A lecture by Rev. Michael Dowd:

Ecology Must Be the Heart of Theology

Friday, 18 May 2018, 7:00-8:30pm

Science and religion are not enemies; indeed they must work together if humanity is to survive the 21st century. Given our impact on Earth’s climate, the seas and other species, humanity is facing “the Great Reckoning” that can also be “the Great Homecoming,” as our prodigal species comes home to reality.

This presentation focuses on points of agreement held in common by tens of millions of religious and non-religious people across the globe. It will inspire and encourage you in the face of changing climate and other environmental and societal challenges.

Sustainability Action Network seeks to facilitate discourse that leads to Action towards an ecologically sustainable Earth. Michael Dowd brings a unique and compelling perspective into issues of faith, science and our future.

Friday May 18 7:00- 8:30PM

Wakarusa Wetlands Discovery Center

1365 N 1250 Rd, Lawrence, KS 66046-9618

Tickets available at: https://ecologyandtheology.brownpapertickets.com

Ecology+Theology

A science-based, deep-time big picture is vital for staying sane and sober in chaotic and contracting times. An evidential “dark optimism” can help us accept what is inevitable, avoid what is futile, and be a blessing to friends, family, and neighbors in a difficult and uncertain world.

The techno-fetish religion of growth everlasting was never sustainable. We tolerated it is because religion has been asleep at the wheel for centuries owing to idolatry of the written word, idolatry of the otherworldly, and idolatry of beliefs.

Anthropocentrism led us to defile primary reality — the climate, forests, soils, seas, and life upon which we depend. And now we are in the early stages of the Great Reckoning. The good news is that this may also be the Great Homecoming — the prodigal species coming home to Reality. By shifting from human-centered to life-centered measures of progress and success we can, once again, become integral members of the community of life.

By honoring the evolutionary significance of religion and the religious significance of science, we can experience a deep and profound love of life, trust in death, and passion for posterity. At the intersection of science, inspiration, and sustainability we find that ‘reality is divine’ and ‘ecology must be the heart of theology.’ Such a pro-future sacred realism clarifies our predicament and our way forward.                                                                                                                               MD

Rev. Michael Dowd is a bestselling eco-theologian and pro-science, pro-future ‘evangelist’ whose work has been featured in The New York Times, LA Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Newsweek, Discover, and on television nationally.

His book, Thank God for Evolution, was endorsed by 6 Nobel Prize-winning scientists, noted skeptics, and by religious leaders across the spectrum. Michael has delivered two TEDx talks, a program at the United Nations, and he and his wife, science writer and climate activist, Connie Barlow, have spoken to some 2,500 groups across North America since 2002.

He has also conducted an online conversation series: “The Future Is Calling Us to Greatness. Rev. Dowd’s entire body of “deep sustainability” text, audio, and video resources are accessible here and herehttp://thegreatstory.org/new.html