PEJ - Resources
Human Rights Watch
The Irish site of the Columbans includes links to HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH and the countries where Columban Missionaries are based. The site can be reached at http://www.columban.com/humanrightspage.htm
WTO Cancun
See reports on the Irish Columban site at http://www.columban.com/wto.htm
Articles by George Monbiot
http://www.columban.com/georgemonbiot.htm
Protection of Creation
See excellent reading list at http://www.columban.com/maecotheo.htm
Books and Articles
ECOLOGICAL THEOLOGY
EDWARDS, Denis JESUS THE WISDOM OF GOD (1995)
At the centre of this ecological theology is the Trinitarian God of love and ecstatic fecundity. The Wisdom of God from Biblical Tradition is embodied in Jesus, the preacher of the reign of God who practises radical compassion. Human beings and other creatures live in a cosmic community transformed by the Christ who embodies a love that moves the stars. The components of an ecological praxis are centred around human beings in relationship with all creatures of God.
Earlier, JESUS AND THE COSMOS (1991), Edwards had pondered the relationship between the story of Jesus and the evolving scientific story of the universe. A secular universe and a spiritual creation converge when the risen Christ becomes a dynamic power at the heart of cosmic processes. Later, MADE FROM STARDUST (1992), he explored the place of human beings within creation, asking how do we understand ourselves as part of the expanding cosmos and the evolutionary history of life on earth? The answer: creation is the presence and self-expression of God; human beings are companions to all earth creatures; and salvation in Jesus Christ embraces and transforms the whole universe.
GLOBAL AGENDAS
BEDER, Sharon GLOBAL SPIN: The Corporate Assault on Environmentalism (1997)
Dr. Beder, from the University of Wollongong, documents the story of powerful conservative forces using sophisticated techniques to change the ways we think about the environment. She tells of large corporations using their influence to reshape public opinion, to weaken gains made by environmentalists, and to turn politicians against increased regulations.
The techniques include the specialised promotion of corporate agenda, the creation of artificial support for causes, the imposition of SLAPPs (strategic lawsuits against public participation) to deter public involvement, the funding of think-tanks, the production of educational material, plus the use of advertising and sponsorship to influence media news content - all to cast doubt on the existence of environmental problems and to oppose stricter regulations.
MARTIN, Hans-Peter & SCHUMANN, Harald THE GLOBAL TRAP (1996)
The authors explore globalisation in terms of participation and shared prosperity. The picture is grim - a technological world is emerging with use for only one fifth of the world's current work force. In the 20:80 society, 20% will keep the economy going, while 80% will be distracted with entertainment. Unless the primacy of politics over economy can be re-asserted, global disintegration will be the consequence, with inhuman transnational power blocs calling the shots to the sovereign states.
ETHICS
RASMUSSEN, Larry L. EARTH COMMUNITY EARTH ETHICS (1996)
What is the spiritual re-orientation required to support communities against unjust and unsustainable uses of power? Rasmussen presents a holistic vision of earth community life, synthesising insights from religion, ethics and environmentalism. Rasmussen's code: Earth Scan, Earth Faith and Earth Action.
ECONOMIC LIFE
STACKHOUSE, Max et al ON MORAL BUSINESS (1995) [174.4 STA]
This anthology reveals how faith and morality have influenced the shape of economic life in the past and continues to do so in an emerging global civilisation. The collection of key classical and contemporary texts on ethics and moral teaching stretches from the Hebrew scriptures to modern documents from social theology. With legal and financial considerations dominating debate, this is a fine resource on ethical experience and wisdom for the market.
GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES
SNYDER, Howard A. EARTH CURRENTS: The struggle for the world's soul (1995)
Considering the global revolution in every area of life and culture, Snyder surveys mega-trends and reflects on emerging world-views, then identifies sources of hope. Various shifts in global culture, ecological science, world economics, on-line electronics, biological technology and philosophy come into play. The shifts help us to understand emerging world-views and what influences belief.
The presentations include pragmatism, science, gaia, God in the shadows, fate, postmodernism and the death of world-views. Questions emerge on personal meaning in today's global city - how are we at home in the cosmos? We seek a compelling world-story with meaning, order, surprise and coherence.
ETHICS
NORTHCOTT, Michael THE ENVIRONMENT & CHRISTIAN ETHICS (1996) [261.836 NOR]
Northcott surveys the extent and the roots of the environmental crisis and reviews the responses in moral philosophy and ecological theology. He examines secular modernity, industrial society and the modern denial of relationality between the divine creator and the human social project, and the non-human world. His ecological reading of concepts such as covenant, land, justice and natural law, suggests the natural law tradition provides an ethical account of creation and of human society which is deeply relational, close to primal traditions.
Instead of setting the needs of persons against the needs of the planet, Northcott finds in the natural law tradition an ethical vision which re-connects the quest for social justice and the common good in human society with sustainability and ecological harmony in the natural world.
SPIRITUALITY
McDANIEL, Jay B. WITH ROOTS AND WINGS (1995) [261.836 MCD]
Here is a spirituality for those who want to be rooted in the earth, open to fresh religious experience, and faithful to God. The author brings together insights from the natural sciences, Christian theology and inter-religious dialogue, in his search for a wholistic spirituality. Taking his title from the Jewish proverb - that we must provide youth with both roots and wings - McDaniel shows how this applies to our spiritual lives as well.
Three basic alternatives emerge: to be rooted in the Earth and our religious tradition; to be open to the insights of other faiths as well as to share our own; and to become cantered on God. Berry and Swimme's new universe story, lessons from Native American tradition, plus wisdom from Buddhists, Hindus, Jews and Muslims, all find a place in the imaginative text.
JONAS, Hans THE IMPERATIVE OF RESPONSIBILITY (1985) [170.42 JON]
In his quest for ethics for the technological age Jonas has us first consider the awesome transformations wrought through nuclear threats, ecological crises, genetic engineering and the like. Are modern technological developments hostile to our deepest needs? Jonas, without illusion or despair, calls for heightened sensitivity and responsibility. He addresses explicit duties to self, posterity and the environment.
