Questions about land use, conservation, and preservation—already so perplexing and contentious—take on a new complexity and greater urgency when the land in question is understood as sacred. This is a view increasingly held, as adherents of mainstream religions come to recognize what indigenous peoples knew centuries ago—that the sacred inheres in nature itself. What such a trend means and how it involves the forces of culture, religion, and constitutional law (especially First Amendment clauses concerning the free exercise of religion) are considered with a remarkable breadth and depth of understanding in this important new work.
Drawing on case studies of national parks and monuments, national forests, and other public lands and resources, Lloyd Burton gives a clear and comprehensive account of how the intertwining influences of culture, religion, and law have affected the management of public lands and resources in the recent past and how they may do so in the future. In a unique and unprecedented way, his book weaves together teachings on nature and the sacred among indigenous and immigrant culture groups in the United States; the relevant constitutional history of religion and government action; and analysis of contemporary conflicts over culture, religion, and public lands management. As such, Worship and Wilderness is essential reading not only for public land managers and environmental policy makers but also for anyone interested in the growing significance of religious interests in the use of resources that constitute our national commons and our common natural heritage.
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Editorial Reviews
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"Very original. Burton has brought together many diverse sources in primarily law and religion to present an analysis of the current state of human rights and the political problems of the environment. Nothing is as comprehensive as this book in weaving the two strands together."—Vine Deloria Jr., author of Custer Died for Your Sins
From the Back Cover
"Very original. Burton has brought together many diverse sources in primarily law and religion to present an analysis of the current state of human rights and the political problems of the environment. Nothing is as comprehensive as this book in weaving the two strands together."-Vine Deloria Jr., author of Custer Died for Your Sins
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Solid, insightful, scholarly, and very strongly recommended,
By Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Worship and Wilderness: Culture, Religion, and Law in Public Lands Management (Paperback)
Worship And Wilderness: Culture, Religion, And Law In Public Lands Management by Lloyd Burton (Associate Professor of Law and Public Policy, and Director of the Program in Environmental Policy, Management, and Low, Graduate School of Public Affairs, University of Colorado - Denver) is an informed and informative survey and analysis of how different forces intersect to shape the management of public lands and resources in the past, in the present, and in the foreseeable future. Offering a cautionary glimpse of the risks and benefits of multiple-use management of public lands and a great deal more, Worship And Wilderness is a solid, insightful, scholarly, and very strongly recommended contribution to Environmental Studies reading lists and reference collections.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Complexity of Incorporating Culture, Religion, and Law in Land Management Plans,
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This review is from: Worship and Wilderness: Culture, Religion, and Law in Public Lands Management (Paperback)
Lloyd Burton provides a thorough description of the difficulties in managing public lands when multiple interests need to be considered. Specifically, Burton discusses the conflict surrounding Devils Tower/Bear's Lodge land management plan. To rock climbers, Devils Tower is a haven for its vertical climbing peak but to Plains Indians in the area, Bear's Lodge is a sacred site spiritually important for various tribal rituals. Issues such as culture, religion, and law all affect how these particular plans are implemented. A federal court ruled that forbidding climbing during the month of June was unconstitutional; however, the Park Service could post a voluntary ban in recognition of the Plains Indian's summer solstice rituals. In Bear Lodge Multiple Use Ass'n v. Babbitt the court ruled the Park Service could accommodate American Indians in land management plans. The difference between accommodating American Indian interests versus endorsing Indian religion was noted. One aspect of the ruling Burton fails to address is that the explanation was based on First Amendment interpretations rather than the trust obligation the United States has to Indian tribes. Although implementing management plans like that of Devils Tower are complex, they are necessary to help balance public use and protection of land.
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