Dark green religion : nature spirituality and the planetary future

357 Pages·2010·1.95 MB·English

by  Taylor

Praise for Dark Green Religion
“The urge to find meaning and value through connecting with creation
likely constitutes a deep and enduring human need. This important book
provides insight regarding how a profound sense of relation to nature
offers many in the modern world a vehicle for attaining this spiritual
wholeness akin to what has been historically associated with established
religion. In this sense, Dark Green Religion offers both understanding
and hope for a world struggling for meaning and purpose beyond the
isolation of the material h ere and now.”
Stephen Kellert, Tweedy Ordway Professor of Social Ecol ogy,
Yale University School of Forestry
and Environmental Studies
“In this thought-p rovoking volume, Bron Taylor explores the seemingly
boundless efforts by human beings to understand the nature of life and
our place in the universe. Examining in depth the ways in which the
most influential phi los o phers and naturalists have viewed this relation-
ship, Taylor contributes to the construction of sound foundations for
the further development of thought in this critically important area,
where our depth of understanding will play a critical role in our sur-
vival. This important book should be widely studied and will be greatly
appreciated by those who take the time to savor its intellectual depths.”
Peter H. Raven, President, Missouri Botanical Garden
“A fascinating analysis of our emotional and spiritual relationship to na-
ture. Whether you call it dark green religion or something else, Bron
Taylor takes us through our spiritual relationship with our planet, its
ecosystems and evolution, in an enlightened and completely undogmatic
manner.”
Claude Martin, Former Director General,
World Wildlife Fund
“An excellent collection of guideposts for perplexed students and
scholars about the relationships between nature religions, spirituality,
animism, pantheism, deep ecol ogy, Gaia, and land ethics—a nd for the
environmentalist seeking to make the world a better place through
green religion as a social force.”
Fikret Berkes, author of Sacred Ecol ogy: Traditional Ecological
Knowledge and Resource Management
“In this exceptionally interesting and informative book, Bron Taylor
has harvested the fruits of years of pioneering research in what amounts
to a new field in religious studies: the study of how religious and spiri-
tual themes show up in the work of people concerned about nature in
many diverse ways. Taylor persuasively argues that appreciation of na-
ture’s sacred or spiritual dimension both informs and motivates the
work of individuals ranging from radical environmentalists and surfers,
to ecotourism leaders and museum curators. I highly recommend this
book for everyone interested in learning more about the surprising ex-
tent to which religion and spirituality influence many of those who work
to protect, exhibit, or represent the natural world.”
Michael E. Zimmerman, Director, Center for Humanities
and the Arts, University of
Colorado at Boulder
Dark Green Religion
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Dark Green Religion
Nature Spirituality and
the Planetary Future
Bron Taylor
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PRESS
Berkeley / Los Angeles / London
University of California Press, one of the most distinguished university
presses in the United States, enriches lives around the world by advancing
scholarship in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Its
activities are supported by the UC Press Foundation and by philanthropic
contributions from individuals and institutions. For more information, visit
www .ucpress. edu .
University of California Press
Berkeley and Los Angeles, California
University of California Press, Ltd.
London, En gland
© 2010by The Regents of the University of California
Library of Congress Cataloging-i n-P ublication Data
Taylor, Bron Raymond.
Dark green religion : nature spirituality and the planetary future / Bron
Taylor.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
isbn 978–0–520–23775–9(cloth : alk. paper)
isbn 978–0–520–26100–6(pbk. : alk. paper)
1. Nature— Religious aspects. 2. Nature worship. I. Title.
bl65.n35t39 2010
202'.12—dc22 2009009180
Manufactured in the United States of America
18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 09
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
This book is printed on Cascades Enviro 100, a 100% post consumer waste,
recycled, de- inked fiber. FSC recycled certified and pro cessed chlorine free.
It is acid free, Ecologo certified, and manufactured by BioGas energy.
For the elders
and compadres
found in these pages...
for my beloveds
Beth Ann
Anders, Kaarin, and Kelsey...
and for all
who in their own ways
revel in
defend
and worship
the chorus of life
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Contents
Preface ix
Readers’ G uide xiii
1. Introducing Religion and Dark Green Religion 1
2. Dark Green Religion 13
3. Dark Green Religion in North America 42
4. Radical Environmentalism 71
5. Surfing Spirituality 103
6. Globalization with Predators and Moving Pictures 127
7. Globalization in Arts, Sciences, and Letters 155
8. Terrapolitan Earth R eligion 180
9. Conclusion: Dark Green Religion and the Planetary Future 200
Afterword on Terminology 223
Acknowledgments 225
Appendix: Excerpts with Commentary on the Writings
of Henry David Thoreau 227
Notes 249
Bibliography 299
Index 323