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The Environmental Vision of Thomas Merton: A Culture of the Land

Vernon Blair

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Published in The Environmental Vision Of Thomas Merton (Culture Of The Land)

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Thomas Merton (1915-1968) was a Trappist monk, poet, writer, and social activist. He is best known for his spiritual writings, but he also wrote extensively about the environment. Merton's environmental vision is based on the belief that humans are part of nature and that we have a responsibility to care for the Earth.

Thomas Merton was born in Prades, France, on January 31, 1915. His father was an artist and his mother was a devout Catholic. Merton's family moved to the United States when he was a child. He attended Columbia University and Cambridge University before converting to Catholicism and entering the Trappist monastery of Gethsemani in Kentucky.

Merton's environmental vision is based on the belief that humans are part of nature and that we have a responsibility to care for the Earth. He writes, "We are not outside of nature, but within it. We are part of the web of life, and our actions have consequences for the entire planet."

The Environmental Vision of Thomas Merton (Culture of the Land)

by Monica Weis

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Print length	:	213 pages

Merton believed that the environmental crisis is a spiritual crisis. He writes, "The destruction of the environment is a symptom of our own spiritual sickness. We have become alienated from nature, and we have lost our sense of place in the world."

Merton called for a "culture of the land" that would reconnect us to nature and teach us how to live in harmony with the Earth. He writes, "We need to develop a new way of thinking about the land, a way that sees it not as a commodity to be exploited, but as a sacred gift to be cherished."

Merton's environmental vision has had a profound influence on the environmental movement. His writings have inspired activists, scholars, and policymakers to work to protect the Earth. Merton's legacy is a reminder that we are all called to be stewards of the Earth.

Thomas Merton's environmental vision is a powerful call to action. He reminds us that we are all connected to the Earth and that we have a responsibility to care for it. Merton's vision of a "culture of the land" is a roadmap for a more just and sustainable world.

In these turbulent times, Merton's environmental vision is more relevant than ever. We are facing a climate crisis, a biodiversity crisis, and a pollution crisis. We need to make a change, and Merton's vision offers us a path forward.

Merton's environmental vision is not only about protecting the planet. It is also about protecting ourselves. We are all part of the web of life, and when we damage the Earth, we damage ourselves.

Merton's vision of a "culture of the land" is a vision of a world where we live in harmony with the Earth. It is a world where we respect the rights of all creatures, where we use resources wisely, and where we work to protect the planet for future generations.

Merton's vision is a difficult one, but it is one that we must strive for. If we want to create a more just and sustainable world, we need to change our way of thinking about the land. We need to develop a "culture of the land" that will reconnect us to nature and teach us how to live in harmony with the Earth.

Call to Action

We urge you to read Merton's writings on the environment. His words are a powerful call to action, and they can inspire us to make a difference. We also urge you to support organizations that are working to protect the Earth. Together, we can create a more just and sustainable world.

The Environmental Vision of Thomas Merton (Culture of the Land)

by Monica Weis

4.4 out of 5