Date: Wed, 09 Jan 2008 09:37:45 +1100 From: Jonathan Marshall <Jonathan.Marshall@uts.edu.au> Subject: Re: [Air-L] Religious Dimension of Sustainable Development To: air-l@listserv.aoir.org Message-ID: <f523dac4bd56b.478495e9@uts.edu.au> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Hello Jon and everyone, Apologies for posting this to the list without further clarification. My intent was simply to inquire if there is anyone in the AOIR who is doing internet research on religious factors in sustainable development. I am the editor of the e-newsletter. As we all know, religion is a complex and controversial topic. I use "religion" in the general sense of a personal relationship with God by anyone who believes (as I do) that there is a God. There are many religious traditions and many ways to be "religious." Spirituality may be a better term to use. My lack of clarity about what "religion" simply reflects the difficulty of finding any consensus on what it means precisely for each person. There is "religion" (or "spirituality") and there are religious traditions that eventually become "religious institutions." My thesis is simply that these religious institutions have enormous influence on many people, and such influence should be taken into account when planning, monitoring, and evaluating international development projects such as the UN "Millennium Development Goals." But I cannot find evidence that it is actually taken into account in any systematic manner, and I was hoping someone here can point me to internet resources on "religion & sustainable development." With this, I have already told you more than I know. Again, please accept my apology for posting this to the listserv without adequate explanation. Hope we agree that ignorance is not a good excuse to refrain from asking honest questions. Jon, or anyone who thinks you can help me, please contact me off-list. Best wishes for a good 2008, Luis LTG214B@verizon.net