Date sent: Thu, 12 Nov 1998 16:01:14 EST Send reply to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: STUDIES IN WOMEN AND ENVIRONMENT <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: Poetry/Deep Ecology > In a message dated 98-11-12 07:03:36 EST, you write: > > << And, I would add that intelligence is not the be-all or end all of any > kind of judgement. I would also add that I have grown to want to treat > all creatures as deserving of space, compassion etc., regardless of their > economic value--that blasted determinent which seems to be the base of > most arguments: that it isn't worth anything unless it is worth something > to humans. I would like to go beyond stewardship: to where all things > deserve space, place, etc. That suffering of all kinds, of all creatures, > is to be avoided. And, Ecolady, if you read "Noah's parable" as a reason > to be a steward, fine. I differ, but I'm not going to hold up my way as > the only reasonable way, which I suggest, your language puts forth you do. > >> > Hi! > > I agree that the unless it is worth something to humans theory should be > blasted - you sound like a deep ecologist Arlene - that is the belief - that > things exist for other reasons - their own reasons - they do not have to > benefit humans - the fact that they do is a blessing not an end all! I agree! > However, how do you explain that to people who have been culturally raised to > believe that we have a moral obligation to each other because we don't want to > get punished, the animals are here for our use and the Earth is our home? How > would you explain why to apply deep ecology to their thoughts and perception? > I would get spiritual about it! Getting spiritual about it is as deep as you > can get - things deserve life - because they are spirits and co-created by a > life giver springing forth from the same realm - back to the clay (That is > deep - how could they argue with that?) Could they say God never meant that we > shouldn't take more then we need? Could they argue that Noah's ark doesn't > teach us that the animals are God's?? They have no defense against true > religious fervor - it's the Earth's final defense in defense of life - don't > you see that? > Religious fervour has historically been at least as much of a problem as it has been a solution, because it can be welded to anything - constructive or destructive. > Being a human extentialist isn't going to cut it - The Earth needs a real wake > up call - they need hard care spirituality infused into reality! Any other > approach will be seen as an attempt to demoralize or discredit God to the > believers or an attempt to put forth earth worship and most people will close > their ears to the mere mention of that! We have to keep everyone's eyes and > ears open to the truth - We need to place a stamp of Sacredness on the living > Earth to save it - it really is it's only hope! Life becomes sacred and > revered and honored for that! Or else, it's just a plan old play ground for > the spoiled and undisciplined! If you would open your eyes, you would see that everything you wrote after your "close their ears" remark echoes what I have been saying is a practical consequence of Paganism for some time now. Joe > Peace! > Angela >
