Fertile, Social, Dangerous, Sacred, Gift, and System: Religion and the Ambiguity of Human Excreta

Excreta, specifically human feces, as in poop, is an understudied phenomenon in the study of Religion. Yet, ancient texts and contemporary contexts speak to its importance for the lives of human individuals and the environment. There is a dual sanitation crisis plaguing the planet. On one hand, there are 3.5 billion people who do not have a dignified, private place to relieve themselves. On the other hand, the copious use of resources to flush (and then extract) feces and urine from fresh water is straining municipal systems. Much more than a technical problem, however, the crisis and its solutions require asking religious, psychological, and social questions. Paying attention to the dynamics of power, worldviews, and practices elucidate why the porcelain toilet system is so entrenched, even in places where ecological sanitation alternatives exist. This paper hones in on the religious dimensions of this question, theorizing that our sh*t is sacred.