The Creation: A Call for Humanity to Save Life on Earth

In his bold work, Edward O. Wilson advocates for a partnership between science and religion to address the urgent crisis of Earth's declining biodiversity.

Dear Pastor,

While we have not had the opportunity to meet, I feel a sense of camaraderie that allows me to refer to you as a friend. We were both raised in the same faith. Although I no longer identify with that belief system, I trust that if we were to engage in a heartfelt conversation about our core beliefs, it would be conducted in an atmosphere of mutual respect and goodwill. I reach out to you now seeking your wisdom and assistance. Together, let us try to find common ground beyond metaphysical debates, focusing instead on the tangible world we inhabit. I propose that we set aside our differences to protect Creation, as defending the natural world is a value that transcends all religious or ideological barriers. It is a cause that, without bias, serves the interests of humanity as a whole.

We urgently need your support, Pastor. Creation — our living Nature — is facing a grave crisis.

"The Creation" is E. O. Wilson's most significant work since "Sociobiology" and "Biophilia." Much like Rachel Carson’s "Silent Spring," this book is a profound reflection on our planet's fate and the survival of life itself. While Carson focused on the detrimental effects of insecticides and ecological devastation, Wilson, a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, aims to instigate a social revolution by connecting the seemingly opposing realms of fundamentalism and science. He draws from his extensive background as an entomologist, combining personal experiences with scientific knowledge to highlight a dire prediction: by the end of this century, half of the world's plant and animal species may face extinction.

Remarkably, "The Creation" does not come across as a caustic or predictable condemnation of fundamentalist Christians or those who dismiss Darwinian theory. Rather, Wilson, a prominent secular humanist, reflects on his roots as a boy in Alabama who "took the waters," striving to engage with modern Christians on their own terms rather than rebuke them. Conceptualizing the book as a heartfelt letter to a Southern Baptist minister, Wilson employs evocative language reminiscent of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter from Birmingham Jail." He seeks to enlighten this everyday minister about the true origins of our world and implores these religious leaders to recognize the catastrophic damage currently afflicting our planet.

Wilson advocates for collaboration, asking for their assistance in averting further destruction of Earth before it becomes irrevocable. Far from being a pessimist, he is optimistic about the potential for solutions that might still save our planet. The vision he articulates in "The Creation" is one that he believes can inspire both scientists and pastors to work together, despite any fundamental ideological rifts that may exist between them.

Through this urgent call to action, Wilson encourages a united front to confront the environmental challenges of our time, emphasizing that the stewardship of our planet is a collective responsibility that transcends belief systems. In these trying times, we must come together for the sake of creation itself.

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