Grounding Religion A Field Guide to the Study of Religion and Ecology

Now in its second edition, Grounding Religion explores relationships between the environment and religious beliefs and practices. Established scholars introduce students to the ways in which religion shapes human–earth relations, surveying a series of questions about how the religious world influences and is influenced by ecological systems. Case studies, discussion questions, and further reading enrich students’ experience. This second edition features updated content, including revisions of every chapter and new material on natural disasters, gender and sexuality, race and ethnicity, climate change, food, technology, and hope and despair. An excellent text for undergraduates and graduates alike, it offers an expansive overview of the academic field of religion and ecology as it has emerged in the past fifty years.

Notes on contributors Introduction to the second edition Acknowledgements Introduction Whitney A. Bauman, Richard Bohannon, and Kevin J. O’Brien 1 Religion: what is it, who gets to decide, and why does it matter? Whitney A. Bauman, Richard Bohannon, and Kevin J. O’Brien 2 Case Study: religion and the twenty-first century North American anti-extraction movement Joseph Witt 3 Ecology: what is it, who gets to decide, and why does it matter? Whitney A. Bauman, Richard Bohannon, and Kevin J. O’Brien 4 Case Study: religion and disaster: the Merapi volcano eruption Najiyah Martiam 5 Gender and queers studies Whitney A. Bauman and Heather Eaton 6 Race and ethnicity Carol Wayne White 7 The power of place Brian G. Campbell 8 Globalization Lois Ann Lorentzen 9 Climate change Laurel Kearns 10 Food Whitney Sanford 11 Animals Dave Aftandilian 12 Technology Noreen Herzfeld 13 Justice Richard Bohannon and Kevin J. O’Brien 14 Sustainability Willis Jenkins 15 Economics Laura M. Hartman 16 Conclusion: despair, hope, and action Whitney A. Bauman and Kevin J. O’Brien Index

Whitney A. Bauman is Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Florida International University, Florida, USA. Richard Bohannon is a cartographer and teaches in the Geography Department at St. Cloud State University, Minnesota, USA. Kevin J. O’Brien is Associate Professor of Religion and Dean of Humanities at Pacific Lutheran University, Washington, USA.