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Fletcher Harper

Beyond Politeness: Activating Moral Discomfort and Spiritual Communities for the Earth

November 19, 2022

“Nature awakens a sense of awe at the mystery of life, a sense of wonder, a sense of humility in the face of something so much bigger than we are." An Episcopal priest, the Rev. Fletcher Harper works to tap and activate the values base of the religious sector in ways profound and practical to curb wasteful consumerism and set faith-based communities on a track to environmental stewardship—in practice as well as in belief. He is Executive Director of GreenFaith, a multi-faith environmental organization that serves as a one-stop shop for religious institutions to engage and lead on environmental issues. "The only way that a status quo gets changed is through moral discomfort," he says. Religious leaders must be willing to advocate specific targeted actions – not generalized moral exhortations, because "polite conversation and periodic references to the Bible are not going to dismantle the system."
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