Stewardship is a concept that involves responsible management and protection of resources and assets, including the environment and the people who are connected to it. In a religious ethical view, stewardship takes on greater importance as it encompasses a sense of moral obligation to care for the resources and assets that are entrusted to one's care by a higher power, such as God.
In the Christian tradition, stewardship is often referred to as "stewardship of creation," as it involves managing and preserving the gifts of creation, including natural resources, animals, and human beings. The Bible states, "The earth is the Lord's and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it" (Psalm 24:1). This verse highlights the idea that God has created the world and entrusted it to humans to care for and protect it.
Pope Francis, in his encyclical "Laudato Si," emphasized the importance of stewardship, stating that "the earth, our home, is beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth." He called on individuals and communities to take responsibility for their actions and to work towards creating a sustainable future.
In Islam, stewardship is known as "khalifa," meaning "trusteeship" or "vicegerency." The concept is based on the belief that God has created the world and entrusted it to humans to care for and protect. The Qur'an states, "It is He who has made you trustees on the earth. So, he who follows the right path, follows it for the benefit of his own soul, and he who goes astray does so to its detriment" (Surah Al-Kahf 18:16). This verse highlights the idea that humans have a responsibility to care for the world and its resources in a responsible manner.
In Judaism, stewardship is known as "tikkun olam," which means "repairing the world." Te concept is based on the belief that God has created the world and entrusted it to humans to care for and protect. The Talmud states, "It is not for you to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it" (Pirkei Avot 2:21). This verse highlights the idea that humans have a responsibility to work towards creating a better world, even if they cannot complete the task.
In conclusion, stewardship is a key idea in religious ethics that involves responsible management and protection of resources and assets. In various religious traditions, stewardship is seen as a moral obligation that is rooted in the belief that God has created the world and entrusted it to humans to care for and protect. The Bible, the Qur'an, and the Talmud all emphasize the importance of stewardship, calling on individuals and communities to take responsibility for their actions and to work towards creating a sustainable future.
References:
Pope Francis. (2015). Laudato Si: On Care for Our Common Home. Vatican City: Vatican Press.
The Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV).
The Holy Qur'an, Translated by M.H. Shakir.
The Talmud, Translated by Rabbi Steinsaltz.
The opinion that conservation is not important for religious ethical perspectives is not supported by the teachings and values of most major world religions. In fact, many religious traditions place a strong emphasis on stewardship, which involves taking care of the environment and preserving natural resources for future generations.
For example, in the Christian tradition, Pope Francis, in his encyclical "Laudato Si," emphasized the importance of conservation and environmental protection, stating that "everything is related, and we human beings are united as brothers and sisters on a wonderful pilgrimage, woven together by the love God has for each of his creatures and which also unites us in fond affection with brother sun, sister moon, brother river and mother earth." (Paragraph 92). This statement highlights the interconnectedness of all living beings and the responsibility that humans have to care for the environment.
In Islam, the concept of "khalifa," or trusteeship, involves taking care of the environment and preserving its resources for future generations. The Qur'an states, "It is He who has made you trustees on the earth. So, he who follows the right path, follows it for the benefit of his own soul, and he who goes astray does so to its detriment" (Surah Al-Kahf 18:16). This verse highlights the idea that humans have a responsibility to care for the world and its resources in a responsible manner, which includes conservation efforts.
In Judaism, the concept of "tikkun olam," or repairing the world, involves taking care of the environment and working towards creating a better world for future generations. The Talmud states, "It is not for you to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it" (Pirkei Avot 2:21). This verse highlights the idea that humans have a responsibility to work towards creating a better world, which includes efforts to conserve the environment and its resources.
In conclusion, the idea that conservation is not important for religious ethical perspectives is not supported by the teachings and values of most major world religions. On the contrary, many religious traditions emphasize the importance of stewardship and the responsibility that humans have to care for the environment and its resources. The Bible, the Qur'an, and the Talmud all highlight the importance of conservation and the role that humans play in protecting and preserving the environment for future generations.
References:
Pope Francis. (2015). Laudato Si: On Care for Our Common Home. Vatican City: Vatican Press.
The Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV).
The Holy Qur'an, Translated by M.H. Shakir.
The Talmud, Translated by Rabbi Steinsaltz.
1 Explore the concepts of stewardship and conservation from an ethical standpoint. (8)
1 Explore the secular ethical perspectives on conservation. (8)
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1 Explore two ethical perspectives on animal welfare and protection. (8) 2019 Q
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