Worshiping “Mother Earth”

According to The Guardian, a new Australian survey revealed that many young people on the island continent reject the idea that humans have the right to use nature for their own benefit (June 22, 2023). The survey identified how different generations view environmental issues. A majority of Baby Boomers, born in the decades immediately following World War II, believe humans take priority over other creatures, while nearly 80 percent of Gen Z—generally those in their teens and early twenties—feel human benefit does not outweigh concerns about the environment or the needs of other species.

Older generations were raised with a mindset that human beings should freely use the earth and its resources for their benefit. By itself, this is not a wrong concept, but it does require wisdom. Taken to the extreme and without foresight, this perspective can result in exploitation and degradation of the environment. In contrast, younger generations are more sensitive to the impact of human actions on nature. Again, by itself, this is not a bad thing—God commissioned Adam and Eve to be wise stewards and to “tend and keep” the environment around them (Genesis 2:15). However, younger generations today are deluged with all kinds of environmental propaganda. As the Guardian article mentions, many companies are “greenwashing,” making exaggerated or false marketing claims about their environmental activities or standards, to be seen as fitting the green agenda.

As discerning people understand, the truth is often somewhere between the extremes. God made the earth for the benefit of humans (Genesis 1:26–28), but not for mankind to destroy. As society moves away from the worship of God, it moves in the opposite direction—to the worship of false gods, including “Mother Earth.” The Apostle Paul observed mankind’s proclivity to exchange “the truth of God for the lie,” and to worship and serve “the creature rather than the Creator” (Romans 1:18–26). Without God’s instructions, we lack balance on most issues. Man truly is the pinnacle of God’s creation and has priority over all other elements of that creation. And the earth can be used to benefit mankind, but that use should be in a way that preserves creation for future generations. Jesus Christ will bring such knowledge when He returns. To learn more about this exciting future, read “A Time of Restoring.”