St Francis of Assisi

The second of the two sections I had to cut out from the afore mentioned paper. Here I refuted White’s statement that St Francis of Assisi represent a viable alternative to the dominant Western Christian attitude towards nature.

                White’s posited Christian alternative to what he perceives to be the dominant, and ecologically detrimental, Western Christian attitude toward nature, St Francis of Assisi, does not represent the hope for a modern environmentally-conscious Christianity that White supposes. While Francis’ life is remarkable in the history of Western Christianity for his loving all creation equally, the environmentalism of St Francis (if indeed that term can be applied, since our modern concern for ecological balance and species survival was not present in Francis’ thought) is far from sufficient to address the concerns of the world today. The sentiment that creation, from the lowliest animal to the very Sun, exists in a fraternity of the love of God, and that all God’s creations are symbols of Him, such as is evident in St Francis’ Canticle of the Creatures, while suitable as a vehicle for spiritual development, does not translate into positive action. St Francis’ attitude more closely resembles that of White’s preferred model of sainthood: the contemplative Eastern[1] Christian Saint.[2]

                However, the problems facing the world today cannot be stopped by the pleasant inaction of the contemplative Saint. Though it is possible that had the larger Western Christian tradition adopted St Francis’ attitude toward the natural world, we would not be in the ecological crisis in which we find ourselves.[3] However, the damage, regardless of its cause, is done, and an attitude of action,[4] framed within a new paradigm for Christian thought, is necessary if we are to hope to un-do that damage.

 

---

[1] White uses the terms “Greek,” or the “Greek East,” in contradistinction to “Latin,” or the “Latin West,” however this nomenclature is imprecise, and fails to cover the diversity of Eastern Orthodoxy (the communion to which White presumably refers, whether he means to exclude Eastern Catholicism, Oriental Orthodoxy, and other Eastern Christianities is uncertain)

[2] White, Roots, 1206

[3] Justly so, it is possible that we would also not enjoy the standard of living nor level of technological advancement that we do today

[4] The quality of Western models of Sainthood which White decries; White, Roots, 1206

Fearless

So I have in my list of current projects a knitted tie by Veronik Avery, one of my favourite designers. There is, however, one problem: i’m a little afraid to start it. It’s the most patterned thing i’ve worked on, and my ever-present fear of making a mistake is holding me back from working on it. I’m pretty sure that’s the dumbest thing ever.

Climate Change Melts Man

A man in Buenos Aires has been melted by global warming. How horrid! Read the full story here. No word yet on why he is blue.

Fortunately, he had some flyers handy.

Greener

I’m in the market for a new cellphone, my current one is dying on me, after 3 or 4 years (which isn’t bad given that the average cell phone user upgrades ever year and a half). I decided to check out the latest Greenpeace report on which cellphone makers are the greenest, so I could be better informed about making a green choice when I get my new phone. And I think that which company is doing the best of being greener is imporant for everyone to know. So here is the information:

Greener Electronics

History

Blair Wilson, Green MP

History was made today. The Green Party of Canada has its very first Member of Parliament. Blair Wilson, previously sitting as a Liberal and then Independent MP, has joined the Greens. I look forward to this bringing in a new era of increased awareness of the Green Party, Green leaders taking part in Leader’s Debates, and Canadians electing Green MPs.