----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, September 07, 2009 12:40 PM
Subject: Religious leaders tackling climate change
The Editor,
The Guardian,
Sir,
Religious leaders tackling
climate change
I welcome Lord May's call to religious leaders for
mobilising people to take action on climate change with the aid of community
cooperation ('Leading scientist call on religiousleaders to tackle climate
change' Guardian 7 September). Moreover, they have a further opportunity,
for which they are uniquely placed, to inspire their followers not just to take
behavioural or political action, but to reassess their life priorities and
deepest held values as an intrinsic part of their religious practices - in order
to sustain such action in the long term and benefit their own personal
growth.
In Madeleine Bunting's linked article ('My battle to cut
carbon: a baffling, frustrating path to a more honest life' 7 September), she
mentions the values of honesty and authenticity for overcoming denial, as
compelling motivations; these can also be tools for religious leaders to utilise
in place of passing judgement and reactionary punishment, which Lord
May very unwisely advocates, in my view.
Yours
faithfully,
Jim Scott,
chairperson,
SAVE OUR WORLD
14 Richborne Terrace,
London SW8 1AU
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