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Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life
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US Conference of Catholic Bishops
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National Religious Partnership for the Environment
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National Council of Churches of Christ
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Evangelical Environmental Network

Environmental Health and Safety in Workplace and Community

United Methodist Church, 1988, 2000

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God’s covenant with humanity affirms that God is involved in the healing of individuals (Proverbs 3:7-8) and includes the mandate to protect the community from dangers that threaten the health and safety of the people. At the beginning of Methodism, John Wesley provided medicine and medical treatment at no cost to the poor in London and Bristol. In addition to pioneering free dispensaries in England, Wesley emphasized prevention of illness. In his book Primitive Physic, he dealt with nutrition and hygiene, as well as treatment of the sick. The first Social Creed, adopted by the 1908 General Conference of The Methodist Episcopal Church, declared that workers must be protected "from dangerous machinery, occupational disease, injuries, and mortality," and that working conditions must be regulated to safeguard the physical and moral health of the community. Today as well, the church is called to declare that the health of every individual is part of community health, including safe and healthy conditions in places where people work. The church has a responsibility to pronounce clearly the implications of God’s law of love for human health. Where human life and health are at stake, economic gain must not take precedence.

Read the complete statement in the Environmental Anthology of Denominational Policy.

For more information on mainline Protestant perspectives on environmental health:

  • Other mainline Protestant denominations have made statements and policies on similar topics, including: Caring for Health, Toxics, Dioxin, and Nuclear Waste.  To view the Council's environmental health faith principles, click here.  
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STEWARDSHIP STORIES

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Protegiendo Nuestro Futuro (Protecting Our Future) --- Pesticide Safety Education Program

Catholic

Protegiendo Nuestro Futuro (Protecting Our Future) --- Pesticide Safety Education Program

National Catholic Rural Life Conference Des Moines, IA Educating farm workers in Yakima Valley, Washington ...

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Mainline Protestant

Jr. B.U.G.S. Help Kids Go Green

Manassas Church of the Brethern, Manassas, VA B.U.G.S are everywhere at Manassas Church of the Brethren in Manassas, VA. But the church isn’t infested with insects; rather it’s growing intergenerational green church program called B.U.G.S., which stands for Better Understanding of Green Stewardship.

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Transportation Equity Project

Catholic

Transportation Equity Project

Archdiocese of Detroit Detroit, MI When Cardinal Adam Maida of the Archdiocese of Detroit delivered his speech to a crowd of nearly 1,200 Catholics on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in 2001, he highlighted a number of the problems Detroit faces due to its inattention to mass transit issues: The lack of economic opportunities for inner-city residents (they cannot reach better jobs in the suburbs) A segregated city More traffic congestion Increased air pollution An inability to attract businesses to the city center Through the leadership of...

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CenterEdge Project

Catholic

CenterEdge Project

Connecticut Catholic Conference The CenterEdge Project emerged as a coalition building effort of the Connecticut Catholic Conference to tackle problems caused by Connecticut’s urban sprawl, especially the effects of sprawl on low-income communities and on water quality. The coalition is made up of religious, environmental, business, civil rights, educational, government and civic-minded organizations, as well as groups with a focus on housing and social services. One of the most important contributions of the CenterEdge project has been the publication of "Connecticut...

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Land Stewardship Committee

Catholic

Land Stewardship Committee

Mary Help of Christians Church Parkland, FL When the Mary Help of Christians Church in Parkland, Florida constructed its church, they also established ...

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