“The way up is down”: Norwegian church leaders’ perspectives on degrowth

Abstract

This thesis explores eleven Norwegian church leaders’ perspectives on degrowth and how they relate to this concept in their work. Some central findings are that respondents experience degrowth-thinking as a familiar idea, which they associate with Miljøpartiet De Grønne (The Green Party) and the environmental movement. The church leaders expressed different views on whether the Bible contains justifications for degrowth or not. Independently of their positions, they particularly mentioned five aspects to justify their favourable views on degrowth: a stewardship-responsibility; a calling to stand up for vulnerable groups; ideals of equality and justice; an ideal of living simply like Jesus; and a warning against the moral dangers of wealth. Two leaders also challenged degrowth by arguing that it could be harmful for poor individuals and that the biblical idea of stewardship includes caring for human development. Furthermore, the church leaders stressed different views on whether, and if so, how, churches could and should play a role in promoting degrowth. Several Church leaders expressed that churches should be cautious about taking a standpoint on degrowth as a political agenda. At the same time, they are positive to promoting and working for degrowth-related ideas such as sharing of one’s wealth and living a simpler life at an individual level. The church leaders take practical measures either individually or in their churches that may be considered related to degrowth and they justified these measures by referring to the church’s mission to take care of the Earth, promote justice or stand up for vulnerable groups in society. The suggested parallel between biblical ideas and degrowth may constitute an opportunity for the degrowth movement to reach a new target group, as well as confirm the importance of religion in development research.