Religion and Environment

I wish to express my gratitude to the Association for the Study of the Interplay between Religion and Science (ASIRS), Maiduguri, for inviting me to contribute to this 2007 Conference on Religion and Environment.

On Religion and Science

The interplay between religion and science as a concern is quite interesting to me being a spiritual leader in the Church of God. The Christian religion welcomes scientific inquiry and empiricism; because we particularly believe that God created the Natural Universe both rational and orderly, not to be worshiped, but to be studied and mastered. However in the realm of the spiritual and the ethical (which are beyond Science), Christians depend on the authentic historical revelation found in the Biblical Scriptures and faith in Jesus as the Messiah or Christ (i.e. the Anointed Saviour of all Humankind).

With Science we know the workings of the material nature: how it could be put to maximal use, regardless of whether that use is good or evil. With Religion we gain insight to the realities of spiritual meanings and moral reasons that enable us choose what is good and reject what is evil. It was the Nobel Prize-winning physicist, Max Planck who 70years ago said:

“Man needs science in order to know, religion in order to act.”

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On Religion and Environment

Has the Christian Faith anything to say about environmental pollution and purification; perturbation and preservation?

Humanity’s God-given role in this world is that of whole and wholesome stewardship of the environment with all fauna and flora. This was set forth at the time of creation of Adam and Eve as recorded in the first book of the Bible called Genesis.

“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. And God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them: and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat: and to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so. And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.” (Genesis 1:26-31)

“And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.” (Genesis 2:15)

Also see Genesis 9:1-7 for the post-diluvian mandate to Noah after helping to preserve wildlife.

Man’s Stewardship of the Environment includes:

Putting animals and plants under beneficial check (DOMINION);
Putting natural forces and resources under control (SUBDUE);
Populating and possessing all parts of the earth (REPLENISH);
Improving and Preserving the Environment (DRESS and KEEP).

Since the fall of Adam from glory, Humanity and the environment have been groaning under the curse and bondage of corruption, eagerly waiting for the final revelation of the redemption in Christ (Romans 8:19-22). The coming of the Holy Spirit marks the beginning of our gracious adoption in preparation for this glorious revelation of redemption. Whosoever is redeemed in Christ ought to join hands to reclaim and redeem the creation from the bondage of degeneration into the liberty of preservation. Christ’s salvation is not only for Humanity but shall eventually lead to the redemption of the whole creation.

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us–ward. For the earnest expectation of the creation waiteth for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but by reason of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only so, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for our adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” (Rom 8:18-23)

In recent times unbridled exploitation of the environment for economic and political advantages has led to a noticeably unhealthy and unjust environmental impact. Humanity has pursued utilization and neglected preservation! We have failed in our stewardship. Science and technology has taught us to do both good and evil; our appetites now rule us; we produce, consume, overpopulate, destroy and pollute; hence the environment is “accursed for our sakes”! Seems like another fall of Humanity. God is again calling us back to spirituality and morality through religious persuasion to assume our proper stewardship. Shall humanity give heed? Time will tell. Apparently, there are encouraging signs all over the world, because scientists, policy makers and religious leaders are working together to restore the preservation aspect of our Stewardship of the Environment – its wet, weed, wilderness and wildlife.

It is high time to change the spirit of our civilization from drive for “infinite possibilities” to drive for “sustainable possibilities”.

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RELIGION AND PERSONAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH

The question of our hygienic stewardship failure, which has led to the environmental degradation and dangerous personal and public health practices, captures my interest most. This is because the Bible has much to say in this regard.

The Bible lays out ancient health principles which show how to avoid epidemics, contagious diseases, plagues, venereal diseases, and the "diseases of civilization" such as heart diseases, obesity, mental stress and cancer. Indeed, the Bible in its sanitary code demonstrates scientific knowledge and concepts far before mankind developed the technological base for such knowledge. To appreciate the sanitary and diet codes of the Bible requires considerable knowledge of epidemiology, microbiology, physiology, plant pathology, and animal pathology, all of which require a technological base not available until the 19^th Century. Of course, the Bible was not written as a work of science nor was its purpose to describe the workings of the physical world. It was written to explain spiritual principles – the nature of mankind, the nature of God, and how people can have fruitful relationship with God.

Reading through the Torah revealed to Moses 3500yrs ago, we cannot but conclude that Moses was indeed the Father of preventive and primary health care after being schooled by God. He was indeed the first primary health doctor – i.e. teacher of preventive heath principles. The word “Doctor” originally meant “Teacher”. Most ancient Sages majored in protective charms and poisonous ‘curative’ concoctions rather than preventive instructions. This does not mean the Bible did not mention Balms, Oils, Medicinal leaves, etc. To Moses cleanliness was part of godliness – hygiene was holiness also. Why? Because our bodies are given to us by God to keep in trust for Him. We must preserve our bodies as God wants:

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” (1Co 3:16-17)

There is also the beneficial aspect of the hygienic ritual laws – good health.

“And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.” (Exo 15:26)

“If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, THE LORD THY GOD; Then the LORD will make thy plagues wonderful, and the plagues of thy seed, even great plagues, and of long continuance, and sore sicknesses, and of long continuance.” (Deu 28:58-59)

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1. Personal Hygiene.

# The first close encounter with God needed that everyone had to bath and put on washed clothes.

“And the LORD said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the LORD. And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes, And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.” (Exo 19:9-11)

# Tattoo marks which were common in most ancient cultures and a means of transmitting viral diseases like Hepatitis and HIV/AIDS were forbidden, as well as mourning by gashing. Leviticus 19:28

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2. Sexual Health

In order to avoid the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS and genital infections and cancers, the Bible prescribes the following:

# Circumcision of every male (hygienic and from infancy). Genesis 17; Leviticus 12:3

# Bann on Prostitution. Leviticus 19:29

# Bann on homosexuality, bestiality and intra-menstrual intercourse and extramarital intercourse. Leviticus 20

3. Quarantine

In Leviticus 13 and 14 the Bible prescribes that those who show evidence of infection with leprosy and similar skin diseases should be diagnosed as unclean and kept away from the people till recovery, to avoid the spread of the disease.

Similar seclusions go for people with genital discharge. Leviticus 12 and 15. So also for those who come in contact with corpses. Numbers 19:11

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4. Water Purification

This was likely done with ground seeds of a tree called Moringa oleifera (i.e. Zogale in Hausa/Fulani). Moses learned this by special revelation.

“And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD showed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them, And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for am the LORD that healeth thee.” (Exo 15:23-26)

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5. Sanitation

# Even disposal of faeces is part of this hygienic holiness. This is to be done by digging underground to bury the faeces in Latrines:

"You are to have a place outside the camp where you can go when you need to relieve yourselves. Carry a stick as part of your equipment, so that when you have a bowel movement you can dig a hole and cover it up. Keep your camp ritually clean, because the LORD your God is with you in your camp to protect you and to give you victory over your enemies. Do not do anything indecent that would cause the LORD to turn his back on you.” (Deut 23:12-14)

During the “Black Death” bubonic plague of the 14^th Century, the Jews of Germany and Switzerland were particularly spared because one of their leaders, Balavignus of Strasburg, advised them to burn all refuse. This cleared the rats off the streets in the Jewish ghettos. On discovering the low incidence of the Plague among Jews, people erroneously imagined that the Jews caused the plague through poisoning, hence the unjust pogrom against the Jews.

The Law or Torah given by God through Moses were thought to be abrogated and obsolete commandments meant only to burden the Israelites, until the discovery that Plague and Cholera outbreaks could be controllable by quarantine and sanitation, prescribed in the Torah.

Christ corrected the misinterpretation of the real physical benefits of the Torah and recommended their sensible application:

“And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath.” (Mar 2:27)

“And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him. And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.” (Luk 5:12-14)

For long, St Paul’s warning against the false spirituality of Gnostic asceticism was often misunderstood to refer to Jewish observances:

“If ye died with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, do ye subject yourselves to ordinances, Handle not, nor taste, nor touch (all which things are to perish with the using), after the precepts and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will–worship, and humility, and severity to the body; but are not of any value against the indulgence of the flesh.” (Col 2:20-23)

European cities used to be stinking slums, except for Jewish ghettos, where sanitation was a religious duty. However the rediscovery of the health benefits of sanitation through primary medical science has changed all that, beginning with Europe and spreading to the rest of the world

# Soap (i.e. Ash from burned cedar, hyssop, scarlet and a heifer or cow Numbers 19:5-9) and fresh, running water (not stale or stagnant water) is prescribed for disinfection after quarantine. Numbers 19:17

# Washing of hands, feet, body and clothes, and shaving, before and after certain activities is prescribed as a way of being cleansed to be in the midst of God’s people. Hebrews 9:10; Exodus 30:19-21; Leviticus 14:8.

This ensures prevention of many diarrhoeal and contagious diseases.

This laid the foundation for the saying: “Cleanliness is next to Godliness”.

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6. Exercise and Rest

# The Sabbath rest every seven days ensures that workers and employers alike take a break to relax and recover from mental and physical stress. Exodus 20:8-11

# Exercise is also described in the Bible as having some health benefit to the body. 1Timothy 4:8

7. Healthy Diet

# The recent discovery that animal fat leads to high cholesterol levels that cause heart and vascular diseases has been revealed in the Bible 3500yrs ago. God forbade His people from eating animal fat. It could be burned or put to other use but not eaten. Leviticus 7:23-24

# Many animal reservoir hosts and disease transmitters of parasites and many zoonotic diseases are declared unclean (unhealthy) and forbidden for food; even their carcasses should be avoided too. The only animals clean (healthy) for food are land herbivores that both chew the curd and divide the hoof, aquatic animals that have fins and scales, leaping insects only and select list of non-carnivorous, non-scavenging birds. Leviticus 11

# Over-eating with attendant obesity also leads to heart diseases, diabetes mellitus, etc. The Bible warns against gluttony and drunkenness but prescribes moderation. Proverbs 23:21; Philippians 3:19 and 4:5

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8. Mental Health

It goes without saying that peace of mind which issues out of a Christ-like mind of LOVE for God, love for both friend and foe and a forgiving spirit is the ultimate antidote to most mental and emotional illnesses. Love is the fulfilling of the God’s Law.

“Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” (Mat 22:35-40)

“My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.” (Pro 3:1-4)

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Conclusion

Environmental degradation as a result of scientific and technological advancement and economic pursuit is not only irresponsible but irreligious. The place of the human race in the world is that of Stewardship of the Environment. If we fail in this role, our health will be in great jeopardy, and the blame will be ours. The best way out is to heed the wisdom God revealed in the Scripture.

The Grace of God be with you all.

+Emmanuel Maiduguri.

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Last updated: April 14, 2008

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