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THE GAIA PRINCIPLES
John T. Crestwell, Jr.
7/11/04

Good morning. It’s great to be with you again. It is a special day and we welcome Paula Cole Jones, longtime member of All Souls Church in the District. She is also a consultant with the UUA in the area of racial justice and we are honored to have her here today and look forward to the workshop, “Building a Multi-cultural Community,” at noon.

This morning I have chosen a topic that may or may not be familiar to you—The Gaia Principles. This is a relatively new concept that developed in the late 60’s and into the 70’s, and has taken parts of Europe and Canada (and a few places in America) by storm, as a result of many scientific advances that are indeed changing the human worldview or rather the human earth-view.

The current earth-view can be understood best by reading the book of Genesis in the Bible. I want to share with you a brief reading from Genesis 1: 26-31

Genesis 1: 26-31
26 Then God said, "Let us make humankind in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, [1] and over all the creatures that move along the ground." 27 So God created humankind in God’s own image, in the image of God, God created them; male and female God created them.

28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." 29 Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground-everything that has the breath of life in it-I give every green plant for food to you." And it was so. 31 God saw all that God made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning-the sixth day. (Of course on the seventh day God rested).

These scriptures, which are the foundation of our present worldview says humanity has dominion over all living creatures on earth. In essence, humanity is master of the earth. Human beings are responsible for organizing very complex functions and we must do this because God gave it to us. God is master of humankind and the cosmos but in the chain of command human beings, made in the likeness of God, are first on earth and appointed by God as the caretakers of the planet and therefore masters over the Creator’s creation.

This is the myth that prevails in our culture. But there are others emerging like this Gaian theory, which I would have to say is the antithesis to the biblical Genesis narrative.

It was in 1972, when a gentleman named James Lovelock introduced a new theory in his book The Gaia Hypothesis which would eventually bring to life the Gaia principles. He took the name GAIA from Greek mythology. Gaia was the goddess we know as Mother Earth. She had a dual nature: caring supporter of those who “fit” her desires and annihilator of those who did not. And as we shall see, this is a very fitting name for Lovelock’s theory.

The idea of Gaia is that the earth is ALIVE, a living organism. Mother earth, as Lovelock writes, is “…a self-regulating system. Life creates its own environment and thus regulates the climate and all aspects of the ecosystem in which it thrives.” This is to say that human beings are not independent from their environment. As a life form, we have evolved on earth, and are made of the stuff of this planet. Our life and existence are directly related to the life and existence of the earth. We live as a result of a delicate environmental balance. His theory says that if we upset this balance, we can no longer survive as beings on Mother-earth. Lovelock’s theory concludes that if any creation disrupts the balance, Gaia shall call upon her self-regulating functions and will rid herself of any annoyance that does not comply to her will. Gaia lives and regenerates as a result of the sun. The destiny of Gaia is tied inextricably with the destiny of the sun.

If you look at the human body Lovelock’s theory can be better understood. We have bodies that have many varying functions most of which are on autopilot, rather they function will little or no assistance from us. And most people, unless we are medical doctors, are not aware of the complex processes at work. When we get sick, as an example, and our bodies get infected with a virus, the white blood cells kick in to destroy the infected area. Science helps us to know these facts but for many years we just knew we got better after awhile. Okay, so, while the white cells are fighting to keep the body functioning properly, the red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to various tissues in the body. (I sound like a medical doctor thanks to my father-in-laws health book—Amen). Anyway, if the red blood cells are too low they carry less oxygen to the body and thus we get fatigued and weakness occurs. If the count is too high the blood may become to thick and the risk of heart attack and stroke increase. The balance is delicate…

Then there are these things we call platelets, which are smaller than red or white blood cells. Platelets control the clotting process. But, if the platelet level is too low, we are subject to bruising and abnormal bleeding. If the platelet level is too high it causes excessive clotting and could lead again to heart attack or stroke. The balance has to be just right. Upset the balance and our health is in jeopardy. These are just a few examples of the Gaian theory of why we need to maintain the delicate harmony in the universe.

The Gaian concept also suggests a new worldview—an organic, internal worldview, which moves away from the old story that says humans have a supernatural, external “maker” who commands them to dominate the earth. This Gaian concept says humans are essentially a byproduct of the natural selection process. We are not separate from nature or separate from creation. Rather, we are nature, one species among many others that function as a part of the earths many processes.

Many of you are familiar with this scholarship. Over the years many Unitarian Universalists have embraced Lovelock’s theory. In fact, now there are 12 Gaia Principles promulgated by various environmentalist organizations: I’d like to share them with you…

Principle 1: To acknowledge that uncontrolled human population growth in conjunction with the unrestrained consumption of the earths resources have brought about a crisis that threatens all life on earth. To work toward establishing an equilibrium of nature in which all life and future generations can enjoy and share the fruits of this unique planet.

Principle 2: To recognize that humans suffer individually and collectively from foibles (frailty in character) which may blind our objectivity regarding an unpleasant reality (SCSyndrome). By interacting with fellow humans we can help each other recognize, acknowledge, and understand these weaknesses, enabling us to deal with unpleasant reality.

Principle 3: To modify our personal expectations in life from expectations based on the past, to expectations consistent with a sustainable future.

Principle 4: To assume responsibility for personal change because in a free society no government or world-wide organization can force upon us the required behavioral and attitudinal changes. Personal long-lasting freedom requires personal responsibility and compromise.

Principle 5: To be undaunted by the enormity of the task at hand and to work around problems that cannot be dealt with effectively and immediately.

Principle 6: To establish the common good as the highest priority, while preserving individual human freedom and rights where possible. The long-term well-being of Gaia will be the primary consideration.

Principle 7: To work toward living within our global means with regard to energy usage and to recycle consumer goods rather than extract non-renewable resources from Earth.

Principle 8: To work toward the elimination of human-made classification barriers that have historically caused conflict between groups of humans.

Principle 9: To work for the maintenance of the democratic process in countries where the democratic process is functional, and to bring about change within the rule of law.

Principle 10: To recognize that humans must become stewards of the planet, but that stewardship does not make humans superior to other life forms.

Principle 11: To lobby governments to assess all legislation considering the full dimension of time, including life on Earth in the distant future.

Principle 12: To accept personal responsibility, and to help in your own way toward communication of the GAIA PRINCIPLES, either individually or collectively to others both at home and abroad.

I don’t find a lot wrong with these principles. Of course, you all know I don’t eat the entire pie of anybody’s ideology. Just a slice here and there… And so I want to argue a few distinctive points:

1. Humans threaten ALL life on earth. I don’t believe that humans can destroy the earth. Humans can destroy other species and surely annihilate themselves but the earth is here and ‘aint goin’ nowhere until that great big shining star—the sun, says otherwise. So I would say that as we use up resources and poison our atmosphere what we put in jeopardy are human, animal and some plant life and other species that go unseen. Sure our evolutionary process can end but the earths will continue with or without us. If humans want to blow themselves up with a nuclear bomb, we can do that. And after the dust settles something else will emerge. Unfortunately we are so arrogant we don’t realize what a blessing life is!

2. Another of the principles implies that the preservation of the earth is the primary purpose of humans and the edification of the human life, secondary. Again, I understand where they’re going with the idea but from my viewpoint, the earth can take care of itself. Therefore, the first priority of the human being should be to human beings! Our goal should be to establish positive relationships free from hatred and violence. The primary function of the human experience should be developing loving human bonds—creating a world of peace, justice and goodwill for all people.

3. And then somewhere in the principles it implies that human beings are a flawed piece of evolution. In the grand scheme we are not flawed. In the human communal perspective, yes, we are drastically flawed and must work to cure societal ills. It is obvious that humans do not share and care enough. But from an earth-view, we are not flawed rather we are the products of evolution—microorganisms inside a macro-organism. Our actions are the result of very complex anthropological and biological predispositions (I just preached that sermon.) What does the pesky gnat do for our world? What does that bug you just stepped on—what did it do for the environment? Who knows. And what about the human being—what do we do that is vital for this planet’s survival? I don’t know? I cannot grasp the complexity of the cause and effect self-regulatory regeneration process of Gaia. But, if you ask me what is a human beings responsibility to their fellow brother or sister I will tell you with conviction that it is to make a positive difference on their lives! And that is because the human self-regulating system of myths and mores teach us that this is so.

For me, the Gaia principles, even with their flaws, give us a new vision of God, nature and reality. Essentially, we have the gift of a “new story to tell to the nations.” And you’ve heard me say this time and time again, we need a new story for emerging generations; a new story for a new day. We need to begin transitioning from the old story of humankind being master of the earth, to a new story where the earth is our master; a new story where humans understand they are not the “be all—end all” of creation, but one part in a multifaceted, complex process. Now, we’re not giving up all of the elements of the old story. In the old myth, we learned that there was something bigger than you and I at work in the world—and that is the point. There IS something bigger than you and I and I cannot articulate nor fathom what it is. I just know that it is too marvelous to be named. I just know that it is above the title God; I just know that I call it, for lack of a better term, the creative, sustaining force that keeps all things in a beautiful harmonious flow. I stand and stare and marvel at this creation—for I am it, and you are too. If we take our eyes off of the God that chooses sides; if we take our eyes off of the idea that humans have dominion over nature and place our eyes on the fact that we are a miraculous creation, then we don’t have time for the pettiness, we don’t have time to fight religious wars, knowing they could lead to world wars, which could lead to nuclear wars and human extinction. If we understand that life is a precious and delicate gift we won’t have time to hoard resources. But we will have time to stand and stare at our blessed human lives and then, perhaps, we could find more time to enjoy this short journey together. This is what Gaia communicates to me: “For the beauty of the earth, for the splendor of the skies, for the love which from our birth over and around us lies. For the wonder of each hour—of the day and of the night, hill and vale and tree and flower, sun and moon and stars of light. For the joy of human care, sister, brother, parent child, for the kinship we all share, for all gentle thoughts and mild; SOURCE OF ALL TO THEE WE RAISE, THIS OUR HYMN OF GRATEFUL PRAISE!”

That is our closing hymn number 21. Sing it with power and conviction. Thank you for your time this morning. Amen.

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