A Conservation Biologist and a Theologian Walk into a Sacred Natural Site

Abstract

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The increasing interest among conservationists in sacred natural sites (SNS) prompts an exploration into how environmental scientists perceive and interpret the sacredness of these sites. The growing body of literature on SNS reveals an emerging dialogue within the science-and-religion debate, presenting an opportunity to reexamine the local and contextual character of the debate. The trend also underscores the potential for mutual learning. If religion scholars pay attention to scientific research on SNS and engage with its findings, they could enhance their comprehension of secularization, explore the dynamic character of the sacred, and embrace interreligious perspectives. In contrast, conservationists could also benefit from the insights of religious studies, theology, and cultural anthropology. These insights offer a nuanced understanding of cultural practices such as taboo and ritual, a recognition of the value of indigenous knowledge systems, and a caution against the limitations of scientific reductionism.