Living by Law or by Water? Comparing the Influence of Environmental Religious Legal Rulings in Egypt, Jordan, and Israel on Societal Sustainable Action

Abstract

This thesis analyzes the potential success of environmental religious rulings of religious institutions in the Middle Eastern countries of Egypt, Jordan, and Israel to influence societal sustainable action. In addition to the question of degree of success of influence, the thesis asks whether success in influencing sustainable action is correlated with an expansion of the rule of environmental law to the jurisdiction of religious authorities. The thesis makes an original contribution to the scholarly conversation regarding a comparison of practical ecotheology as expressed through religious law as opposed to ethical environmental considerations which are traditionally discussed in existing ecotheology scholarship. The thesis begins with an introduction, followed by a theoretical review of the intersection between religion, the state, law, and the environment. It then discusses the history, function, and significance of religious rulings in addition to the fundamental ecotheological teachings and texts in both Islam and Judaism. For each country, the history and function of the religious institutions are analyzed, followed by a review of rulings with environmentally relevant topics, a review of the environmental issues themselves, and an analysis of their existing or potential success in influencing sustainable action. The thesis concludes that each country has varying degrees of success in influencing sustainable action, which is correlated with the degree of expansion of environmental law to the jurisdiction of religious actors.