[MCN] does christianity support conservation of other living things

Sun Dec 7 12:43:37 EST 2025

AI Overview
Yes, mainstream Christian theology strongly supports the conservation of other living things, viewing it as a God-given duty of stewardship, rooted in scriptures like Genesis (humans as caretakers) and Psalms (Earth belongs to the Lord). While some interpretations focus on "dominion" as exploitation, most Christians now see it as responsibility to care for creation, recognizing all species' inherent value beyond human use and working to preserve biodiversity as part of their faith. 
Scriptural basis for conservation
Genesis <https://www.google.com/search?q=Genesis&sca_esv=b60df8e5e0aa07e8&ei=bLs1aZfQJJif0PEP8P6ZiAY&ved=2ahUKEwjJqJrmgqyRAxUxODQIHQ9uOecQgK4QegQIAxAB&uact=5&oq=does+christianity+support+conservation+of+other+living+things&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiPWRvZXMgY2hyaXN0aWFuaXR5IHN1cHBvcnQgY29uc2VydmF0aW9uIG9mIG90aGVyIGxpdmluZyB0aGluZ3NI8bICUN0oWLGrAnAHeAGQAQCYAZwBoAGaO6oBBTE5LjQ2uAEDyAEA-AEBmAJAoAKlNsICChAAGLADGNYEGEfCAgsQABiABBiRAhiKBcICDhAAGIAEGLEDGIMBGIoFwgILEAAYgAQYsQMYgwHCAg4QLhiABBixAxiDARiKBcICCxAuGIAEGLEDGIMBwgIFEAAYgATCAgsQLhiABBjRAxjHAcICDhAuGIAEGLEDGNEDGMcBwgIQEAAYgAQYkQIYigUYRhj5AcICCBAAGIAEGLEDwgIREC4YgAQYsQMYgwEYxwEYrwHCAhEQLhiABBixAxjRAxiDARjHAcICKhAAGIAEGJECGIoFGEYY-QEYlwUYjAUY3QQYRhj5ARj0Axj1Axj2A9gBAcICEBAuGIAEGLEDGEMYgwEYigXCAgoQLhiABBhDGIoFwgIIEC4YgAQYsQPCAhMQLhiABBixAxjRAxhDGMcBGIoFwgIKEAAYgAQYQxiKBcICCBAAGIAEGMkDwgIIEAAYgAQYkgPCAgsQLhiABBiRAhiKBcICBhAAGBYYHsICCBAAGBYYChgewgILEAAYgAQYhgMYigXCAggQABiABBiiBMICBRAhGKABwgIFECEYnwXCAgUQIRirApgDAIgGAZAGCLoGBggBEAEYE5IHBTIyLjQyoAfHzgOyBwUxNS40MrgH_zXCBwkwLjMxLjMxLjLIB9MBgAgA&sclient=gws-wiz-serp&mstk=AUtExfABkDcB1meUnsBKEey0-v3ZUWmTLyqcrahTlBXo2BsMwODHSnHhPxXXiv7QIaW5-p_EjISaJaraZ-jZDNT21_cNZvgC5FwDIwsnb2zY0V9MzTth0yS9ZE1eqA3WpmzDmzdnziNZFLSG-UeOf3vQ4AEXKsIwCXgfHDNnPV44xBNqGSo3DZDjgciWLtAqwPU7UOps&csui=3> 1:28 & 2:15: Humans are commanded to "subdue" and "work and care for" the Garden, establishing a role as caretakers.
Psalm 24:1 <https://www.google.com/search?q=Psalm+24%3A1&sca_esv=b60df8e5e0aa07e8&ei=bLs1aZfQJJif0PEP8P6ZiAY&ved=2ahUKEwjJqJrmgqyRAxUxODQIHQ9uOecQgK4QegQIAxAD&uact=5&oq=does+christianity+support+conservation+of+other+living+things&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiPWRvZXMgY2hyaXN0aWFuaXR5IHN1cHBvcnQgY29uc2VydmF0aW9uIG9mIG90aGVyIGxpdmluZyB0aGluZ3NI8bICUN0oWLGrAnAHeAGQAQCYAZwBoAGaO6oBBTE5LjQ2uAEDyAEA-AEBmAJAoAKlNsICChAAGLADGNYEGEfCAgsQABiABBiRAhiKBcICDhAAGIAEGLEDGIMBGIoFwgILEAAYgAQYsQMYgwHCAg4QLhiABBixAxiDARiKBcICCxAuGIAEGLEDGIMBwgIFEAAYgATCAgsQLhiABBjRAxjHAcICDhAuGIAEGLEDGNEDGMcBwgIQEAAYgAQYkQIYigUYRhj5AcICCBAAGIAEGLEDwgIREC4YgAQYsQMYgwEYxwEYrwHCAhEQLhiABBixAxjRAxiDARjHAcICKhAAGIAEGJECGIoFGEYY-QEYlwUYjAUY3QQYRhj5ARj0Axj1Axj2A9gBAcICEBAuGIAEGLEDGEMYgwEYigXCAgoQLhiABBhDGIoFwgIIEC4YgAQYsQPCAhMQLhiABBixAxjRAxhDGMcBGIoFwgIKEAAYgAQYQxiKBcICCBAAGIAEGMkDwgIIEAAYgAQYkgPCAgsQLhiABBiRAhiKBcICBhAAGBYYHsICCBAAGBYYChgewgILEAAYgAQYhgMYigXCAggQABiABBiiBMICBRAhGKABwgIFECEYnwXCAgUQIRirApgDAIgGAZAGCLoGBggBEAEYE5IHBTIyLjQyoAfHzgOyBwUxNS40MrgH_zXCBwkwLjMxLjMxLjLIB9MBgAgA&sclient=gws-wiz-serp&mstk=AUtExfABkDcB1meUnsBKEey0-v3ZUWmTLyqcrahTlBXo2BsMwODHSnHhPxXXiv7QIaW5-p_EjISaJaraZ-jZDNT21_cNZvgC5FwDIwsnb2zY0V9MzTth0yS9ZE1eqA3WpmzDmzdnziNZFLSG-UeOf3vQ4AEXKsIwCXgfHDNnPV44xBNqGSo3DZDjgciWLtAqwPU7UOps&csui=3>: "The Earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it" emphasizes God's ownership and the fullness of creation's value.
Romans 8:19-22 <https://www.google.com/search?q=Romans+8%3A19-22&sca_esv=b60df8e5e0aa07e8&ei=bLs1aZfQJJif0PEP8P6ZiAY&ved=2ahUKEwjJqJrmgqyRAxUxODQIHQ9uOecQgK4QegQIAxAF&uact=5&oq=does+christianity+support+conservation+of+other+living+things&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiPWRvZXMgY2hyaXN0aWFuaXR5IHN1cHBvcnQgY29uc2VydmF0aW9uIG9mIG90aGVyIGxpdmluZyB0aGluZ3NI8bICUN0oWLGrAnAHeAGQAQCYAZwBoAGaO6oBBTE5LjQ2uAEDyAEA-AEBmAJAoAKlNsICChAAGLADGNYEGEfCAgsQABiABBiRAhiKBcICDhAAGIAEGLEDGIMBGIoFwgILEAAYgAQYsQMYgwHCAg4QLhiABBixAxiDARiKBcICCxAuGIAEGLEDGIMBwgIFEAAYgATCAgsQLhiABBjRAxjHAcICDhAuGIAEGLEDGNEDGMcBwgIQEAAYgAQYkQIYigUYRhj5AcICCBAAGIAEGLEDwgIREC4YgAQYsQMYgwEYxwEYrwHCAhEQLhiABBixAxjRAxiDARjHAcICKhAAGIAEGJECGIoFGEYY-QEYlwUYjAUY3QQYRhj5ARj0Axj1Axj2A9gBAcICEBAuGIAEGLEDGEMYgwEYigXCAgoQLhiABBhDGIoFwgIIEC4YgAQYsQPCAhMQLhiABBixAxjRAxhDGMcBGIoFwgIKEAAYgAQYQxiKBcICCBAAGIAEGMkDwgIIEAAYgAQYkgPCAgsQLhiABBiRAhiKBcICBhAAGBYYHsICCBAAGBYYChgewgILEAAYgAQYhgMYigXCAggQABiABBiiBMICBRAhGKABwgIFECEYnwXCAgUQIRirApgDAIgGAZAGCLoGBggBEAEYE5IHBTIyLjQyoAfHzgOyBwUxNS40MrgH_zXCBwkwLjMxLjMxLjLIB9MBgAgA&sclient=gws-wiz-serp&mstk=AUtExfABkDcB1meUnsBKEey0-v3ZUWmTLyqcrahTlBXo2BsMwODHSnHhPxXXiv7QIaW5-p_EjISaJaraZ-jZDNT21_cNZvgC5FwDIwsnb2zY0V9MzTth0yS9ZE1eqA3WpmzDmzdnziNZFLSG-UeOf3vQ4AEXKsIwCXgfHDNnPV44xBNqGSo3DZDjgciWLtAqwPU7UOps&csui=3>: Creation "groans" and awaits redemption, highlighting its interconnectedness with humanity.
Colossians 1:16 <https://www.google.com/search?q=Colossians+1%3A16&sca_esv=b60df8e5e0aa07e8&ei=bLs1aZfQJJif0PEP8P6ZiAY&ved=2ahUKEwjJqJrmgqyRAxUxODQIHQ9uOecQgK4QegQIAxAH&uact=5&oq=does+christianity+support+conservation+of+other+living+things&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiPWRvZXMgY2hyaXN0aWFuaXR5IHN1cHBvcnQgY29uc2VydmF0aW9uIG9mIG90aGVyIGxpdmluZyB0aGluZ3NI8bICUN0oWLGrAnAHeAGQAQCYAZwBoAGaO6oBBTE5LjQ2uAEDyAEA-AEBmAJAoAKlNsICChAAGLADGNYEGEfCAgsQABiABBiRAhiKBcICDhAAGIAEGLEDGIMBGIoFwgILEAAYgAQYsQMYgwHCAg4QLhiABBixAxiDARiKBcICCxAuGIAEGLEDGIMBwgIFEAAYgATCAgsQLhiABBjRAxjHAcICDhAuGIAEGLEDGNEDGMcBwgIQEAAYgAQYkQIYigUYRhj5AcICCBAAGIAEGLEDwgIREC4YgAQYsQMYgwEYxwEYrwHCAhEQLhiABBixAxjRAxiDARjHAcICKhAAGIAEGJECGIoFGEYY-QEYlwUYjAUY3QQYRhj5ARj0Axj1Axj2A9gBAcICEBAuGIAEGLEDGEMYgwEYigXCAgoQLhiABBhDGIoFwgIIEC4YgAQYsQPCAhMQLhiABBixAxjRAxhDGMcBGIoFwgIKEAAYgAQYQxiKBcICCBAAGIAEGMkDwgIIEAAYgAQYkgPCAgsQLhiABBiRAhiKBcICBhAAGBYYHsICCBAAGBYYChgewgILEAAYgAQYhgMYigXCAggQABiABBiiBMICBRAhGKABwgIFECEYnwXCAgUQIRirApgDAIgGAZAGCLoGBggBEAEYE5IHBTIyLjQyoAfHzgOyBwUxNS40MrgH_zXCBwkwLjMxLjMxLjLIB9MBgAgA&sclient=gws-wiz-serp&mstk=AUtExfABkDcB1meUnsBKEey0-v3ZUWmTLyqcrahTlBXo2BsMwODHSnHhPxXXiv7QIaW5-p_EjISaJaraZ-jZDNT21_cNZvgC5FwDIwsnb2zY0V9MzTth0yS9ZE1eqA3WpmzDmzdnziNZFLSG-UeOf3vQ4AEXKsIwCXgfHDNnPV44xBNqGSo3DZDjgciWLtAqwPU7UOps&csui=3>: "All things in heaven and on earth were created through him and for him" shows Christ's role in sustaining all creation. 
Key Christian environmental concepts
Stewardship: The belief that humans are managers, not owners, of God's creation, responsible for its care.
Imago Dei <https://www.google.com/search?q=Imago+Dei&sca_esv=b60df8e5e0aa07e8&ei=bLs1aZfQJJif0PEP8P6ZiAY&ved=2ahUKEwjJqJrmgqyRAxUxODQIHQ9uOecQgK4QegQIBRAC&uact=5&oq=does+christianity+support+conservation+of+other+living+things&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiPWRvZXMgY2hyaXN0aWFuaXR5IHN1cHBvcnQgY29uc2VydmF0aW9uIG9mIG90aGVyIGxpdmluZyB0aGluZ3NI8bICUN0oWLGrAnAHeAGQAQCYAZwBoAGaO6oBBTE5LjQ2uAEDyAEA-AEBmAJAoAKlNsICChAAGLADGNYEGEfCAgsQABiABBiRAhiKBcICDhAAGIAEGLEDGIMBGIoFwgILEAAYgAQYsQMYgwHCAg4QLhiABBixAxiDARiKBcICCxAuGIAEGLEDGIMBwgIFEAAYgATCAgsQLhiABBjRAxjHAcICDhAuGIAEGLEDGNEDGMcBwgIQEAAYgAQYkQIYigUYRhj5AcICCBAAGIAEGLEDwgIREC4YgAQYsQMYgwEYxwEYrwHCAhEQLhiABBixAxjRAxiDARjHAcICKhAAGIAEGJECGIoFGEYY-QEYlwUYjAUY3QQYRhj5ARj0Axj1Axj2A9gBAcICEBAuGIAEGLEDGEMYgwEYigXCAgoQLhiABBhDGIoFwgIIEC4YgAQYsQPCAhMQLhiABBixAxjRAxhDGMcBGIoFwgIKEAAYgAQYQxiKBcICCBAAGIAEGMkDwgIIEAAYgAQYkgPCAgsQLhiABBiRAhiKBcICBhAAGBYYHsICCBAAGBYYChgewgILEAAYgAQYhgMYigXCAggQABiABBiiBMICBRAhGKABwgIFECEYnwXCAgUQIRirApgDAIgGAZAGCLoGBggBEAEYE5IHBTIyLjQyoAfHzgOyBwUxNS40MrgH_zXCBwkwLjMxLjMxLjLIB9MBgAgA&sclient=gws-wiz-serp&mstk=AUtExfABkDcB1meUnsBKEey0-v3ZUWmTLyqcrahTlBXo2BsMwODHSnHhPxXXiv7QIaW5-p_EjISaJaraZ-jZDNT21_cNZvgC5FwDIwsnb2zY0V9MzTth0yS9ZE1eqA3WpmzDmzdnziNZFLSG-UeOf3vQ4AEXKsIwCXgfHDNnPV44xBNqGSo3DZDjgciWLtAqwPU7UOps&csui=3> (Image of God): Reflecting God's character includes showing care for His creation.
Intrinsic Value: Every species has value from God, not just for its usefulness to humans, prompting action against extinction.
Interconnectedness: Humanity and nature share a common destiny and spiritual significance. 
Modern Christian environmentalism
Organizations like A Rocha <https://arocha.org/> and movements among evangelicals (e.g., Young Evangelicals for Climate Action <https://yecaction.org/>) actively promote conservation as a core part of Christian mission.
Surveys show a strong majority of religiously affiliated Americans agree God gave humans a duty to protect the Earth. 
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“That social influences shape every person’s  practices, judgments and beliefs  is a truism to which anyone will readily assent. …. For psychologists, group pressure upon the minds of individuals raises a host of questions they would like to investigate in detail.

“How, and to what extent, do social forces constrain people’s opinions and attitudes? This question is especially pertinent in our day.”

Solomon E. Asch. Opinions and Social Pressure.

Scientific American. November 1955

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“Thirty-five years ago, Yale psychologist Irving Janis published an essay in the Yale Alumni Magazine explaining how a group of intelligent people working together to solve a problem can sometimes arrive at the worst possible answer.”

"Members consider loyalty to the group the highest form of morality.”

“Nobody today says, My area is groupthink. But what emerged subsequent to groupthink was an area called "judgment and decision making," which is one of the most important areas in all of psychology. In fact Danny Kahneman won the 2002 Nobel Prize based on his research into how rational people make irrational decisions.

Philip Zimbardo ‘59PhD  Professor Emeritus of Psychology, Stanford University

https://yalealumnimagazine.com/articles/1947/a-brief-history-of-groupthink

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