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Scientific paper

Text

A Christian Criticism of the Society of Growth

Author:
Martin KOPP

Entry type:
Scientific paper

Year of publication:
2014

Publishers:
Degrowth Conference Leipzig 2014

Language:
English

Abstract: Does the Christian faith question the society of growth? This short paper argues that it indeed contradicts its productivist social imaginary. First, a renewed theology of creation opposes the anthropocentric view of humankind rightfully ruling and exploiting nature. Second, the evangelical ethics of sobriety and sharing is in conflict with the materialistic view of life. Through these two criticisms, this paper sets milestones towards a Christian “objection de croissance”, or a Christian criticism of the society of growth. This mental – one could even say spiritual – resistance is a prime and necessary condition towards a day to day concrete resistance, not to speak of a complete change of our growth-based system.
Keywords: Christianity; ecotheology; sobriety; degrowth
Narrative step: Facing the current crisis: critique & resistance

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