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An Exposition and Analysis of the Factors Which Influence the Relationship Between Evangelicals and Climate Change

Marino, Costanza
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Abstract
Religious belief is a widely influential and guiding factor within politics. It has already been acknowledged that our faith, or lack thereof, plays a part in guiding an individual's political beliefs and activity. Further, the interpretation of a specific religious belief plays a greater role in dictating an individual's political beliefs, which raise the following question: in the case of Evangelicalism in relation to Climate Change, how does the interpretation of religious belief differ, and why does it? Scholars’ position on evaluating the significance of the interpretation of religious belief is guided firstly by the interpretation of the dominion mandate, which is the supposed command of God to Adam in the Book of Genesis, scripture used by Evangelicals, wherein He gives him dominion over the earth. The interpretation of the dominion mandate is a factor which is further influenced by two ulterior elements: race and political affiliation. The scholarly debate is shaped by how these three factors play out, and can be narrowed down to whether or not one interprets the dominion mandate as a right or as an obligation to our planet. By investigating and analyzing the schools of thought outlined by previous scholars, and by examining the effect of race and political affiliation on the interpretation of the dominion mandate, it can be determined that those within Evangelicalism who determine the dominion mandate as a right are more prone to be Climate Change deniers and skeptics. On the other hand, those within Evangelicalism who determine the dominion mandate as a responsibility toward the planet are more prone to recognize Climate Change and be pro-environmental activists. The position taken is influenced by both race and political affiliation, which have been evidenced to be crucial factors which determine an individual's political outlook. Evidence has been found demonstrating that Black or Black Evangelicals typically identify themselves as Democrats, and thus are more prone to recognize Climate Change. Whilst, Caucasian or White American Evangelicals typically identify themselves as Republicans, and thus are more prone to be Climate Change skeptics and even deniers. Their race and political affiliation give form to their interpretation of biblical scripture in regards to the dominion mandate. The interpretation of religious belief, in the case of Evangelicalism in relation to Climate Change, has been evidenced to differ due to these two factors, race and political affiliation, which have been given evidence to outline the very interpretation of the dominion mandate, which, in turn, is identified as the primary distinguishing element in driving an individual to believe in Climate Change, or deny its existence. These findings further illuminate the complexity of the relationship between religion and politics. They demonstrate how religious belief is in practice an influential and guiding factor in regards to shaping an individual's political beliefs and activity. Further, they show how the interpretation of that religious belief can in turn shape the individual's relationship with politics. We find that the relationship between religion and politics is not as black and white as one may have thought and their dynamics are constantly shifting.
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Thesis (B.A. in Political Science, Minor in Creative Writing)--John Cabot University, Fall 2020.
Date
2020
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Keywords
Christianity and politics, Climatic changes, Human ecology Religious aspects
Citation
Marino, Costanza. "An Exposition and Analysis of the Factors Which Influence the Relationship Between Evangelicals and Climate Change". BA Thesis, John Cabot University, Rome, Italy. 2020.
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