Gaia and God by Rosemary Ruether Term Paper

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Gaia and God

Rosemary R. Ruether's book, Gaia and God: An Ecofeminist Theology of Earth Healing presents a thorough look at the relationship between Christianity, patriarchal society, and the destruction of the environment. She argues that the Christian concept of sin is at the root of the domination of women, the environment, and the need to dominate other humans. In order to overcome this destructive tradition, Ruether argues that as a society we must learn to move toward "earth healing, a healed relationship between men and women, between classes and nations, and between humans and the earth" (1). A number of practical suggestions that derive from the ethical implications of Ruether's thesis provide a solid basis for changes in public policy.

In Gaia and God, Ruether offers a critique that is solidly based upon Christian theology. In examining three cornerstone creation stories of Western thought (the Enuma Elish, Plato's Timeaus, and Genesis), Ruether argues that early Christianity's melding of these three sources has resulted in the formation of two assumptions. The first is that nature was originally an untouched paradise that was a benign human environment. The second was that human sin brought about human mortality. Further, she argues that these two assumptions have created an environment were human attitudes of domination over nonhuman creation are inextricably linked with the Christian concept of sin. Ruether sees sin as the improper relationship that exists between humans and the remainder of nature, and that sin itself is at the root of many human concerns like sexism, racism, political and economic injustice, as well as the human desire to subjugate nature.

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Ruether's book is unique and valuable in its ability to successfully integrate criticism of Christian ecology with some hard scientific information. She is equally at home discussing concepts of population growth, pollution, extinction and poverty as she is in her theological discussion of the roots of human sin. She argues convincingly that the Christian assumption that humans originally lived in harmonious groups in a benign environment is incorrect, and that sin must be distinguished from finitude, the good conditions of human life that were created by God. Further, she is adept at identifying and criticizing many of Christianity's historic acts and attitudes that have resulted in damage to human society and the environment.

Ruether argues that male domination of nature and of women are closely connected. It is this attitude of patriarchal domination that is the root cause of the destruction of the environment, the subjugation of women, and human acts of domination over others, whether this domination is social, economic, or political.

Ultimately, Ruether asserts that relentless human abuse will cause the destruction of the ecosystem.

There are a number of ethical implications that emerge from the theology within Gaia and God. Ruether clearly argues that humankind's subversion and domination of the earth is a sin against God. Further, the domination of humans by each other is a sinful act.

If the author's thesis is true, it holds several important implications for human behavior. Ruether herself is clear about the actions that need to be taken in accordance with her theory. She….....

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