That’s what I called eco-paganism in a chapter of The Really Inconvenient Truths. I covered the church hierarchy, its catechism, its biblical revisionism, the treatment of heretics, and so on. One thing I didn’t cover was hymns. Perhaps I should have:
KLEFFEL: Atwood points out that the beginnings of her religion of the future have already appeared in the present.
Ms. ATWOOD: Indeed, we now have the Green Bible among us, which I did not know when I was writing this book, which has tasteful linen covers, ecologically correct paper, the green parts in green. Introduction by Archbishop Tutu. And a list at the end of useful things you can do to be a more worthy green person.
KLEFFEL: Atwood created a new pantheon of saints, including Rachel Carson, Al Gore and Dian Fossey, the murdered conservationist, as well as hymns, which have been brought to life by Orville Stoeber.
(Soundbite of song, Today We Praise Our St. Dian)
Mr. ORVILLE STOEBER (Singer): (Singing) Today we praise our Saint Dian, whose blood for bounteous life was spilled. Although she interposed her faith, one species more was killed.
I wonder if they’ve replaced the Agnus Dei with a more endangered species?
Hat-tip: David Boaz