by Robert Harden

Created on: February 06, 2009

In answering the question "should all Neo-Pagans be environmentalists?" one must first define the terms in question. Let us give what is considered the traditional, broad definition of pagan and say that it is anyone who follows a nature based religion that traces itself to or has its primary influence in Pre-Christian European traditions. The term "pagan" is complex and there is no simple definition. The one being used for this article may exclude some groups that may desire to be included and include others that should not be but it is a practical working definition for our purposes. An environmentalist is going to be anyone who takes an active role in preventing human destruction or over interference into the remaining pristine areas of nature and seeks to minimize damage that people have already caused.

Taking these two definitions into account there is absolutely no question that all neo-pagans should be environmentalists. First of all, and this extends far beyond paganism to everybody, what is generally referred to as "the environment" is absolutely necessary to the survival of human kind. As much as some of us may want to exist in artificial and perpetually warm and completely comfortable environments the fact is that the oxygen we breathe comes from trees, and our food and water from the ground. If humanity wishes to survive it must control many aspects of the environment, yes, but it cannot destroy them. All life is interconnected and to destroy our world is to destroy ourselves.

That said, as much of an obligation that every person who requires oxygen and food to survive (and this author is assuming that's most everybody) have to protect the world in which they live, for pagans this obligation and responsibility is even greater. Most of the world's major religions tend to take emphasis off of the world in which its followers live. Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, etc. teach that this world is an illusion at best and that it is not the final stage of human existence. In having this belief, it is clear that sustainability of human life is not particularly important because there are greater concerns beyond this universe. In stark contrast to this, most pagan traditions are materialistic. Aside from maybe a temporary holding place for souls, such as the Summerland, this world is essentially all there is and that it is each pagan's duty to make it the best place it can be rather than focusing on some sort of ethereal plane that may not exist. Most pagans hold that when they die they will end up right back here, and so the necessity of protecting this planet for posterity comes into focus.

But even this does not sum up paganism's relationship with the environment. In most pagan traditions the world itself, and not just humanity, is a sacred creation of the divine forces, whatever they may be to any individual Neo-pagan. Many traditions have deities who are linked with a certain aspect of nature such as sky, forest, or sea gods. In this sense, protecting the environment is not just a practical human concern but also a sacred duty to the powers that be.

Ultimately, most Neo-Pagan traditions rightfully equate protecting the environment with protecting the sacred forces around them. But regardless of religious belief, protecting the environment is not idealistic or romantic in any way. It is a simple matter of ensuring that humanity can continue to exist on this planet and can achieve balance between shaping the world to suit its needs and maintaining what the world has already given to us.

Learn more about this author, Robert Harden.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.