Dark Green Religion: Nature Spirituality and the Planetary Future

Dark Green Religion: Nature Spirituality and the Planetary Future (2009)

Taylor, Bron. Dark Green Religion: Nature Spirituality and the Planetary Future. Berkeley, California: University of California Press, 2009.

In this innovative and deeply felt work, Bron Taylor examines the evolution of “green religions” in North America and beyond: spiritual practices that hold nature as sacred and have in many cases replaced traditional religions. Examining a wide range of individuals and groups—environmentalists, surfers, artists, writers, filmmakers, politicians, and scientists—Taylor addresses a central theoretical question: How can environmentally oriented, spiritually motivated individuals and movements be understood as religious when many of them reject religious and supernatural worldviews? The “dark” of the title further expands this idea by emphasizing the depth of believers’ passion and also suggesting a potential shadow side: besides uplifting and inspiring, such religion might mislead, deceive, or in some cases precipitate violence. This book provides a fascinating global tour of the green religious phenomenon, enabling readers to evaluate its worldwide emergence and to assess its role in a critically important religious revolution. (Text adapted from University of California Press website.)

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

• Introduction and Readers Guide
• Chapter 1 ~ Introducing Religion and Dark Green Religion
• Chapter 2 ~ Dark Green Religion [types and exemplars]
• Chapter 3 ~ Dark Green Religion in North America
• Chapter 4 ~ Radical Environmentalism
• Chapter 5 ~ Surfing Spirituality
• Chapter 6 ~ Globalization with Predators & Moving Pictures
• Chapter 7 ~ Globalization in the Arts, Sciences & Letters
• Chapter 8 ~ Terrapolitan Earth Religion
• Chapter 9 ~ Conclusion: Dark Green Religion and the Planetary Future
• Afterward on Terminology
• Appendix A: Henry David Thoreau