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Evangelical
Perspectives on Sustainable Economies
WORLD EVANGELICAL FELLOWSHIP
THEOLOGICAL COMMISSION/AU SABLE FORUM
"Evangelical Christianity and the
Environment"
26 - 31 August 1992
SUMMARIZING COMMITTEE REPORT
(Excerpts)
II. The praxis of sustainable
development
2.1 We affirm the concept of sustainable development,
as that which seeks to provide an environment
that promotes a life of dignity and well-being
compatible with the continuation and integrity
of supporting ecosystems. The concept includes
the concern that material blessings should be
available to successive generations as a fundamental
God-given right. We note that beneath this concern
lie absolutes of justice, equity and human responsibility
which are not always expressed. Sustainable development
cannot depend on the changing values and aspirations
of succeeding generations, which may be in conflict
with each other and with the divine will.
Population
2.2 We noted the importance of the issue of population
as part of care for the environment. This is an
issue of culture rather than technology. Current
methods of assessing the value of the environment
fail to make adequate allowance for the value
of the environment where it provides livelihoods.
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We would urge
a culture specific approach of promoting child-spacing,
with due regard for the sanctity of human life,
rather than the one-solution approach (of contraceptive
techniques or abortion) advocated by some. We
welcome the suggestion of providing for new parents
non-contributory old age pensions, or life insurance
for their progeny, to remove the incentive to
have many children to provide for old age.
Over-consumption
2.3 Over-consumption in the North can have a
debilitating impact on countries of the South.
Consumption of non-renewable resources in the
North should be significantly reduced, by increasing
recycling and reuse of materials, and by encouraging
transition to less material-intensive technologies.
Poverty and degradation of creation
2.4 The evidence of growing numbers of poor people
in the world is unmistakable, as is the evidence
of the worsening condition of the creation contributing
to and in part caused by poverty. We recognize
that a fundamental cause of poverty is the sinful
nature of humankind which manifests itself through
violence, greed and self-interest overriding the
God-given mandate to meet the needs of both the
human and natural creation, and specifically of
the poor. Human beings are interdependent with
the rest of creation but distinctly unique in
that they are made in the image of God. We believe
that it is of equal importance when addressing
the needs of creation to deal adequately with
needs of the poor, and specifically to address
world hunger.
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