DARK GREEN RELIGION
Bron Taylor
University of California Press, 2009
In earlier environmental writings, some used biblical quotes to blame the environmental crisis on Western religions’ alleged attitude that humans should dominate nature. Taylor skillfully presents a counterargument, showing that many of those fighting to protect nature from the destructive effects of our economic and political systems have been deeply rooted in spiritual or religious traditions that have enhanced their sensitivity to nature, and many have also helped create what he calls “green religions” and what others call “earth-based” spiritualities. The good news, Taylor proclaims, is the existence of a “new global earth tribe” composed of people with wildly different backgrounds but sharing “dark green” perceptions and values. These people stand up for life, and we at Tikkun stand up for them!