Cherishing biodiversity and protecting the natural environment is in full accordance with all theological principles. Theologians and religious leaders can, therefore, help develop the necessary ethical and philosophical framework for the harmonious co-evolution of humanity and the environment, and evoke the fundamental responsibility of respecting and protecting all life on our planet. It is emphasised that our day and age is characterised by a rapid increase in the main material means of survival and the pursuit of instant gratification. However, enhancement of a means to a commodious life, through the uncontrolled advancement of technology, leads to greater insecurity and unfocused behaviour. Under these circumstances, spiritual aspiration is essential, because it defends the values of humanity against the tendency of depersonalisation, provides ethical strength for the development of self-control, humility and altruism, and promotes the positive values of love, friendship and the value of the protection of all living beings.
B.I.O. has been among the first environmental organisations worldwide to link environmental protection and theology. Several leading scholars have contributed articles on theology and the environment to the volumes of proceedings from B.I.O.s international conferences, and an extensive chapter on Bio-Theology was published in 1992 in Biopolitics the Bio-Environment Bio-Syllabus, a pioneering educational tool for the inclusion of environmental issues in educational programmes and curricula.
References
TEXTBOOKS
- Bio-Syllabus for European Environmental Education
A. Vlavianos-Arvanitis (Ed.), Biopolitics International Organisation, Athens 2002, 880 pp. - BIOPOLITICS – THE BIO-ENVIRONMENT – BIO-SYLLABUS
A model global Bio-Education promoted by the International University for the Bio-Environment, 1992
PROCEEDINGS
- “The protection of life a as primary responsibility of Christian love”, Proceedings of the VIIth General Assembly of the Pontifical Academy for Life, The Vatican, 2002
- BIOPOLITICS – THE BIO-ENVIRONMENT – VOLUME II
“Bios in the Next Millennium”
A.Vlavianos Arvanitis (Ed.), Proceedings from the Second B.I.O International Conference, October 1988, (543 pp.) 1989
– Views on Biopolitics
Constantinos Bonis
– Church, theology, Bio-environment
Athanasios Angelopoulos - BIOPOLITICS – THE BIO-ENVIRONMENT – VOLUME III
“The International University for the Bio-Environment”
A.Vlavianos Arvanitis (Ed.), Proceedings from the Fourth B.I.O International Conference, January 1991, (683 pp.) 1991
– Ideologies and ecological crisis
Megas L. Farantos
– The meaning of life from the christian point of view
Meliton Karas - BIOPOLITICS – THE BIO-ENVIRONMENT – VOLUME V
“International Sakharov Festival”
A.Vlavianos Arvanitis (Ed.), Proceedings from the International Sakharov Festival (Sixth B.I.O International Conference), July 1994, (671 pp.) 1996
– Buddhism and environmental activism
Kamla Chowdhry
– Faith and Bios
Norman Solomon
– Love versus greed: a key to the prolongation of life
Gloria Castro-Gatchalian - BIOPOLITICS – THE BIO-ENVIRONMENT – VOLUME VII
A. Vlavianos-Arvanitis, Editor. Laszlo Kapolyi, Co-Editor. Eighth B.I.O. International Conference, Budapest, September 1998 (English, 271 pp.) 1999
– Christian ethics and bios
His Eminence Archimandrite Feofan
BIO NEWS
- Bio News 14
– Page 12, Pontifical Academy for Life – General Assembly - Bio News 16
– Page 9 Christian ethics and bios - Bio News 34
– Page 3, Ethics of biomedical research – Pontifical Academy for Life - Bio News 38
– Page 3, Bioethics and human dignity - Bio News 30
– Page 9, Nature and Dignity of the Human Person - Bio News 22
– Page 15, Pontifical Academy Assembly on respect for life
Events
2005
- Keynote speech, 12th International Conference of the World Society for Hellenism and Orthodoxy Athens
- As Corresponding Member of the Pontifical Academy for Life, the B.I.O. President participated in the eleventh Annual General Assembly of the Academy, The Vatican
2004
- Keynote address, 11th International Conference of the World Society for Hellenism and Orthodoxy, Union of Greek Journalists, Athens
- Participation in the tenth Annual General Assembly of the Pontifical Academy for Life, The Vatican. BioNews No. 38– April 2004, p. 3
- Keynote speech, Youth Women’s Christian Association of Greece, Athens
2003
- Participation in the Annual General Assembly of the Pontifical Academy for Life, The Vatican. BioNews No. 34 , April 2003 p. 3 Programme
2002
- Speech at the “Christian Anthropology and Bio-Technological Progress” international conference, organised by the Orthodox Academy of Crete in co-operation with the European Society for the Study of Science and Theology and the Technical University of Crete. Programme
- Participation in the Annual General Assembly of the Pontifical Academy for Life, The Vatican
2001
- Presentation at the Annual General Assembly of the Pontifical Academy for Life
2000
- Biopolitics at the Pontifical Academy for Life’s General Assembly, The Vatican. Photos
1999
- Biopolitics presentation, General Assembly, Pontifical Academy for Life, The Vatican. Bionews no. 18, April 1999,p.3
1998
- Keynote address, “The Role of Orthodoxy in the Modern World,” conference of the Society for Hellenic-American Friendship, Athens. Programme
- Participation in the Pontifical Academy for Life General Assembly, the Vatican. Photos
1997
- Appointment as Corresponding Member of the Pontifical Academy of Life
- Participation in the Pontifical Academy of Life Third General Assembly, The Vatican
- Lecture, Russian Orthodox University of St. John the Divine, Moscow, Russia
1995
1994
- Keynote address at the Conference on Theological Education and the Environment, organised under the auspices of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Chalki, Turkey. Progamme
- Lecture, Maliotis Centre, during a social event organised by the Boston Diocese, USA
1990
- Presentation at the Greek Orthodox School of Theology, Boston, USA
1988
- Bio-Theology was discussed extensively at the Second B.I.O. International Conference. “Bios in the Next Millennium,” Athens. Programme
- Keynote address, London Symposium, organised by the GreekOrthodox Bishop of Thyateira
1987
- “Biopolitics Theological Dimensions,” lecture at the World Council of Churches, Geneva
