Dark Green Religion, Bron Taylor

Bron Taylor’s book is an in depth analysis of what he concludes is the materialization of ‘dark green religion’ (DGR) which began with Charles Darwin’s the Origin of Species.  Most organized religions are ‘anthropocentric’ which focuses on the superiority and divinity of the human species.  DGR is a biocentric religion which incorporates all living species.  EG ‘we abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us.  When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.’

The essence of this emerging religion is a feeling that all species have a right to be here, a sense of belonging and connection to nature and a consecration of the evolutionary story.  There is a belief that nature is sacred and deserving of respect. 

This religion is not ‘recognized’ by the Parliament of World Religions, it does not have priests or official institutions or an officially adopted sacred text.  It does have revered elders, creative leadership and texts that some claim are sacred.  Rather than being ‘rescued’ from this world, it promotes a belief that everything in the biosphere is interdependent, intrinsically valuable, and sacred.

Proponents, charismatic leaders, originators of DGR are as varied as humanly possible ranging from those that are radically leftist to those that are right wing, libertarian and even anarchistic and include such leaders as Darwin, John Muir, Henry David Thoreau, Jane Goodall, Duke Kahanamoku, Paul Hawken to name a few.  Paul Hawken concluded that ‘environmental activism, social justice initiatives, and indigenous culture’s resistance to globalization, all have become intertwined’ and are precipitating ‘the largest social movement in all of human history.’

Scientists (Hans Bethe, Freeman Dyson, Carl Sagan, etc), who are traditionally secular, have proclaimed “As scientists, many of us have had profound personal experiences of awe and reverence before the universe.  We understand that what is regarded as sacred is more likely to be treated with care and respect.  Our planetary home should be so regarded.  Efforts to safeguard and cherish the environment should be infused with a vision of the sacred.”

What often creates a ‘radical’ wing of a religion is a belief in an apocalyptic vision of the world and a belief that it is a religious duty to resist the impending cataclysm.  But the DGR’s apocalyptic vision is radically different than others– this is the first time in history than an expectation of the end of the known world has been grounded in environmental science.

Although DGR is not an ‘organized’ religion, or one with set rules or predetermined leaders, the values of the religion (or movement) are popping up independently throughout the world.  Most religions or groups are defined by nationality, gender, regional or ethnic differences.  This religion has been overlooked as a religion because it emphasizes the commonalities, connections and bridges. Bron Taylor concludes …’everywhere I find the same thing:  people with wildly different backgrounds sharing “dark green” perceptions and values…They sometimes feel isolated and alone.  But best they can, in their own ways, and against long odds, they stand up for life. “

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