Religion and Contemporary Ecology: Laudato Si and Ibn Arabi's Eco-Spirituality in the Perspective of Open Integrity
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22219/progresiva.v14i01.38032Keywords:
ecological awarenss, eco-spiritualism, environmental sustainability, human natureAbstract
This study aims to explore the relationship between religious teachings and ecological awareness in responding to the environmental crisis in Indonesia. Specifically, the study focuses on Islam and Catholicism, examining the thoughts of Ibn Arabi and the concept of ecospirituality in Laudato Si. This research arises from the phenomenon of natural resource exploitation and the involvement of religious organizations in the management of mining areas. It questions the role of religion in limiting destructive behavior toward the environment. The study uses a qualitative method with data collection techniques through literature review on ecology, religion, and environmental policies. The findings reveal that the ecospirituality of Islam (Ibn Arabi) and Catholicism (Laudato Si) promote a triadic relationship: human, nature, and God. Human actions impact the understanding of nature and divinity. The process of humans honoring nature is akin to honoring the love and blessings of life from God. Nature can be seen as a mother who nurtures and cares for her children (humankind). Religion plays a key role here, particularly through its categorical imperatives. For example, the concept of ‘Insan Kamil,’ emphasized continuously by Muslims, or the ecospiritual encyclical Laudato Si, which stimulates ecological awareness in contemporary humans. This study offers a new interdisciplinary contribution to understanding the ecological crisis, especially in Indonesia, by integrating the religious dimension as a potential solution for environmental sustainability.
Downloads
References
Abrahamov, B. (2015). Ibn al-ʿArabī’s Fuṣūṣ Al-Ḥikam: An Annotated Translation of “The Bezels of Wisdom.” Routledge.
Adamkiewicz, J., Kochańska, E., Adamkiewicz, I., & Łukasik, R. M. (2022). Greenwashing and sustainable fashion industry. Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable Chemistry, 38, 100710. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cogsc.2022.100710
Ahdiat, A. (2023). Hutan Indonesia Berkurang 1,3 Juta Hektare dalam 5 Tahun. https://databoks.katadata.co.id/datapublish/2023/12/29/hutan-indonesia-berkurang-13-juta-hektare-dalam-5-tahun
Annur, C. M. (2023). Sumber Listrik dari Energi Terbarukan Masih Minim di Indonesia. https://databoks.katadata.co.id/datapublish/2023/11/21/sumber-listrik-dari-energi-terbarukan-masih-minim-di-indonesia
Aprianti, P., & Purwadi, Y. S. (2024). The Keberdayaan Spiritualitas Perempuan Islam dan Katolik: Studi Deskriptif-Komparatif Mistisisme Rabia al-Adawiyya dan Santa Thérèse dari Lisieux. Integritas Terbuka: Peace and Interfaith Studies, 3(1), 1–10. DOI: https://doi.org/10.59029/int.v3i1.24
Arabi, I. (2011). Al Futuhat Al Makkiyah. Dar Al Kotob Al Ilmiyah.
Berry, E., & Epstein, M. (1999). Transcultural Experiments Russian and American models of creative communication. Springer.
Berry, T. (2015). Ethics and ecology. In Educating for Humanity (pp. 155–164). Routledge.
Bidul, S., & Widowaty, Y. (2023). Analisis Yuridis Dampak Pencemaran Lingkungan Pertambangan Mangan dan Nikel di Provinsi Maluku Utara. Justice, 9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33506/js.v9i3.2768
Bodian, S., Boeckel, J. Van, Devall, B., & others. (2019). Biography of Arne Naess. https://openairphilosophy.org/arne-naess/
Britannica. (2024). Spirituality. https://www.britannica.com/topic/spirituality
Budiyanti, N., Aziz, A. A., & Erihadiana, M. (2020). The strategy of Insan Kamil in Building Green Education. IjoASER (International Journal on Advanced Science, Education, Religion), 3. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33648/ijoaser.v3i2.54
Capra, F. (1996). The web of life: A new synthesis of mind and matter. Flamingo London.
Encep, Anwar, H., & Febriani, N. A. (2022). Ekospiritual: Relasi Alam dan Manusia dalam Pandangan Berbagai Agama. Jurnal Sosial Dan Budaya Syar-I, 9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15408/sjsbs.v9i3.26465
Franciscus, P. (2015). Laudato Si’, Encyclical Letter on the Care for Our Common Home. Vatican Press. https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470751343.ch29
Fuentes, A. (2018). The Creative Spark: Bagaimana Imajinasi Mengarahkan Evolusi Manusia (M. I. Suma (ed.)). CV. Global Indo Kreatif.
Giambelli, R. A. (2022). Reciprocity, Death and the Regeneration of Life and Plants in Nusa Penida (Bali). In H. Chamber-Loir & A. Reid (Eds.), The Potent Dead: Ancestors, Saints and Heroes in Contemporary Indonesia. Allen & Unwin.
Haeckel, E. (1876). The History of Creation (Vol. 1). HS King & Company.
Haeckel, E. (2012). Art forms in nature. Courier Corporation.
Haq, M. Z., Sugiharto, I. B., & Purwadi, Y. S. (2024). Narasi Kiamat dan Kebuntuan Kapitalisme: Refleksi Kritis atas Kajian Apokaliptik Mark Fisher. TEMALI: Jurnal Pembangunan Sosial, 7(2), 152–165. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15575/jt.v7i2.37676
Hassani, A., Azapagic, A., & Shokri, N. (2021). Global predictions of primary soil salinization under changing climate in the 21st century. Nature Communications, 12(1), 6663. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-26907-3
Heschel, A. J. (1962). The Prophets. Harper & Row.
Hughes, J. D. (1985). Theophrastus as ecologist. Environmental Review, 9(4), 296–306.
Huriani, Y., Haryanti, E., Zulaiha, E., & Haq, M. Z. (2022). Women's religious congregation as driving force behind alleviation of urban poor nutrition Women religious congregation as driving force behind alleviation of urban poor nutrition. Cogent Social Sciences, 8(1), 0–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2022.2113599
Hutabarat, H. T. (2018). Resensi: Beyond Pluralism—Open Integrity as a Suitable Approach to Muslim-Christian Dialogue. Gema Teologika, 3(1), 85. https://doi.org/10.21460/gema.2018.31.368
Iheka, C. (2017). Pope Francis’ Integral Ecology and Environmentalism for the Poor. Environmental Ethics, 39.
Imanaka, J. L., Prussia, G., & Alexis, S. (2017). “Laudato Si” and Integral Ecology: A Reconceptualization of Sustainability. Journal of Management for Global Sustainability, 5. DOI: https://doi.org/10.13185/2244-6893.1178
Khan, Z., Hossain, M. R., Badeeb, R. A., & Zhang, C. (2023). Aggregate and disaggregate impact of natural resources on economic performance: role of green growth and human capital. Resources Policy, 80, 103103. DOI: 10.1016/j.resourpol.2022.103103
Kusnandar, V. B. (2022). Persentase Pemeluk Agama di Indonesia. Katadata.Co.Id. https://databoks.katadata.co.id/datapublish/2022/02/12/sebanyak-8693-penduduk-indonesia-beragama-islam-pada-31-desember-2021
Labib, S. M., Browning, M. H. E. M., Rigolon, A., Helbich, M., & James, P. (2022). Nature’s contributions in coping with a pandemic in the 21st century: A narrative review of evidence during COVID-19. Science of The Total Environment, 833, 155095. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155095
Leopold, A. (1949). A Sand County Almanac: Oxford University Press. New York.
Li, Z. (2021). Some thoughts on ecological Marxism. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 9(12), 212–219. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155095
Lusiana, P., Suryaningsi, Majid, N., & Herliah, E. (2024). Politik Hukum Pengendalian Pencemaran dan Kerusakan Lingkungan atas Pertambangan Batubara Berbasis Pancasila di PT. Berau Coal. PRIMER: Jurnal Ilmiah Multidisplin, 2. https://ejournal.itka.ac.id/index.php/primer/article/view/330
Maxwell, J. A. (2008). Designing a qualitative study. The SAGE Handbook of Applied Social Research Methods, 2, 214–253.
Messias, T. (2024). From Ecotheology to Ecospirituality in textit{Laudato Si}: Ecological Spirituality beyond Christian Religion. Religions, 15. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15010068
Miles, M. B., & Huberman, A. M. (2013). Qualitative Data Analysis: An Expanded Sourcebook. Sage Publications, Inc.
Mosoh, D. A., Prakash, O., Khandel, A. K., & Vendrame, W. A. (2024). Preserving Earth’s flora in the 21st century: climate, biodiversity, and global change factors since the mid-1940s. Frontiers in Conservation Science, 5, 1383370. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fcosc.2024.1383370
Naess, A. (2015). Culture and environment. Humboldt Journal of Social Relations, 20(1), 143–149. http://www.jstor.org/stable/23262646
Naess, A., & Næss, A. (1990). Ecology, community and lifestyle: Outline of an ecosophy. Cambridge University Press.
Napitsunargo, H. (2024). The future is now: scepticism, new reality and infinities. Unobtainium Photobooks.
Nasr, S. H. (1989). Existence (wujūd) and Quiddity (māhiyyah) in Islamic Philosophy. International Philosophical Quarterly, 29(4), 409–428. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5840/ipq198929431
Nasr, S. H. (2009). The heart of Islam: Enduring values for humanity. Zondervan.
Nerubasska, A., Palshkov, K., & Maksymchuk, B. (2020). A systemic philosophical analysis of the contemporary society and the human: new potential. Postmodern Openings, 11(4), 275–292. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18662/po/11.4/235
Noer, K. A., & Hidayat, K. (1995). Ibn Al-’Arabi: Wahdat al-Wujud dalam Perdebatan. Paramadina.
O., Bonyoglio. (2017). Celebrating Earth Day Through Eco-Spirituality. The Huffington Post.
Ohoiwutun, B. (2022). Agama dan Alam dari Perspektif Arne Naess. MEDIA: Jurnal Filsafat Dan Teologi, 3. https://doi.org/10.53396/media.v3i1.72
Philips, G. (2013). Beyond Pluralism. Open Integrity as a Suitable Approach to Muslim-Christian Dialogue. Institut DIAN/Interfidei. DOI: https://doi.org/10.36383/diskursus.v12i1.129
Philips, G. (2022). Buku Ajar: Studi Islam Perspektif Integritas Terbuka (M. Z. Haq (ed.); Cet I). Prodi S2 Agama-Agama UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung; Program Integritas Terbuka (RSCJ Indonesia); CPCRES Fakultas Filsafat UNPAR.
Philips, G., & Haq, M. Z. (2018). Integritas Terbuka - Keterampilan Berdialog Antar Umat Beragama. Madani Media.
Prokopenko, O., & Miśkiewicz, R. (2020). Perception of” green shipping” in the contemporary conditions. Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues, 8(2), 269. https://doi.org/10.9770/jesi.2020.8.2(16)
Rofiqi, M. A., & Haq, M. Z. (2022). Islamic Approaches in Multicultural and Interfaith Dialogue. Integritas Terbuka: Peace and Interfaith Studies, 1(1), 47–58. DOI: https://doi.org/10.59029/int.v1i1.5
Sagan, C., & Druyan, A. (2023). Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors (E. A. Primanda & D. T. W. Palar (ed.)). KPG (Kepustakaan Populer Gramedia).
Setiadi, D. J., Natanael, G. M., & Haq, M. Z. (2023). Pemeliharaan Lingkungan : Kajian Perbandingan Antara Ensiklik Laudato Si dan Teologi Lingkungan Muhammadiyah. Integritas Terbuka: Peace and Interfaith Studies, 2(2), 85–98. DOI: https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.59029/int.v2i2.16
Setiawan, N., Mardiana, R., & Adiwibowo, S. (2023). Ekologi Budaya dan Ekospiritualitas Komunitas Adat Baduy Menghadapi Modernisasi: Studi Ekologi Budaya dan Ekospiritualitas di Desa Kanekes, Kabupaten Lebak, Banten. Focus, 4(2), 107–120. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26593/focus.v4i2.7123
Shihab, M. Q. (2011). Membumikan Al-Qur’an Jilid 2 (Vol. 2). Lentera Hati Group.
Siagian, Y. R. H. (2021). Beyond Pluralism: Pendekatan Open Integrity Gerardette Philips Sebagai Sebuah Upaya Dialog Pluri-Religius Dalam Berteologi Interreligius Di Indonesia. Jurnal Aradha, 1(1). DOI: https://doi.org/10.21460/aradha.2021.11.548
Snyder, H. (2019). Literature review as a research methodology: An overview and guidelines. Journal of Business Research, 104, 333–339. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.07.039
Sudarminta, J. (2013). Gerardette Philips, Beyond Pluralism: Open Integrity as a Suitable Approach to Muslim-Christian Dialogue, Yogyakarta: Institut DIAN/Interfidei, 2013, xx+ 228 hlm. DISKURSUS-JURNAL FILSAFAT DAN TEOLOGI STF DRIYARKARA, 12(1), 133–139. DOI: https://doi.org/10.36383/diskursus.v12i1.129
Sutton, M. Q., & Anderson, E. N. (2020). An introduction to cultural ecology. Routledge.
Usman, M., & Balsalobre-Lorente, D. (2022). Environmental concern in the era of industrialization: Can financial development, renewable energy, and natural resources alleviate some of the load? Energy Policy, 162, 112780. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2022.112780
Usman, M., Balsalobre-Lorente, D., Jahanger, A., & Ahmad, P. (2022). Pollution concern during globalization mode in financially resource-rich countries: do financial development, natural resources, and renewable energy consumption matter? Renewable Energy, 183, 90–102. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2021.10.067
Verma, P. K., & Dwivedi, P. S. (2022). Eco-Consciousness in Vālmīki-Rāmāyaṇa: An Aesthetical Study of Ecological Integrity and Biodiversity. World, 4, 221. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15407/orientw2022.04.221
White, L. (1967). The Historical Roots of Our Ecologic Crisis. Science, 155(3767), 1203–1207. http://www.jstor.org/stable/1720120
Woods, C. T., McKeown, I., Rothwell, M., Araújo, D., Robertson, S., & Davids, K. (2020). Sports practitioners as sport ecology designers: how ecological dynamics has progressively changed perceptions of skill “acquisition” in the sporting habitat. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 654. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00654
Yang, Z., Nguyen, T. T. H., Nguyen, H. N., Nguyen, T. T. N., & Cao, T. T. (2020). Greenwashing behaviours: Causes, taxonomy and consequences based on a systematic literature review. Journal of Business Economics and Management, 21(5), 1486–1507. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3846/jbem.2020.13225
Zen, A. C., Santos, C. A. F. dos, Santos, D. A. G. dos, da Rosa, J. R., & Spindler, E. dos S. (2024). Exploring the theoretical foundations of innovation ecosystems between 2006 and 2020: an analysis of the different approaches. International Journal of Innovation Science, 16(3), 550–571. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJIS-11-2022-0223
Zhang, Y., Khan, I., & Zafar, M. W. (2022). Assessing environmental quality through natural resources, energy resources, and tax revenues. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29(59), 89029–89044. DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-22005-z
Zhao, S., Zhang, Z., Chen, L., Cui, Q., Cui, Y., Song, D., & Fang, L. (2022). Review on migration, transformation and ecological impacts of microplastics in soil. Applied Soil Ecology, 176, 104486. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2022.104486
Zuada, L. H. (2024). Apakah Ormas Keagamaan Punya Kapasitas Untuk Menambang? The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/apakah-ormas-keagamaan-punya-kapasitas-untuk-menambang-232025
Tonna, M. (July 12, 2024). The Evolution of Symbolic Thought: At the Intersection of Schizophrenia Psychopathology, Ethnoarchaeology, and Neuroscience. Culture, Medicine, and Psychiatry, 48, 900-917. DOI https://doi.org/10.1007/s11013-024-09873-5
K. Tylén, R. F. (February 18, 2020). The evolution of early symbolic behaviour in Homo sapiens. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA, 117, 4578-4584. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1910880117
Pristiandaru, D. L. (2024, 10 14). Kompas.com. (Kompas) Dipetik May 2025, dari Kompas.com: https://lestari.kompas.com/read/2024/10/14/150000086/deforestasi-ri-terburuk-kedua-di-dunia-1-18-juta-hektare-hutan-rusak?
Nasir, M. B. (2023, February 27). Environmental Management of Coal Mining Areas in Indonesia: The Complexity of Supervision. Society and Natural Resource, 36, 534–553. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/08941920.2023.2180818
Dimas Akmarul Putera, N. F. (2025, February 11). Advancing Electric Vehicle Safety and Adoption in Indonesia: Insights from Global and Local Perspectives. Engineering Proceedings, 84(1), 52. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/engproc2025084052
Kimin Eom, S. T. (February 13, 2023). The Potential of Religion for Promoting Sustainability: The Role of Stewardship. Topics In Cognitive Science, 15, 480-499. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/tops.12641
de Diego-Cordero R, M.-H. A.-J.-J. (February 24, 2025). Ecospirituality and Health: A Systematic Review. Journal of Religion and Health, 63, 1285–1306. DOI: 10.1007/s10943-023-01994-2
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Mochamad Ziaul Haq, Benedict Erick Mutis, Gerardette Philips

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.










