How will you take care of the different elements of nature?
Give your views
Answers
Answer:
From the very beginning humans have had a mutual relationship with the natural world that satisfied their needs and with the Creator as Source and Giver of life. Perhaps the most ancient of the names people gave to the most observable and basic gifts of nature were the four elements held in sacred regard: earth, air, fire and water. Primitive and thoughtful people observed that these were indispensable for life; hence, the One who provided them was worshipped, striving to build or restore a sense of environmental awareness, a need that has risen in our own day as we experience a world population explosion. In the mid-1900s the population was about two billion people. In the beginning of the 21st century, it has risen to eight billion people. The effect is obvious. The need to change our patterns of distribution is enormous and ecological awareness an inevitable demand.
We know something about the impact of ecological factors and faith practices from many ancient sources and may be most familiar with the Hebrew Scripture accounts. The issues of care for the natural world are not new to us, nor are the links with our relationship with the Creator. Among the Hebrew people, for example, the Creator of Earth was honored and recognized with celebrations of gratitude for nature’s gifts.
Four major categories named these gifts: Earth, air, fire and water. Some examples identify the significance of these gifts both in their ordinary lives and in their recognition of the gifts of God. In recognizing Earth, the people fought for and claimed the land upon which they made their home as God’s inheritance. They sensed the value of the pure, clean air that allowed them to breathe and their crops and herds to flourish. Air provided a welcome coolness in the heat and could be warmed by sun or fire. Their boats moved more swiftly in a strong wind. Fire was another essential gift used to burn the sacred offerings to honor the Source of Life. The column of fire led them to the Promised Land by night, as did the cloud of moist air by day. Earth also provided places to hold the water and the fish essential for survival, for food and for industry as people traded for other necessities. These four sacred elements were honored not only by the Hebrews, but also in many other a safer and more productive place for all people, not only the privileged minority. The situation calls for commitment from everyone. If one is searching for ways to improve his or her contributions, they will readily locate them in many responsible publications. Most of the best organizations have excellent Web sites on crucial issues. For those who use the Internet, a few of the reliable organizations include: