ABSTRACT
To a large extent, taking into consideration colonial Latin America, liberation theology shares the romantic and the Marxist criticism of modern and capitalist civilization. This critique finds itself articulated through the liberation project, which concedes to utopia a crucial role in the defense of humanity and nature. By analyzing the works of Brazilian theologian Leonardo Boff, readers are able to observe the critique that is carried out in the theology of liberation, which denounces the destructive dynamic of capitalism. According to Boff, the cry of the poor must be linked to the cry of the Earth, because the capitalist system exploits not only the wretched workers but also destroys nature. On the other hand, the link between liberation theology and ecology is not only an interesting topic for the religious sciences but also a vital aspect of our times: environmental disaster, increased poverty, food and sanitary crisis, hedonistic individualism, and alienation. Thus, the study of ecological aspects within Latin American Liberation theology (including social movements as the Landless Workers’ Movement) contributes to a better understanding of the role of religion in social struggles.
