Pope Franzsikus Encyclical Laudato siThe Infinitism to implement the encyclical of Pope Fanziskus to make known the true extent of our task. Here to the encyclical
67. We are not God. The earth was here before us and it has been given to us. This allows us to respond to the charge that Judaeo-Christian thinking, on the basis of the Genesis account which grants man dominion over the earth (cf. Gen 1:28), has encouraged the unbridled exploitation of nature by painting him as domineering and destructive by nature. This is not a correct interpretation of the Bible as understood by the Church. Although it is true that we Christians have at times incorrectly interpreted the Scriptures, nowadays we must forcefully reject the notion that our being created in Gods image and given dominion over the earth justifies absolute domination over other creatures. The biblical texts are to be read in their context, with an appropriate hermeneutic, recognizing that they tell us to till and keep the garden of the world (cf. Gen 2:15). Tilling refers to cultivating, ploughing or working, while keeping means caring, protecting, overseeing and preserving. This implies a relationship of mutual responsibility between human beings and nature. Each community can take from the bounty of the earth whatever it needs for subsistence, but it also has the duty to protect the earth and to ensure its fruitfulness for coming generations. The earth is the Lords (Ps 24:1); to him belongs the earth with all that is within it (Dt 10:14). Thus God rejects every claim to absolute ownership: The land shall not be sold in perpetuity, for the land is mine; for you are strangers and sojourners with me (Lev 25:23).
This caring, protecting, overseeing and preserving is a much more powerful task, as it has taken mankind ever true. The immensity of this task was first described in the levels of a civilization in the book "Calculation ERROR" starting at page 399. We can be part of a civilization that can grow on this huge task, or extremely myopic Super individualists who live like puppies into the day and let god be a nice man. |