Transforming Religion in the Anthropocene

Dear Colleagues,

The influence of human actions and interactions on the environment has increased in the last two centuries, and it is now evident across a multitude of dimensions, manifesting in various forms such as climate change, the widespread presence of plastics in soil, sea, and organisms, and the alarming rate of species extinction. The ramifications of human activity are both ubiquitous and profound. To encapsulate these transformative processes, Paul Crutzen and Eugene F. Stoermer introduced the concept of the Anthropocene in 2000, thus bringing up a highly debated concept across various fields of research. They argued that humans must be recognized as a geological force altering the structure and functioning of the Earth System as a whole, consequently stating a rupture in the natural processes exacerbating living conditions. According to this understanding, the Earth is no longer a natural ecosystem that is disturbed by human activities, but rather can be seen as a ‘humansystem’ in which natural ecotypes are embedded.

Crutzen proposed that the onset of industrialization, along with its consequent atmospheric pollution, should be considered as a starting point (and, therefore, as a Golden Spike) for the Anthropocene. This proposal was initially based on the obvious but important observation that the expanding knowledge in the field of natural sciences, as well as their culmination in technology and its progress, are a major reason for the increasing power of humankind over nature and the world as a whole. Secondly, this suggestion implicitly linking the Anthropocene with globalization and a globalized economic market situation with a specific exploitative way of treating the environment. However, Crutzen’s perspective is not universally accepted; others argue that the alterations resulting from these processes occurred in various regions at different times and with varying impacts and intensities, and cannot be understood as a solely global phenomenon. Consequently, it becomes evident that local developments, cultures, and their (religious) worldviews must be considered. The Anthropocene not only reflects a particular approach to nature, but also serves as both an expression of and an influence on our belief systems. In this context, culture and religion are interwoven with the dynamics of the Anthropocene, both shaping and being shaped by it.

Crutzen describes the advent of the 21st century as a new phase of the Anthropocene, characterized by growing awareness of human impact at a global scale and initial efforts to establish governance systems addressing these challenges. Indeed, scholars from various disciplines, including theology and religious studies, are increasingly engaging with the complexities presented by the Antropocene. Departing from its geoscientific origins, the concept of the Anthropocene highlights a deeper issue within human–nature dynamics that can inspire valuable reflections on religion and culture regarding their attitudes towards contemporary ecological crises. Given the intricate interplay between culture, its underlying (religious) belief systems, and global processes of the Anthropocene, there exists a significant gap in understanding how various worldviews influence approaches to nature. Whether affiliated with traditional religious frameworks or more fluid alignments, these belief systems, being part of established cultural worldviews and embedded narrative views on the world, human, future, and nature, play a crucial role in shaping human interactions with the environment.

This Special Issue aims to understand the mutual influence of technological progress, globalization, and humanity's increasing impact on nature on religious beliefs, spirituality, and practice. By illuminating the ways in which (religious) worldviews and cultural narratives inform attitudes toward ecological crises, stewardship, and the exploitation of natural resources, this Special Issue seeks to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and provide insight into the intricate relationship between religion, worldviews, culture, and environmental transformation.

Research areas may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Mutual influence of religion(s) and human interaction with nature.
• Transforming of religion(s) due to globalization and global market dependencies.
• Belief in technology and technological progress and its impact on human worldviews.
• New or adapted rituals addressing environmental grief, hope, or acitivism.
• Various religious traditions in their interpretation of climate crisis.
• End-times narratives: Doom or renewal?
• Religious concepts of nature and their influence on our attitude toward the environment.
• Creation, stewardship, apocalypse, redemption: How (ancient) stories inform current environmental ethics.
• Shifting (religious) worldviews: The power of experience and facing the ecological crisis.
• Spiritual and moral questions about humanity’s exploitative attitude toward nature.
• Limits of human agency: Humility vs. hubris in religious thought.

We request that, prior to submitting a manuscript, interested authors initially submit a proposed title and an abstract of 200–300 words summarizing their intended contribution. Please send it to the Guest Editors, Prof. Dr. Patrick Becker (patrick.becker@uni-erfurt.de) and Ms. Claudia Gialousis (claudia.gialousis@kt.rwth-aachen.de), and CC the Assistant Editor, Ms. Margaret Liu (margaret.liu@mdpi.com), of Religions. Abstracts will be reviewed by the Guest Editors for the purposes of ensuring proper fit within the scope of this Special Issue. Full manuscripts will undergo double-blind peer review.

A tentative timeline:

Deadline for abstract submission: 31 January 2026
Deadline for full manuscript submission: 30 May 2026

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Patrick Becker
Guest Editor

Claudia Gialousis
Co-Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Religions is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• anthropocene
• globalization
• technology
• technological progress
• ecological crisis
• nature
• (cultural) narratives
• Human-nature-dynamics
• (religious) worldviews