Fifth Week : more thought about Religion

And now back to religion as a driver for change

As sustainable communities try to achieve overall health within their community, they tend to have a holistic approach. This comprises thinking about the environment, the economy, health, social inequity generally the most common indicators of sustainability.
But doesn't religion also try to get these values in society? Love the animals, love thy neighbour, provide for the homeless, the widows and fatherless, do not kill, lie or steal, do not crave for what is thy neigbour's......it get close to values of sustainability. And these values are taught by simply all religions. Religious conflicts mostly arise when one religious group feels to be falling behind of another. So instead of applying these values to only their fellow believers, people of one religion should apply these values also to others outside their religion. Once again, respect has to be valued very high. Maybe if we just started to apply the abovementioned moral values to our societies (respect first) we might appeal to deeper human thoughts and strives. And stop favouring one religion above another, but simply treasuring the shared values and integrating them into the sustainability thoughts and practices. Because religion creates a bond. Shared values also create a bond. And sustainability wants to create a greater bond between people on earth. What if sustainability, respect and religious values start working together? imagine the results we would book! We would be connected as people on earth. Wait, not only that, earth would be connected, with its people, animals, plants, oceans, minerals and what more. And then this sustainability would be maintained, because everybody would feel connected to it and see the benefits. So this includes both personal behaviour and behaviour of the group to go towards sustainability. Ofcourse, there would also be opposition. But this would be a minority. And to deal with them, you need to show RESPECT.
(http://www.maweb.org/documents/document.302.aspx.pdf)

(http://www.dw.de/people-are-unaware-of-the-churchs-influence-on-climate-issues/a-16714418
http://mams.rmit.edu.au/qlqgtt45xgu7z.pdf)

My own opinion:

Religion has shown to be a strong motivator in behavioural change Both on the personal level and as a group. Religion has changedpeople who once were using drugs into people who got out of their unhealthy (and unsustainable) life and now focus on their family or on God.
People who once were in prison (for repeatedly doing wrong) are now preaching their healthier lifestyle to others. And groups have also changed. Groups gather around places of worship to achieve higher, common goals. Yes, if you want to talk about change, religion surely is a tool.