What do the different religions teach about humans and nature? Has the way we interpret sacred texts changed? Can faith help us to better care for the planet?
In this seminar, we are joined by three religious representatives who will discuss the most important teachings that the Bible, the Quran, and the Guru Granth Sahib carry about humans and nature. They will also explain how these messages have been re-interpreted during the greening of religions.
Bishop Joseph J. Tyson is a prominent figure in the American Catholic Church and a dedicated advocate for social and environmental justice. He has served as Bishop of Yakima in Washington State since 2011 where he has been a consistent voice on questions of justice and ecology, speaking publicly on how climate change affects the health of farmworkers and agricultural practices in Washington State.
Imam Jamal Rahman is a celebrated voice in Islamic spirituality, Sufi wisdom, and interfaith dialogue. He is a Co-founder and Muslim Sufi minister at Interfaith Community Sanctuary and adjunct faculty at Seattle University, and has written and co-authored numerous works at the intersection of Islamic teaching and interfaith understanding. Through retreats, workshops, and interfaith radio, Rahman has dedicated his career to fostering understanding and healing across religious communities.
Dr. Supreet Kaur is a pioneer in faith-based environmental advocacy, and has a distinguished career in education, community leadership, and ecological restoration. Since 2016, Dr. Kaur has served as President of EcoSikh India, representing the Sikh community's dedication to safeguarding nature on national and international platforms — a mission rooted in Sikh teachings of sustainability and reverence for the living world. Under her leadership, EcoSikh has planted over half a million trees across India and beyond.
The webinar is moderated by Dr. David Goyes, University of Oslo.
Watch the webinar here (YouTube)
The event is funded by the University of Oslo’s interdisciplinary initiative UiO: Energy and Environment.