“At the same time, “the universe as a whole, in all its manifold relationships, shows forth the inexhaustible richness of God”. Hence, to be wise, “we need to grasp the variety of things in their multiple relationships”. Along this path of wisdom, it is not a matter of indifference to us that so many species are disappearing and that the climate crisis endangers the life of many other beings.”
So what do modern religions find as the roles they must play in keeping plants (in particular), animals and microbes from extinction? Well, most church, synagogue and mosque communities take this to be a side issue, not their core responsibility, but Pope Francis sees no dualism there, nor do Indigenous spiritual sensibilities. But it is time for all faiths to show support to and lend a hand at conserving and restoring sacred and ceremonial plants needed by all faith-based or spiritually guided communities and affirm that these plants must be protected from despotic governments and mining companies, and warfare, as well as from overharvesting for purely recreational uses not linked to spiritual traditions and the cultural plant caretakers.
From peyote to Sonoran Desert toads in the US Mexico desert borderlands, to the trees of Lebanon in the Middle East and yage in South America, there are reports of overharvesting and culturally inappropriate uses. We need to flip those stories, demonstrating that every faith on earth should support and defend those who are caretakers of these plants and animals, so that ancient ceremonies can continue as a human unalienable right to freedom of religious expression.
