arrival of the Messiah. Yahana be Zakai advised his followers that it is important to plant crops even if their Messiah had arrived. The article also provide a discussion on how the Bible instructs believers on the importance of planting tree as well as how this is crucial to the fertility of the earth. From a personal perspective, the incorporation of the teachings of the Bible regarding planting crops/plants or environmental conservation is imperative as it creates emphasis among followers on the paramount importance of their participation towards conservation of ecological components.
In California, Nuns, led by Sister Kate have been advocating for the use and legalization of Cannabis. This story has been published in the Online Independent Article (Wang, Yanan). The author, Yanan Wang describes how a group of Nuns in California have been supporting the legalization as well as use of cannabis among the Californian and the entire United States population. In the perspective of the Nuns, Cannabis is an important medicinal plant that can help individuals to fight a variety of diseases including mental diseases. The Nuns also argue that their support for the legalization and use of Cannabis is not solely based on cannabis plant, but the desire to follow ancient knowledge in regard to use of such plants. This article introduces a new approach towards conservation of certain plants in the modern society. Cannabis is considered illegal in most parts of the world; however, this article introduces a controversial opinion of a group of religious women, who are of the view that protecting, legalization and the use of cannabis is an indication of the appreciation of ancient knowledge.
Comparison of the Articles
There is one issue that evident in all the three articles; that is, the role of religious leaders in regard to protection of certain aspects of the ecology. In the New York Times article, the author narrates how the current Pope, has attracted a wide perspective of admiration from researchers and environmental organizations due to his support as well as appeal for environmental/ecological protection. In the online PressReader.com, the writer also describes how certain leaders in the Judaism religion have encouraged their followers to participate in conservation of the environment by planting crops. The role of religious leaders is also evident in the Independent article where the author provides a story of a group of Nuns in California who are advocating for the legalization and use of cannabis, not only as a means of protecting the species but also as a means of appreciating ancient knowledge. However, the major difference evident in the three articles is that the authors approach their discussions in a unique manner, for instance: The online PressReader.com is narrated as a story i.e. a Bible story on how Jews have relationship with ecology. In regard to the New York Times article the author provides his discussion as breaking news while in the Independent article, the issue is described as a trending topic in California.
Works Cited
Revkin, Andrew. "The Root of Pope Francis's Appeal Among Secular Sustainability Seekers." Dot Earth The Root of Pope Franciss Appeal Among Secular Sustainability Seekers Comments. 26 Sept. 2015. Web. 28 Jan. 2016. http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/09/26/the-root-of-pope-franciss-appeal-among-secular-sustainability-seekers/
Wang, Yanan. The Independent. Independent Digital News and Media, 25 Jan. 2015. Web. 28 Jan. 2016. <http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/can-the-cannabis-nuns-of-california-save-medical-marijuana-a6832511.html>.
Waysman, Dvora. "PressReader.com - Connecting People Through News." PressReader.com - Connecting People Through News. PressReader, 25 Jan. 2016. Web. 28 Jan. 2016. http://www.pressreader.com/search?query=Religion and Ecology
