Eco-spirituality in Papua New Guinea’s Traditional Beliefs and Christian Teachings: A Response to the Contemporary Ecological Crisis
Like many other countries, Papua New Guinea (PNG) faces significant environmental challenges, including deforestation and climate change impacts. This research responds to these ecological issues by analyzing traditional beliefs and religious practices in PNG, emphasizing the interconnectedness of a...
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| Language: | English |
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Asian Research Center for Religion and Social Communication, St John's University
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Religion and Social Communication |
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| Online Access: | https://asianresearchcenter.org/blog/articles/eco-spirituality-in-papua-new-guineas-traditional-beliefs-and-christian-teachings-a-response-to-the-contemporary-ecological-crisis |
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| author | Tuan Viet Cao |
| author_facet | Tuan Viet Cao |
| author_sort | Tuan Viet Cao |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Like many other countries, Papua New Guinea (PNG) faces significant environmental challenges, including deforestation and climate change impacts. This research responds to these ecological issues by analyzing traditional beliefs and religious practices in PNG, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all life forms and their intrinsic relationship with the cosmos, and integrating them into Christianity. Using qualitative interviews, ethnographic fieldwork, and textual analysis, the research reveals that the holistic perspectives of indigenous and Christian beliefs and their eco-spirituality can inspire meaningful dialogue and action in addressing pressing environmental issues and nurturing spiritual well-being. Key findings indicate that these integrated spiritual perspectives can lead to more sustainable environmental practices and policies. By showcasing the wisdom embedded in PNG’s indigenous knowledge and its alignment with particular Christian spiritualities, the research underscores the relevance of these belief systems to current academic and practical discourses on environmental sustainability. This research not only enriches the understanding of eco-spirituality in a specific cultural context but also offers valuable insights for global efforts to harmonize human-environment relationships, emphasizing the role of spirituality in fostering sustainable futures.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-651ecef5c5c544ac9682ca3da72445e8 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 3057-0883 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Asian Research Center for Religion and Social Communication, St John's University |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Religion and Social Communication |
| spelling | doaj-art-651ecef5c5c544ac9682ca3da72445e82025-08-20T01:52:19ZengAsian Research Center for Religion and Social Communication, St John's UniversityReligion and Social Communication3057-08832025-01-012315479https://doi.org/10.62461/TVC100124Eco-spirituality in Papua New Guinea’s Traditional Beliefs and Christian Teachings: A Response to the Contemporary Ecological CrisisTuan Viet CaoLike many other countries, Papua New Guinea (PNG) faces significant environmental challenges, including deforestation and climate change impacts. This research responds to these ecological issues by analyzing traditional beliefs and religious practices in PNG, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all life forms and their intrinsic relationship with the cosmos, and integrating them into Christianity. Using qualitative interviews, ethnographic fieldwork, and textual analysis, the research reveals that the holistic perspectives of indigenous and Christian beliefs and their eco-spirituality can inspire meaningful dialogue and action in addressing pressing environmental issues and nurturing spiritual well-being. Key findings indicate that these integrated spiritual perspectives can lead to more sustainable environmental practices and policies. By showcasing the wisdom embedded in PNG’s indigenous knowledge and its alignment with particular Christian spiritualities, the research underscores the relevance of these belief systems to current academic and practical discourses on environmental sustainability. This research not only enriches the understanding of eco-spirituality in a specific cultural context but also offers valuable insights for global efforts to harmonize human-environment relationships, emphasizing the role of spirituality in fostering sustainable futures. https://asianresearchcenter.org/blog/articles/eco-spirituality-in-papua-new-guineas-traditional-beliefs-and-christian-teachings-a-response-to-the-contemporary-ecological-crisisindigenous religionchristianityeco-spiritualitytraditional beliefspapua new guineaecological crisis |
| spellingShingle | Tuan Viet Cao Eco-spirituality in Papua New Guinea’s Traditional Beliefs and Christian Teachings: A Response to the Contemporary Ecological Crisis Religion and Social Communication indigenous religion christianity eco-spirituality traditional beliefs papua new guinea ecological crisis |
| title | Eco-spirituality in Papua New Guinea’s Traditional Beliefs and Christian Teachings: A Response to the Contemporary Ecological Crisis |
| title_full | Eco-spirituality in Papua New Guinea’s Traditional Beliefs and Christian Teachings: A Response to the Contemporary Ecological Crisis |
| title_fullStr | Eco-spirituality in Papua New Guinea’s Traditional Beliefs and Christian Teachings: A Response to the Contemporary Ecological Crisis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Eco-spirituality in Papua New Guinea’s Traditional Beliefs and Christian Teachings: A Response to the Contemporary Ecological Crisis |
| title_short | Eco-spirituality in Papua New Guinea’s Traditional Beliefs and Christian Teachings: A Response to the Contemporary Ecological Crisis |
| title_sort | eco spirituality in papua new guinea s traditional beliefs and christian teachings a response to the contemporary ecological crisis |
| topic | indigenous religion christianity eco-spirituality traditional beliefs papua new guinea ecological crisis |
| url | https://asianresearchcenter.org/blog/articles/eco-spirituality-in-papua-new-guineas-traditional-beliefs-and-christian-teachings-a-response-to-the-contemporary-ecological-crisis |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT tuanvietcao ecospiritualityinpapuanewguineastraditionalbeliefsandchristianteachingsaresponsetothecontemporaryecologicalcrisis |