Harvard Divinity School and the New Climate Inquisition

 Harvard Divinity School has introduced a course named "American Religious Ecofascism," which examines the intersection of environmental activism, white supremacy, and religious identity. This course explores how climate change rhetoric can sometimes adopt extremist views and be linked to harmful ideologies.

1. Course Overview:

• The course is officially titled HDS 3221 / RELIGION 1902 and is taught by Assistant Professor Nikki Hoskins.

• It focuses on how climate change discussions can intertwine with notions of white Christian nationalism.

2. Defining Ecofascism:

• Ecofascism blends environmental concerns with far-right politics, often blaming societal harms on overpopulation, immigration, and industrialization linked to non-white groups.

• It may advocate extreme measures for protecting the environment, rooted in a historical context that connects to racial and territorial purity ideologies.

3. Religious Context:

• In America, a form of ecofascism is associated with white Christian nationalism, framing ecological issues as threats to a perceived pure society.

• The course will analyze recent violent incidents where perpetrators cited ecofascist ideologies as motivations for their actions.

4. Historical Roots:

• The course seeks to identify historical precedents of ecofascism in American religious writings, suggesting that this blend of ideas is not a recent phenomenon but has deeper origins.

5. Mainstream vs. Fringe Ideas:

• While ecofascism represents a fringe ideology, the course emphasizes that mainstream religious groups typically advocate for environmental stewardship rather than violent or exclusionary tactics.

• The course also explores how climate concerns can be misused by extremist groups to advance their agendas.

6. Broader Institutional Focus:

• This course fits within a larger initiative at Harvard to examine the interplay of religion and ecology, further demonstrated by related public lectures and programs offered at the school.

7. Reactions and Discussions:

• Comments and conversations surrounding the course indicate a mix of support and skepticism regarding its aims and implications.

• Some observers express concern over the radical framing of environmental discussions in academia.

The course on American Religious Ecofascism at Harvard Divinity School aims to explore complex intersections of environmentalism and ideological extremism within a religious framework. Through this examination, it seeks to provide a deeper understanding of how climate discussions can be shaped by broader social, racial, and religious pressures, encouraging critical dialogue on these pressing issues. 

https://wattsupwiththat.com/2026/02/13/harvard-divinity-school-and-the-new-climate-inquisition/