1. Respect for the Earth: Caring for God’s Creation Chapter 9
Mr. Garcia
Religion 10

2. 1. Why is care for the earth a requirement of Christian faith?
Human dignity calls us to reflect the caring relationship that God has with creation. Also, in our world of interdependent relationships, respecting our sisters and brothers—including future generations—requires respecting the earth.
2. Define stewardship.
The responsibility that people have to respect and care for all creation.
3. Write a paragraph about how cleaner air, more open spaces, greater fuel economy, and preservation of forests might affect human life and dignity.
Answer will vary.

3. 4. Define integrity of creation and explain why it is necessary.
The way in which creation’s many interdependent relationships fit together as a harmonious whole. The integrity of creation is necessary for it to thrive as God intends.
5. What unique role do humans have within the integrity of creation, and why?
Humans have the unique role of stewards because we are made in the image of God and because we alone among all creatures have the freedom to choose how we will relate to the rest of creation.
6. Name at least three consequences of rain forest destruction.
Any of the following are options.
The mass extinction of species
The loss of potentially valuable medicines
Harm to the life of people in poverty
Contribution to global warning

4. 7. What do the U.S. Catholic bishops say is the single greatest cause of environmental destruction?
Consumption in developed nations.
8. In a paragraph, explain how the poverty of indigenous people and the consumption of developed nations contribute to the destruction of rain forests.
9. Name three beliefs that characterize a power-over relationship with the earth.
The earth has value by itself.
The earth is owned by whoever has the power to take it.
The earth is a limitless resource.

5. 10. What does it mean to say that the natural world is sacramental?
The natural world reveals the presence of God in a visible and tangible way.
11. How are humans to exercise dominion over the earth?
Human dominion over the earth is meant to be driven by love, not greed or abuse. Part of the responsibility of stewardship, then, involves safeguarding natural resource in order to ensure that they benefit all people, including poor people and future generation—not just those powerful enough to control them.
12. What are sustainable economics practices?
Practices that reduce current stresses on natural systems and are consistent with sounds environmental policy in the long term. Such practices use natural resources in a way that preserves the earth’s ability to nurture itself and the whole human community well into the future.

6. 13. Write a short paragraph comparing the ways stewardship of the earth and celebrating the Eucharist are similar and different.
14. How does economics respects the limits of creation?
By seeking to include the value of the environment in economic decision making.
15. How does short-term thinking fail to reflect the real value of the environment?
By failing to consider the true or hidden value of natural resources
By failing to measure the value of natural resources for human life
By failing to see that natural resources are gifts from God.

7. Setting aside land for conservation and restoring forests
16. As stewards of creation, what must business leaders weigh when making decisions?
The contribution their activities make to the common good against the harm these activities cause the environment.
17. Describe sustainable development. List three polices adopted by the Costa Rican government to encourage sustainable development.
Sustainable development occurs when the government cooperates with citizens, businesses, nongovernmental organization, and labor unions to raise the country’s standard of living while sustaining its natural resources for future generations.
Setting aside land for conservation and restoring forests
Taxing gasoline and oil, and using the income as an incentive for small farmers to grow trees that soak up carbon emissions and stop erosion
Working to use energy from renewable resources such as geothermal power
Taxing electricity and giving tax credits to people who buy energy-efficient appliances.
Supporting ecotourism, tourism driven by natural attractions
Finding valuable new medicine and natural chemicals among the many species in the conservation areas.
18. In your community, how might human creativity be used to build life-giving relationships between human beings and the earth?

8. 17. Describe sustainable development
17. Describe sustainable development. List three polices adopted by the Costa Rican government to encourage sustainable development.
Sustainable development occurs when the government cooperates with citizens, businesses, nongovernmental organization, and labor unions to raise the country’s standard of living while sustaining its natural resources for future generations.
Setting aside land for conservation and restoring forests
Taxing gasoline and oil, and using the income as an incentive for small farmers to grow trees that soak up carbon emissions and stop erosion
Working to use energy from renewable resources such as geothermal power
Taxing electricity and giving tax credits to people who buy energy-efficient appliances.
Supporting ecotourism, tourism driven by natural attractions
Finding valuable new medicine and natural chemicals among the many species in the conservation areas.
18. In your community, how might human creativity be used to build life-giving relationships between human beings and the earth?

9. It’s time for CHURCH HISTORY!!!

10. WARNING
The following section of the class is being taught from a Catholic point of view. If not Catholic, you will NOT be graded on your beliefs but rather on your understanding of the material. For more information see the Parent/Student handbook.

11. As you watch the next film…
Write down the top 10points you need to know about Church History.

12. HOMEWORK
Brainstorm 5 ways that U.S. social structures could be changed to encourage greater environmental stewardship.