ALTERNATIVE SPIRITUALITY AND ENVIRONMENTALISM

The relationship between religiosity and environmentalism has previous ly been examined by studying conservative versus liberal Christian aff iliation. This study explores environmentalist attitudes amongst perso ns whose religiosity does not fit conventional patterns: the so-called ''alternative'' or ''countercultural'' spiritual community (e.g, New Age, Neo-Paganism). This network of individuals finds commonalty and s olidarity not through organizational ties or a singular theology, but through an overriding ideology that challenges the alleged rigidity an d dualistic dogma of mainstream society, and so suggests a new form of social movement. Central to this critique of the mainstream is the no tion that the earth is just as sacred as the ''heavens,'' and so by pr eserving the earth, one is being ''spiritual. '' Excerpts from in-dept h interviews with 22 alternative spiritualists feature numerous key en vironmental/spiritual themes. These excerpts indicate that issues such as religiosity, ''liberal'' versus ''conservative'' affiliation, and environmental politics can take on different meanings when explored ou tside of mainline Christianity.