From Greening to Meaning: Understanding the Content of Catholic Attitudes towards the Ecological Crisis

The contribution of faith organisations to public discourse on the ecological crisis appears be intensifying, leading some conjecture that Christians are becoming more concerned with environment. In social science research, this observation is generally understood as greening religion hypothesis. Empirical studies have tried confirm hypothesis for over three decades, but returned same, negative results. paper, we argue ill-fated preoccupation quantifying extent Christian environmental concern has overlooked substantive investigation how environmentally engaged think, feel about, and perform relationship between Christianity purpose study was investigate attitudes within a parish community. We surveyed 254 parishioners in Catholic diocese Salford, U.K. used cluster analysis identify groups sample who exhibited especially pro-environmental attitudes. then conducted regression relationships individuals’ beliefs number actions they performed. found that, one hand, belief importance caring environment does not result being ecologically active, consistent existing findings literature. On other however, care one’s own religious practice results These point need much subtler considers precise meaning parishioners. conclude recommendations further can generate detailed hypotheses from greater level detail afforded by study.