Craig Cowing

Actually it does have an impact. I'm thinking of the early chapters of Genesis in which Adam and Eve are given dominion over the earth. The translation of "dominion" means that they are give the right to take whatever they need or want. Now, it is true that everyone sees the earth in some way as a source of life, and indeed it is, but this adds another level to it.

Both Christians and Shintoists use plants and animals to serve them in various ways: to build with, to eat, to cloth themsleves, etc...

However, it is both a Shinto and Christian view that nature is in some way representative of the great magesty of the divine (however that particular theme is defined). [/QUOTE]

Quite right. The Old Testament/Hebrew Scriptures is full of references to that, particularly the Psalms. Wondeful stuff.

Like I said, we're on somewhat contextually irrelevant and certainly caustic ground here. I'm quite scared to proceed any further.

Kind regards,
Andy Rutledge
zone 8, Texas [/QUOTE]

Doesn't sound like you, Andy. Since when have you shied away from controversy? I can't see why this is caustic. I'm not shoving my faith down anyone's throat, am I? This is very much at the foundation of a Western view of nature, which certainly informs our view of bonsai. It's entirely relevant, contextually and otherwise.

Craig Cowing
NY
Zone 5b/6a Sunset 37

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