Nature and ecology concepts and interactions

¶ … nature is that opposites attract and there is much binary opposition in human-Nature relationships.

It is important to understand that the human species -- along with its culture -- is a part of the ecosystem. Therefore, ecology describes the material processes in ecosystems, such as the imbalances of carbon, nitrogen, or phosphorus cycles, the population problem and the rates of fishing and resource management.

Having sufficient ecological knowledge is not sufficient to solve many of the ecological problems because it is not able to solve the environmental issues of modern culture. Even though we know why the number of living species in the world is decreasing, the human population is growing, the mounting waste from the backyards and oceanic abyss reach the upper layers of the atmosphere. The solution to these problems requires knowledge of ecological processes, and human behavior too.

The relationship between humans and nature are connected very closely to the cultural processes. This is shown by the behavior of the primeval society on Easter Island, which has many religious symbols and the stone statues that was followed by the destruction of the forest on the island, subsequently causing the deterioration of the culture. We need to understand that we build the surrounding nature ourselves.

Even though the human community and nature can never be 100% together, this does not mean that there is no point in protecting nature or ecological environment. Philosophically, it is important to remember that even the most carefully protected nature is somehow changed nature.

Ecology, even though it has areas like ecological psychology or ecological linguistics, it has never been considered truly as a natural science. Human society belongs in ecological systems not because of its mental abilities, but because of metabolism and energy consumption, and also because of the mutual relationships with other species.

The global environmental problems affect the religious, ethical and moral commitment in the present-day world. There is new literature on the environmental crisis from theologians, church leaders and many other religious thinkers from around the world.

There has been a debate over the relationship between humanity and nature since time immemorial. Philosophers, scientists, artists, and religious people have expressed their admiration for nature, as well as their concern about the human/nature balance. This concern dates back to when the harmonious relationship between our first parents and God was dismantled.

Adam and Eve were creatures of God given the responsibility of maintaining a harmonious balance between the human beings, and also between human nature and God. However, one sinful mistake broke the relationship of trust. When Eve chose to eat the forbidden fruit, she chose to trust Satan and not God. Simultaneously, she used nature based on an egocentric and rationalistic ethic. She desired to eat the fruit more than obey God. Her ego made her go beyond God's prohibition, and her reasoning was above God's will. When Adam came to know about the consequences of Eve's mistake he didn't trust God and quickly ate the fruit. This couple's behavior is reflected in all relationships among human beings, and between human beings and nature, etc.

Bible and Environmental Crisis

In Christianity, the environment issue is friendly. The Bible states that no one lives or dies to himself (Rom. 14:8), this means that there is interdependence among all living things and we live at the will of God.

The Protestant ethics is responsible for present practices of environmental exploitation. Since they believed that t humans could dominate and control the Earth (Gen. 1:28). Whereas the reality is that humanity can reproduce, with living beings and their environment, the same relations of care and love determined by Him during Creation. By telling Adam about the kind of work he would perform in Eden, God stated the first Environmental Protection Act (Gen. 2:15), which implied that there was to be a friendly relationship between humans and their Creator.

The ecological perception from the Bible's point-of-view is that life does not belong to a person, but to everyone. The basic purpose of Environmental studies and Ecology is to revive the original aspect of a perfect planet.

Jesus' warning about this sort of worldview is revealed in the parable of the disloyal steward, in which his master expects him to take care of the master' house and his servants (Luke 12:42-48). In a more decisive statement, Jesus advises us that there will come the time for Him to "destroy those who destroy the earth" (Rev. 1:18).