Thomas Berry

North Carolina · born or raised1914–2009

American priest (1914–2009)

Born in Greensboro
Died in Greensboro

theologian, cultural historian, writer, environmentalist, historian

Quotations with a citation

We … wish especially to outline the conditions for entering a future that will lead to the larger fulfillment for which the entire planet, as well as ourselves, seems to be destined. The first condition for achieving this objective is to realize that the universe is a communion of subjects, not a collection of objects.

Even with all our technological accomplishments and urban sophistication, we consider ourselves blessed, healed in some manner, forgiven, and for a moment transported into some other world, when we catch a passing glimpse of an animal in the wild: a deer in some woodland, a fox crossing a field, a butterfly in its dancing flight southward to its wintering region, a hawk soaring in the distant sky, a hummingbird come into our garden, fireflies signaling to each other in the evening. So we might describe the thousandfold moments when we experience our meetings with the animals in their unrestrained and undomesticated status. Such incidents as these remind us that the universe is composed of subjects to be communed with, not of objects to be exploited.

Our relation with the animals finds its expression especially in the amazing variety of benefits they provide for us in their guidance, protection, and companionship. Beyond these modes of assistance, they provide a world of wonder and meaning for the mind—beauty for the imagination. Even beyond all these, they provide an emotional intimacy that is unique, that can come to us from no other source. The animals can do for us, both physically and spiritually, what we cannot do for ourselves or for each other. These more precious gifts they provide through their presence and their responsiveness to our inner needs.

The universe is composed of subjects to be communed with, not primarily of objects to be used. As a subject, each component of the universe is capable of having rights.

Vegetarianism is a way of life that we should all move toward for economic survival, physical well-being and spiritual integrity.

In quality, in quantity, in significance for man's intellectual, cultural, and spiritual life, this literature in its totality is unsurpassed among all other literary traditions of the world.

This hymnal literature is not "primitive." It is highly developed in its literary form, in its intellectual insight, and in its questioning attitude. The glory of this literature, however, is its imaginative and emotional qualities. There is a deeply religious mood in the longer hymns to [God] Varuna, an awareness of divine might in the hymns to [God] Indra, a special radiance and loveliness in the hymns to [Goddess] Ushas.

In the libraries

Open Library Buddhism · 1967 View library record ↗ Open Library Religions of India · 1973 View library record ↗ Open Library Soulcraft · 2003 View library record ↗ Open Library The Dream of the Earth · 1990 View library record ↗ Open Library The Great Work · 1999 View library record ↗ Open Library Thomas Berry and the new cosmology · 1987 View library record ↗

Read Thomas Berry

Buddhism 1967 Find a copy The Dream of the Earth 1990 Find a copy Religions of India 1973 Find a copy Soulcraft 2003 Find a copy The Great Work 1999 Find a copy Thomas Berry and the new cosmology 1987 Find a copy