Returning to Mother Earth

Abstract

Everywhere the marginalized communities have awakened and are demanding their right and justice. The assertion of their rights and identity are all connected to control of their land and its resources, their culture and traditions. They continue to challenge our thoughts and actions as Christians. Globalization has opened the door for many indigenous people to leave their home countries to work as domestic workers, factory workers, entertainers in tourist destinations. There are many stories of violence, and even killing of these migrant workers. This is happening because of unequal distribution of wealth. The global competition to control earth’s resources has led to war and conflict. The greed for capital leads to control and manipulation of strategic economic locations like Iraq, Palestine and so on. The uncontrolled and one-sided exploitative economic development projects have brought with them various ecological crises. The rape of Mother Earth manifests in uncontrolled logging, indiscriminate use of chemicals in agriculture, inconsiderate disposal of non-biodegradable waste, and human beings’ many other ‘ecocidal’ acts due to negligence, ignorance or greed which are destroying the ecosystem. The indigenous communities who depended on earth’s resources are the most affected people. <br /><br /> With the increasing influence and impact of materialism, secularism, and liberalism in the postcolonial era, the indigenous people continue to experience challenges and stagnation in spirituality. These include loss of focus in discipleship and spiritual formation, loss of indigenous wisdom, character and values, and infiltration of western culture and ideology through the neo- Pentecostal and new religious movements’ influences. The information technology that promotes a consumerist life-style also contributes to the fast decline of the indigenous cultures and discrimination against minorities. <br /><br /> All these issues are complex and are interrelated to culture, spirituality, power and proper management of earth resources. Theology has to take a stand for the victims of hegemonic structures of oppression and other dominant powers. The future of contextual theologies such as indigenous people’s theology will also be determined in its ability to create counter movements and theology against hegemonic powers and life threatening forces. All these problems challenge us to search for a new way of doing theology, Christian witness and theological and ministerial formation programme of the churches. This work makes a humble attempt to responding to those issues and concerns.