RELIGION and nature are closely linked. In fact, nature plays an important part in the practise of many religions. Research has also shown that religion can be a powerful force for conservation. According to Liu Hongmao, Director of the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden in China, “Conserving biodiversity based on cultural and religious values is often more sustainable than conservation based only on legislation or regulation.”
The world’s major religions speak of an ethical responsibility to care for the natural world. In Buddhism, the belief in reincarnation (samsara) and karma for humans as well as plants and animals gives value to all life. Man must not harm the plants and animals of the Earth, as they are also on a karmic journey.

Often referred to as the world’s oldest surviving faith, Hinduism also places great emphasis on care of nature. As Al Gore pointed out in his 1992 book, Earth in Balance, environmentalists regularly cite the ancient Hindu dictum: “The earth is our mother, and we are all her children.”
Muslims and Christians believe that we are charged with protecting nature as trustees of the Creator. We are meant to be stewards of the environment.
Many religions are practised in Guyana, but the three major ones are Islam, Christianity and Hinduism. Let’s take a look at how each of these religions views nature.

Islam
In Islam, it is believed that, while nature belongs to Allah, He has made Man stewards of nature. Muslims take their teachings from two primary sources: the Qur’an and the Hadith.  Both emphasize the accountability and responsibility of Man toward the rest of creation. The Prophet Muhammad said, “The world is green and beautiful, and God has appointed you His stewards over it.” Qur’an 22:65 states, “Do you not see that God has made subject to you (humans) all that is on the earth?”
Islam has urged humanity to be kind to nature, and not to abuse the trust that has been placed on the shoulders of Man. Drawing from the Qur’an, the first Muslim caliph, Abu-Bakr, declared, “Do not cut down a tree…and be always kind and humane to God’s creations…”
Kindness to animals is an integral part of Islam. The Prophet Muhammad outlined the rewards of caring for animals, and the importance of avoiding cruelty to animals. Like Abu-Bakr, he urged kindness toward all living things. He tells of a case of a woman who was insensitive and cruel to her cat. She had kept it locked up until it died of hunger, so God punished her for that deed on the Day of Judgement.
Islam also recognizes the importance of biodiversity to humans, but has encouraged its followers to use everything sensibly. The Prophet said: “God has sent down both the disease and the cure, and He has appointed a cure for every disease, so treat yourselves medically, but use nothing unlawful.” (Sunan Abu Dawud, book 28, number 3865)

Christianity
As in Islam, Christianity teaches that men are stewards of nature.
Christianity recognises that nature has value because it was made by God for His own glory, not merely for human benefit. The whole of creation belongs to God (Psalm 24:1); Man is His steward, accountable to Him for everything he does with and to nature, especially to living creatures (Genesis 2:15). Nature also serves as a potent reminder to humans of God’s personality, power and creative genius (Romans 1:20) and Psalm 104 exclaims: “O Lord, what a variety you have made! And in wisdom you made them all! The earth is full of your riches.”
Beyond this, other areas of biblical text point to the interconnectedness of nature and Man. In Ecclesiastes 3:19, it is said, “For the fate of the sons of men and the fate of beasts is the same, as one dies so dies the other…Man has no advantage over the beasts…” This shows that all creatures are good in themselves, and they are not just for our use. All creation: from wild animals and cattle, to fruit trees, praise God by living their natural lives. As Pope John Paul II said, ‘Nature should be respected and preserved, so that by establishing a healthy, proper relationship with it, people can be led to contemplate the mystery of God’s greatness and love.’

Hinduism
In Hinduism, the earth is regarded as ‘Mother Earth’ and is greatly revered. Hinduism does not give humans authority over nature and creation, but speaks of harmony with nature and with the whole of creation. Hindus believe that the Supreme Being resides in all things; therefore, they are encouraged to form friendships with animals, and even with inanimate objects. In the Upanishads’ tradition, there is a clear understanding of the inter-relationship of everything in nature. Human beings are encouraged to be compassionate and to practise self-restraint.
One school of thought in Hinduism is that the entire universe is an extended family, with all beings living together as members of the same household. By holding this view, persons will gain respect for all other living things.
In Hindu mythology, there are many species which are of religious significance, e.g., several species of trees, such as Ficus, have special religious value. Also, various animals, such as elephants and monkeys, are representatives of different gods, and are therefore important for ritual and devotional significance. Rivers are also an integral part of Hindu religious practice.
One important principle of Hinduism is ‘Ahimsa,’ i.e., forbidding the taking of life and/or causing injury to any sentient being (except in the context of a Vedic sacrifice, where it is prescribed and sanctioned).
Additionally, the virtue of a simple life has always been prized in Hindu society. Hinduism stresses that true happiness comes from within, not from material possessions. This means that the search for material possessions, and the consumption of materials and energy this search brings, should not be allowed to dominate life.

You can share ideas and questions by sending your letters to: ‘Our Earth, Our Environment’, C/o EIT Division, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email eit.epaguyana@gmail.com