Using religious movements for environmental care[edit source]
As the followers of religions compose a very large percentage of the population (although ofcourse not everyone is a supporter of the religion+ecology idea) the idea may enable us to gain more members in humanitarian/ecology projects, and perhaps even in Appropedia (if we are capable of handling things just right).
Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC), aswell as some other religious organizations (eg IFEES, some Buddhist organizations) are heavily pushing for sustainability/ecologism. One idea of mine was to propose a design (that eg could be promoted by ARC and/or these other organizations; but not made by -as the pendant could be perceived as a entirely new religion; something we must avoid. Perhaps that -as the target audience is to a large degree artisans (blacksmiths, ...), the pendant can also be immediatly made (again if we are capable of gaining some support).
- I'd be hesitant about wanting Appropedia to get directly involved - I think the Appropedia Foundation should be neutral on religion, where that doesn't conflict with our other principles.
- However I personally see value in your proposal - perhaps you and some (other) people of a spiritual leaning could get together and discuss this.
- Note that I mentioned that the pendant would be made so as not to comply not with any single religion; it's non-religion-specific. The pendant would simply signify the acceptance of simultanuous existence with other religions, and acknowledge that these different religions too contain some form of truth. As such, it can't be considered as any religion (or spritual leaning) on itself (unlike eg the mentioned UU pendant).
- Even if it's not a single religion, there is a religious aspect - someone with a naturalistic view of the world, who doesn't subscribe to any of these religions (whether Richard Dawkins or some of my personal friends) would not want to wear or endorse it. And some religious people would object, while many others of a moderate perspective would embrace it. I don't see it as something for Appropedia to be involved with, but individuals within the community might want to. --Chriswaterguy 09:31, 2 February 2010 (UTC)
- Another thought: I have spent a lot of time living and traveling in Muslim societies (mainly Indonesia) and I find that when there are personal relationships and decent people, religious differences start to look academic. --Chriswaterguy 00:10, 2 February 2010 (UTC)
- Well, I'm not sure about this, there are still significant differences between them, eg not within the abrahamic religions (Christianity and its derivates, Judaism and Islam), these are pretty much equal, but eg compared to Hinduism, Buddhism, and animistic religions there certainly are quite some differences. However, the core values (eg doing no harm to anyone, or atleast not to the same extent as what has been done to you, ...) remain the same.
- Personally, I have some additional thoughts on religion, placing me better in the UU-religion (which btw hasn't have a strict religious belief), but I'm positive that anyone can atleast aknowledge that the core values are the same, the reason I had the pendant idea.