EarthLight Resources

• Page 4 Bold AAAS Action Do you share the view that science has replaced God in our society? What is the proper role of scientists? What is the effect of scientific warnings about environmental catastrophes? Why is the AAAS warning different? In what ways can science and religion collaborate to help avert ecological collapse?

• Page 5 Old growth Logging Spurs Religious Action Take a moment to reflect upon the life of Judy Bari whose death came before a resolution of the Headwaters Forest Logging confrontation. Who will fill her shoes? If this issue is a strong one for you, read the story of the Redwood Rabbis on page 22.

• Page 5 Ogoni Oppression Have you followed this Nigerian tragedy? How can the international community respond to such situations?

• Page 6 Elizabeth Johnson - Discerning Kinship with Earth Can you restate Elizabeth Johnson's King/Steward/Kin definitions? Is kinship the best we can do? If need indicates value, what does the earth need human beings for? Has granite any need for us to blast and carve it?

• Page 6 Denise Levertov - Beginners What are some of the signs you see of things "in the bud" for which you hold hope?

• Page 7 Tom Hayden - Reclaiming the Lost Gospel Does it surprise you that a politician can write these words? What does it suggest about the state of religion and religion in the state? If Moses/Buddha/Jesus/Mohammed were to come again and preach a new divine message, what would it be? Has your meeting/church/temple already heard this message? How shall we spread the word?

• Page 8-9 Elizabeth Johnson - Retrieval of the Cosmos in Theology What have you read in the "book of nature" that has led you to "knowledge about God's wisdom, power, and love?" What is your response to the age, size, dynamics and organics of the cosmos as Elizabeth describes them? Elizabeth Johnson speaks mostly of Catholic theology. What do the theologians of your faith have to say about cosmology? Try answering the question she poses following the story of Ellery the Goldfish.

• Page 10-11 Sally McFague -How should we Love Nature? Can we love Nature wholeheartedly without slipping into paganism? Would that be bad? Have you ever paid such complete attention to something in nature that the moment became a prayer? If life and death are so close, what value do we place on our consciousness?

• Page 12 Poems by Deborah Duddley, John Rushkin and e. e. cummings. Read each poem aloud. With which ones does your poetic heart resonate? Copy the poem that speaks to you and post it where you can read it again and again. Where is that place?

• Page 13 Fritz Hull - A New Spirit of Hope How has working for life nourished your life? What have you done to help other workers feel the spiritual joy? Who have you thanked recently for their environmental work? for their spiritual leadership? Is the universe a "friendly place?" How do you experience the cosmos?

• Page 14 Keith Helmuth -Earth Process and the Wish for Human Exemption What future do you see for faiths based on Judeo-Christian thought? What is your view of death? Is the death of a plant or an animal different from the death of a human being? Have you ever prayed to be exempted from the natural laws of the universe?

• Page 16-17 EarthSaint: Kenneth Rexroth David Barnhill describes Rexroth as a Catholic influenced by Buddhism and Quakerism. How would you describe the main religious influences in your life? What is dominant now? Have you ever been entranced by stars, planets, comets, celestial events? What are your images of spring? How do they compare with spring from Aix en Provence?

• Page 18-19 Kurt Hoelting -Confessions from the Buddhist Frontier Have you ever been in a place where you could hear no motors, no radios, nothing but sounds made independent of human participation? What did you hear? Have you ever explored Buddhist practice or philosophy? What insights does Buddhism offer our world?

• Page 20-21 Niel Douglas-Kolz, Joseph L. Grabill & Deborah Oberg - Do We Need Jesus of Ecology? Isho'a, "Source of Elemental life which restores and preserves," Does this Aramaic rendering of "Jesus" expand your understanding? If evil is "Not yet ripe enough to be good," what does it mean to be good? Where is Satan in this picture? Do we need him? How do you answer the title question?

• Page 22-23 Richard Sheinin -Redwood Seder Have you ever attended a Seder, for Passover, as an example? What are your memories of such meals? How much of your reality is encompassed by the four: Being, Knowing, Feeling, Doing? Is this a useful way of looking at life? What other creative ways can you think of for getting the pro-tree message across?

• Page 24-29 EarthReviews Nine books are reviewed or recommended in this issue. Have you read any of them yet? Which ones are the most appealing to you? Have you come across a book we ought to review? We welcome submissions.

• Back Cover Russell Means - The Power of Mothers How does the image of Mother Earth work for you? Is en-vironmentalism a branch of feminism? Russell Means has claimed the moral high ground for native peoples against the Euro-peans. How much of that is justified?

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