Sears' summit goes dark for Earth Day

In a world where environmental issues are clouded with politics and policy, religions have been teaching an earth stewardship doctrine for centuries. Many Chicago religious leaders consider God the original "green" activist.

Just ask Rabbi Einat Weiner-Kaplow of the Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Synagogue in Northbrook about the Hebrew idea of  "tikkun olam," or "repairing the world."

“Judaism is absolutely strongly linked into the idea of earth stewardship and environmentalism,” Weiner-Kaplow said. “It starts with the creation of the world and the concept of tikkun olam, that human beings are partners with God in completing the creation of the world.”

The Roman Catholic faith also incorporates creation into the idea of environmental stewardship, according to Nick Lund-Molfese, director of the Office of Peace and Justice for the Archdiocese of Chicago.

“We believe that God created all that we have out of love,” Lund-Molfese said. “If you think of the universe as a gift there is an obligation to take care of it for the good of all humanity.”

Some polytheistic religions, including Hinduism and paganism, are intrinsically linked to environmental issues.
Rohini Udupa, a volunteer at the Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago in Lemont, said that the natural world is at the core of Hinduism.

“In Hinduism, the sky, water, the earth, all things are considered gods, and all Hinduism is expected to treat these elements of the earth with respect.” Udupa said.

Paulette Reynolds, local coordinator of Chicago Pagan Pride, was adamant about the environmental heart of her religion.

“Pagans by our very religion we honor and revere the earth,” Reynolds said. “We’re all very environmentally conscious and aware, and I’d say we were more conscious and aware long before it became fashionable to do so. We live our greenness every day.”

Abdul Karim, prayer leader, or imam, of the Al Sadiq Mosque in Bronzeville, said he did not think Islam directly address environmental causes.

"Everything in the holy Koran is not spelled out. You have to look at yourself and ask, 'Is this right or is this wrong?’” Karim said. “These issues with the environment, they have a ripple effect.”

Many Chicago religious communities are now taking their dedication to environmental stewardship beyond their worship services and creating green programs for their members as well.

Steven Slaughter, member of First Free Evangelical Church in the Andersonville neighborhood, is a founding member of his congregation’s green living studies which discuss environmental books and topics. The church has also begun to participate in farmers markets, help host recycling events and put on different green programs for its members.

Slaughter recalled a conversation he had with a woman who was surprised to learn his booth at an environmental event was for a church.

“She stopped and looked at me with a quizzical expression and said, ‘You don’t usually think of the church caring about the earth and caring about the environment.' She was genuinely perplexed by this idea that a church would care about the environment,’” Slaughter said. “And I said, ‘You know on the one hand you’re absolutely right, it’s sad that it is a surprise to you but you’re absolutely right you don’t usually do you? But we want to change that so we’re starting to try to do that.’”