My Winding Path to Environmental Activism: Introduction (Part 1/10)

Last updated on: May 10, 2016 at 8:10 pm by John Halstead

My Winding Path to Environmental Activism: Introduction (Part 1/10) 2016-05-10T20:10:43-05:00 John Halstead

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

A poster my daughter made and which I carried in an environmental protest march in Chicago (in front of Trump Tower)

This weekend, I’m planning on being arrested as part of an environmental action at a petroleum refinery on Lake Michigan near where I live.

Two years ago, I didn’t even recycle.

Obviously, a lot has happened in the last couple of years. I’ve become passionate about responding to climate change, specifically about crafting a religious response to climate change.

And sometimes my passion causes me to forget how I got here.

A wise friend recently wrote to me:

“Just don’t forget what it took to get yourself to where your worldview is now. Not only did it make you the person you are now, but it helps to remember when you cross paths with someone who holds a view that seems totally foreign to you. My past self wouldn’t understand my self now. Bridging that gap was key to helping ourselves find a direction in tune with our ecosystem and will be key to helping others find that too. So I try to think of how to explain things to my former self that would help, and then use what I’d say in my words to others who shared similar views to my past self. Bridges are being built.”

I agree with my friend. I think that mentally bridging the gap to my own past can help me communicate better with others.

As it so happens, I recently had to write an essay as part of my application to Cherry Hill Seminary’s environmental leadership program. So I decided to write about my own winding path to environmental activism.

To be continued …

Previous Post

April 25, 2016

Limited Time Offer: Godless Paganism Free (with $5 S&H)

Next Post

May 11, 2016 Christianity as the Modern Pagan Scapegoat

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Ritual Scripts Theology Uncategorized

Select a Month January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What did Isaiah say about Egypt's future in his oracles?

Select your answer to see how you score.

It would rule Persia It would prosper It would be conquered It would conquer Israel