Religious Leaders Committed to Protecting the Environment
Hamburg, Germany, June 11, 2016 (Newswire.com) - Representatives of diverse religious communities affirmed their commitment to sustainability at a World Environment Day interfaith service June 5 at the Church of Scientology Hamburg.
Each spoke of the urgent need to care for the environment and preserve our natural resources.
"The idea that one has a share in the planet and that one can and should help care for it may seem very large and, to some, quite beyond reality. But today what happens on the other side of the world, even so far away, can effect what happens in your own home."
L. Ron Hubbard, Founder of the Church of Scientology
The theme of this year’s World Environment Day was “zero tolerance for the illegal wildlife trade.” The website gives examples of the destruction of living species, illustrating the urgent need to stamp out this abuse: “Eco-crime hit a record high at up to $258 billion, outstripping the illegal trade in small arms, as international criminal gangs and militant groups profit from the plunder of Earth's resources. The booming illegal trade in wildlife products is eroding Earth's precious biodiversity, robbing us of our natural heritage and pushing whole species towards extinction.”
The website further encourages individuals and groups to band together to end this scourge, stating, “…we can reverse this trend. Countries around the world, the United Nations, many other international and national organizations, businesses, governments and key opinion leaders are all working together to raise awareness, enact and enforce stronger laws, and step up support to local communities’ efforts to stop the illegal trade in wildlife.”
In support of this commitment, Rev. Frank Busch of the Church of Scientology Hamburg spoke on the theme “Safeguard and Improve Your Environment,” from The Way to Happiness, the nonreligious common-sense moral code written by humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard. He pointed out that caring for our natural resources is a moral issue, quoting from the precept that reads, “The idea that one has a share in the planet and that one can and should help care for it may seem very large and, to some, quite beyond reality. But today what happens on the other side of the world, even so far away, can effect what happens in your own home.”
A religious leader from an Asian religious community spoke of the need to preserve the planet for our descendants. And the final minister spoke of the interdependencies of nature—the natural balance of forces. He pointed to manmade disasters that have arisen from our attempts to override the natural order.
Following the service, those attending were invited to visit the Public Information Center to watch the public service announcement and chapter of The Way to Happiness book-on-film on the precept “Help Take Care of the Planet.”
Source: ScientologyNews.org
