Ecotheology From Youth Environmental Attitudes: Possibilities for Religious Education

Abstract

Eco-theologians vary in their eco-theological views according to their presuppositions and theological materials. These varieties of doing eco-theology assume that human activities and technologies which breed environmental crises are not value neutral. The build-up of this moral appreciation coupled with the urgent nature of the climate emergency makes ecological justice an urgent priority in the last 50 years. This paper reviews the attributes of Kalikhasang Balaan as an eco-theological view of young Filipinos through content analysis of a Christian environmentalism model drawn from young Filipino informants in a previous study. Young eco-theological views are known to follow theocentric, creation-centered ethical perspectives. Doing eco-theology in this respect highlights the role of God, the goodness of nature, and Christian stewardship as three key poles to guide students’ eco-theological reflection. Implications of kalikhasang balaan for Religious Education are discussed briefly.