RELIGION AND THE ENVIRONMENT…….

Religion is a powerful tool that has led men to a willingful participation of their own capitulation. It is religion that shapes beliefs and thus provides a roadmap on which he walks and thinketh. So powerful is religion that it responsible for both the formulation and perpetuation of ideology that in time becomes common sensical.

In Africa, with Zimbabwe as a case in point, Christianity has become one oft the widely accepted religions. The biblical passages tell a story of the first task given to men by God, being that of tending the garden, Genesis 2vs 15, And the Lord God put men in the Garden of Eden, to tend it and keep it. However, this assignment has been overtaken by other spiritual duties. The result being, the same hand that is supposed to tend for the garden has become the same hand that destroys it.

Environmental Buddies Zimbabwe Trust decided to take the religious approach to instill men’s roles in the protection of the environment. Engaging with Pastors from the United Methodist Church, Harare East District, of The Zimbabwe East Annual Conference, the gospel of men’s duties in the environment have to be reinforced.

Harare East District of the United Methodist Church received 200 trees from Environmental Buddies Zimbabwe Trust that were distributed to the District’s 19 circuits. As men are custodians of the environment, so are Pastors of their congregants. The ideology of men taking care of the environment should again be formulated and perpetuated as per the Holy Scriptures that guides Christianity.

Receiving the 200 trees that would be planted and tended in 19 circuits was the presiding District Superintendent , Rev Bonga. Also present were Reverend O. Mukahanana, Reverend Matara, Reverend J. Chirowa and Reverend Annie-Grace Chingonzo. The aim was to restore and reposition the duties of a Christian, particularly in the garden.