I am responding to the call for discussion on the theory of the creationism
and how it relates to environmental concerns.
It is certainly true that the biblical account is anthropomorphic, because
humans, unlike the animals and plants, are said to be created in the image
of God. I believe, along with many environmental ethicists, that humans do
have priority over the rest of the earth and its inhabitants, but that does
not give then the right to exploit and ruin it, nor does it cancel out the
rights of plants, animals and eco-systems.
You have to remember the bible was written and has been interpreted in
particular social contexts. While it contains gory prescriptions for animal
sacrifice in one era, it also expresses God's care for sparrows in a
different era. I think perhaps God is not so rigid and doctrinaire as
historical Christianity has made him out to be, or as many adherents of
"isms" are in our present era.
For creation and evolution to be taught side by side would at least inform
and reduce automatic prejudice for both sides.
Glenys Eskdale
