Is Green a New Religion?

Is green becoming a new "religion?" Stephen T. Asma of Columbia College Chicago thinks so. He writes to prove it in his article, "Green Guilt," which was published by the The Chronicle of Higher Education. In it, Asma recounts a story of being scolded by his 6-year-old brushing for the running the water too long while brushing his teeth. His son apparently saw this wasteful use of resources as committing some "environmental sin." He goes on to say,

Instead of religious sins plaguing our conscience, we now have the transgressions of leaving the water running, leaving the lights on, failing to recycle, and using plastic grocery bags instead of paper. In addition, the righteous pleasures of being more orthodox than your neighbor (in this case being more green) can still be had—the new heresies include failure to compost, or refusal to go organic. Vitriol that used to be reserved for Satan can now be discharged against evil corporate chief executives and drivers of gas-guzzling vehicles. Apocalyptic fear-mongering previously took the shape of repent or burn in hell, but now it is recycle or burn in the ozone hole.

Psychologically, humans (at least in the contemporary Western world) have a need to feel guilty, he contends. In order to accomplish this we need a standard by which to regulate our consciousness and a religion to produce a standard. "Environmentalism, as a substitute for religion, has come to the rescue," he writes.

Albert Mohler, President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, commented on this today at his blog. "[Asma's essay] is an excellent analysis of the religious character of environmentalism, complete with a set of comprehensive doctrines and religious practices," Mohler writes. "It is also an excellent consideration of the religious nature of human beings. Asma understands the pretensions of the secular mind, and he also sees the religious impulse working its way to the surface in the modern obsessions with heath, fitness, and an ever-expanding set of "secular" sins." Mohler conlcudes, "his essay offers a rare glimpse into the religious character of the rather new faith of environmentalism, complete with its 'potential for dogmatic zeal and obsession.'"

Many secular environmentalists do become obsessed--even consumed--with green living, green eating, green cars, and green industry. Environmentalism becomes their source of sin, guilt, redemption, mission and personal fulfillment. Green becomes a surrogate religion, usually presided over by the High Priest Al Gore. SoI agree with Mohler, but wish he'd gone further. Christians need more than a helpful critique. We need a hopeful alternative.

What about Christians who think trashing the creation isn't the brightest idea? What about those of us who think caring for God's creation is part of following Jesus? What about those of us who recognize that the millions of people dying every year from environmental problems is something Christians should be concerned about? What about us? Are we to be accused of abandoning the faith for a surrogate religion?

Rather than reacting to secular environmentalism, Christians should be redeeming it. We should be using less water and working for lower emissions--not because we need the guilt, but because we serve the Creator whose Son freed us from all guilt through His shed blood. We reduce our energy--not because we have some psychological compulsion toward standards, but because we respect THE standard (the Bible) where we're asked to care for God's glorious creation. Rooted in God's word and driven by a love for Jesus and people, we're prepared to turn back secular environmentalism and point people to the one who makes all things new.

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