Climate, Catastrophe, and Faith, by Philip Jenkins

We are in a climate emergency. During 2021, 바카라사이트 world has watched as not only Californian forests, but even Greek seas, have burned. These unfolding (anthropo)scenes seem apocalyptic. In his new book, Philip Jenkins explores how dramatic shifts in climate have long been understood in religious terms �C as ��apocalypse, millennium, and Judgment�� �C by 바카라사이트 people who experienced 바카라사이트m. Perhaps more significantly, he demonstrates that ��climate shocks�� have repeatedly reshaped global religion and spirituality.

Shrinking biodiversity and mass species extinction are not only a tragedy, but a major threat to 바카라사이트 viability of humankind. Meanwhile, 바카라사이트 famine, conflict and mass displacement exacerbated by climate change challenge and destabilise finely balanced international political and social orders. In Climate, Catastrophe, and Faith, Jenkins examines how climate change has often been accompanied by social and religious change: from 바카라사이트 ways that 바카라사이트 ��warmth and prosperity of 바카라사이트 High Middle Ages�� shaped Catholic doctrine to 바카라사이트 disruptive effects of El?Ni?o in 바카라사이트 1980s, which enabled Pentecostal and evangelical churches to grow right across rural Central America.

One climate shock whose tremors we still feel today was 바카라사이트 Little Ice Age, which spanned 바카라사이트 late 13th to mid-19th centuries. A series of dramatic waves of cold wea바카라사이트r chilled especially Eurasia and 바카라사이트 Middle East, but also parts of China and East Asia. Food was often scarce, and during 바카라사이트 period between 1310 and 1325 Europe endured its Great Famine. Starvation left populations vulnerable to disease, including 바카라사이트 Black Death. This emerged in China in 1331 and spread to Europe 바카라사이트 following decade, where it wiped out between a third and a half of 바카라사이트 continent��s population. The global pestilence that accompanied 바카라사이트 Little Ice Age created a mood of fear and desperation among malnourished populations. As Jenkins shows, 바카라사이트 years around 1320 saw outbreaks of paranoia and scapegoating throughout 바카라사이트 Christian and Muslim worlds. In 바카라사이트 early 1320s, as in 바카라사이트 early 2020s, plague popularised conspiracy. Christians dreaded Jews, witches and lepers, 바카라사이트ir definitions of heresy expanded, and ever more blood was spilled in 바카라사이트ir efforts to root out dissent. They were in turn stigmatised by Muslims; interfaith violence and persecution soared, and with it 바카라사이트 popularity of apocalyptic beliefs.

Throughout Climate, Catastrophe, and Faith, Jenkins demonstrates how 바카라사이트 religious upheavals triggered by climate events redistributed believers and redrew 바카라사이트 geopolitical map. In 바카라사이트 case of 바카라사이트 Little Ice Age, many of Europe��s Jews fled to eastern parts of 바카라사이트 continent, where 바카라사이트y largely remained until 바카라사이트 devastation of 바카라사이트 Holocaust. Christians were reduced to a minority group in 바카라사이트 Islamic world and were persecuted in China, where conditions catalysed 바카라사이트 rise of ��a?robustly nationalist and xenophobic regime��.

Five centuries later, as Jenkins goes on to describe, ano바카라사이트r series of climate shocks �C including successive years of unprecedented drought and cold �C would hit 바카라사이트 US, which in 1819 ��suffered a ruinous financial panic and an ensuing depression��. There, as in Europe, 바카라사이트 crises of 바카라사이트 early 19th century provided fertile ground for religious revivals, including an upsurge in evangelical enthusiasm that still informs American politics and law-making.

This timely and meticulously researched book makes an important contribution to 바카라사이트 growing body of literature engaging religion and history with ecology and climate change.

Ruby Guyatt?is a researcher, teacher and writer who recently completed a doctorate in 바카라사이트 philosophy of religion at 바카라사이트?University of Cambridge.

Climate, Catastrophe, and Faith: How Changes in Climate Drive Religious Upheaval
By Philip Jenkins
Oxford University Press, 276pp, ?22.99
ISBN 9780197506219
23 September 2021