Human exceptionalism, the idea that humanity has the right to rule over nature, has brought us to the brink of environmental disaster in the form of climate change. Clearly, it is time for the world to reject the arrogant and mistaken belief that the Earth’s resources can be consumed and exploited without consequence. Roger Santodomingo, UU World, Fall, 2022
The idea from the Book of Genesis (1:28) that God gave the earth to homo sapiens to dominate, subjugate and exploit is a pernicious and misguided teaching. This idea has led to genocide, speciescide, exploitation, degradation, harm, and extinction.
With disastrous consequences of this false teaching becoming ever more apparent, it is time for homo sapiens to wise up, acknowledge wrongdoing, repent, and repair the harm that has been done. But first hearts and minds must change their thought system. The earth is not ours to exploit but to protect and nurture.
Unitarian Universalists covenant together to affirm and promote a respect for the interdependent web of existence of which we are a part. Let us lift up, teach, and be creative in ways of applying this principle in our lives personally, community, and societally. We might begin with challenging the idea that homo sapiens have the right to exploit and dominate other living things. Rather, we are here to nurture, enhance, and facilitate evolutionary processes.
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