That said, I think all the faiths, including those conspicuously missing here – Christianity and Islam – have some reference to ’stewardship’ in some form or other. While this is usually in respect to animals, it should encompass all living things, so most religions can be read as being predominantly green. In fact, not just green, but GREEN!

Of course, as with all aspects of religion, the true meanings of a religion’s teachings are open to vastly differing interpretations. What some would term as stewardship over, others would argue should be thought of as dominion over – two immensely different concepts.

But that’s not the problem. The problem is people. When the majority of the world is religious, as opposed to atheist, you have to ask why the world is in the mess it’s in when all these faiths preach compassion for everyone and everything.

At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what one religion says compared to another, it’s what the individual does with the knowledge that matters. Sadly, while most people believe in some form of religion, they don’t yet believe in the stewardship aspect enough for it to make a difference. People are simply too selfish. Let’s hope the seas don’t have to rise and all the forests burn before they see the beauty in many of the teachings of the world’s philosophies and faiths.

Steve N. Lee
author of eco-blog http://www.lionsledbysheep.com