Question 3

In Evan Berry’s novel Devoted to Nature: The Religious Roots of American Environmentalism he speaks on the connections between nature, spirituality, and religion. In the conclusion Berry wraps up his thoughts on the connection between environmentalism and theology. Deep within us nature has become a spiritual experience but on the surface still seems like environmentalism is only a political sphere. When people are able to open their minds to the idea that nature is a religious experience it changes the way that people view nature. Berry urges for a more ethical and theological view on environmentalism in his entire novel. He speaks on the idea that we need to view environmentalism in conjunction with human development and realize what damage is in the past cannot be changed. I think Berry’s suggestion on steering our view on environmentalism is important because ethics is something that everyone can understand on the most basic level. When we think about human decency and protection of our home (nature) we can empathize with the loss of nature and fight for a change. Today we see examples of nature and humanity colliding for protection in Pope Francis’ encyclicals that urge all humanity to re-evaluate our action we are taking to protect nature and the environment. The Pope speaks on the fact that as Catholics people should see it as their duty to protect the environment.