© Boardworks Ltd 2004 1 of 17 What are we doing to the environment? These icons indicate that...

© Boardworks Ltd 20041 of 17

What are we doing to the environment?

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What do you think Gandhi meant?


‘The earth has enough for every one’s need but not for everyone’s greed.’


Environmental problems


Fact, opinion or belief?


In my opinion


Are your opinions similar to religious beliefs?

Here is what most religions believe:

Religious beliefs

AGREE

Humans are more important than animals.

It’s our responsibility to look after the world for future generations.

One person can make a difference to the environment.

DISAGREE

The world is ours to do with as we please.


Creation stories

Most religions express their beliefs through stories about the creation of the world:

Christians, Jews and Muslims

God created the world from nothing in six days. He put humans in charge of his creation.

Sikhs

God created the world but it is difficult for us to understand exactly how.

Hindus

God created the world from himself, like a spider created a web.

Buddhists

Do not believe in a god or a creation story.


Christians believe humans are more important than animals but have a duty to look after them and not endanger their existence.

Christians

Christians believe we are stewards of God’s earth. This means we are caretakers in charge of looking after the world and everything in it. The world belongs to God and we do not own it. We need to look after it for future generations.


Humans are responsible for the animals God created. These were given names by Adam and Eve. Jews believe that animals should not be made to suffer unnecessarily.

Jews

Jews believe that God created the world and gave humans the responsibility of looking after it. God was pleased with his creation and asked humans not to destroy it. We should preserve the world for future generations.


Muslims

Muslims believe that Allah created the world out of nothing. Humans are stewards of the earth and have a duty to look after the world and everything in it as God’s deputy. We can use God’s creation for our needs but we must not misuse it.

Islam teaches that we should treat animals with respect. Muslims permit animal experimentation, where there is no alternative, but the animals should not suffer unnecessarily.


Humans and animals live in a balance which we must not upset; for example, we should not destroy forests where wild animals live.

Sikhs

Sikhs believe that the world was created by the will of God from nothing. God is present in all creation. Every part of creation has an important part to play from the smallest thing to the largest. We should only take what we need from nature.


Animals are part of God’s ‘web of life’ so we are all part of God. If we take more from nature than we give back it will become unbalanced.

Hindus

Hindus believe that the world is like a spider’s web spun from God’s body. We are all part of God. We must not misuse nature but replace what we take from it instead.


We should avoid harming animals as everything humans do affects the lives of animals too. It is important to respect the environment.

Buddhists

Buddhists do not believe in a god. They believe cosmic forces produced the universe. Buddhism teaches that we need to live together in harmony as things depend on each other for their existence. Humans should live at peace with nature.

Buddha taught Five Precepts. The first Precept is:‘I will not harm another living being’.


The Seedling Symbol shows that a product is suitable for vegetarians.

Do you think that vegetarianism is a good solution to environmental problems?

Vegetarianism

Vegetarians do not eat meat or fish. Some Buddhists, Sikhs and Hindus believe that being vegetarian shows respect for animal life and is better for the environment.


St. Francis is the patron saint of animals and the environment. He wrote the ‘Canticle of the Sun’ in which he says that Brother Sun gives us day, Sister Moon brightens the sky at night, Brother Wind breathes air and Sister Water is useful and pure. Mother Earth provides us with all we need such as fruit, flowers and trees.

Design a poster based on St. Francis’ ideas that will encourage people to treat nature as part of our ‘family’.

St. Francis of Assisi


Religious values and the environment



key facts about environmental problems facing humansyour own opinions and how they relate to religious beliefsreligious beliefs about the origins of the universe and how humans should treat itkey religious values connected with the environment e.g. vegetarianism and what St. Francis wrote.

Use what you have learnt to write a short articlein answer to this question. Include the following:

© Boardworks Ltd 2004 1 of 17 What are we doing to the environment? These icons indicate that...

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