Religion, ecology & gender: East-West perspectives

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The understanding of nature is central to European self-awareness, while life and energy hold similar significance in Asia. Globally, numerous institutions prioritize environmental and climate protection. However, the lack of focus on the human and spiritual dimensions of these issues is notable. Environmental and climatic changes impact culture, politics, economy, and religion. Religious traditions are influenced by human ecologies and, in turn, shape our perceptions of nature and sociocultural practices. As life and religion undergo significant transformations, questions arise about how religion can effect change. How are religious and ecological processes gendered, and how can ecofeminism enhance our understanding of justice? What spiritual resources exist in both Eastern and Western traditions? How can Christian theology aid in the eco-cultural revolution we need? Furthermore, how can Buddhist, Taoist, Confucian, and Christian spiritualities collaborate for a shared future? Scholars from Korea, Canada, and Scandinavia explore these questions, drawing from discussions at an international workshop held in 2007 in Yecheon and Seoul. This work represents the first volume in a series initiated by the European Forum for the Study of Religion and the Environment.