Sacred Resistance

This book is a moving collection of spiritual communities engaged in creative, impactful, and non-violent campaigns of environmental activism across North America. Five powerful case studies from embedded activist scholars bring readers to the frontlines of religious struggle against environmental degradation and show how it is intertwined with other forms of systemic oppression.

1) Weaving Together Resistance: Treaty Rights and Sacred Action to Stop Line 3 Winona LaDuke and Julia Nerbonne

2) Catholic Sisters and Cornfield Activism: The Fight for Green Religious Rights Mark Clatterbuck

3) Mana-Festing on a Sacred Mountain: Rites of Protection and Resistance to Protect Mauna Wākea, Marie Alohalani Brown

4) Circle of Protection: Yogis, Baptists, and Interspiritual Activists Heidi Dhivya Berthoud and Swami Dayananda

5) Earth Quaker Action Team: Spirit in Action, Lina Blount and Eileen Flanagan

“Much more than your typical edited volume. Clatterbuck has assembled five deep and rich case studies of spiritually-based eco-activism written by those engaged in the struggle. Sacred Resistance is a powerful and timely message we all need to hear.” –Jace Weaver, editor, Defending Mother Earth

“Despite the irrefutable science behind climate change and environmental degradation more broadly, denialism has contributed to the polarization of our societies, stifling much needed action on many levels. But suppression breeds resistance, even in unexpected places such as faith communities where so much of the denialism lives. Sacred Resistance chronicles stories from some of these communities, showing increasing concern about the world they are leaving to their children, and highlighting partnerships with Indigenous communities. These are bright spots in an otherwise often dark world, and now more than ever we need the hope these examples give us.” –Dina Gilio-Whitaker, lecturer, American Indian Studies, California State University San Marcos

“Non-violent direct action is one of the highest callings for people of faith concerned about climate change, and Mark Clatterbuck nails it with these stories of sacred resistance to the planet's destruction. More people of faith need to get involved in this work, for the sake of the earth and for the future of faith itself.” –The Rev. Fletcher Harper, executive director, GreenFaith