question for christians

Emilyfimily said:

good question
Beats the heck out of me. I've wondered that myself. I'd consider myself a strong Christian - born and raised Southern Baptist - but, I don't think Global Warming's a farce. Seems pretty obvious to me. Boy, my mother-in-law lets me know all about it, though. A lot of my friends and family believe Global Warming's non-existant, the Earth/Universe was made in 7 24 hour days, Darwin was a moron headed straight for hell, etc etc etc. They believe if a non-Christian told them something "questionable" well it's probably unBiblical. I don't know why some folks are so hard headed and closed minded like that. Pretty silly, really. A lot of far right and even middle of the road Christians believe "Well it happened because God said so." Well, yeah, basically... but then they are afraid to wonder *how* He did things. Like maybe they'll be blaspheming or something if they wonder about something that's not written as a literal sentence in the Bible. Silly. There are a lot of scientific explanations left out of the Bible. Probably because they're not important in the grand scheme of things anyway(Christianity-wise) and a lot of people wouldn't understand them anyway.
....The Bible also doesn't say I had eggs for breakfast, but that doesn't mean I didn't have eggs for breakfast....

uuuuuuh, yeah I rambled
uuuuuuh, yeah I rambled slightly, but guess you get my drift

A Christian Response...
Hi Marcia,

I hope you are not basing your opinions about Christians on the e-mail spam you are getting in your inbox! Ouch! Please... say it ain't so! You are right in realizing that Christians can't be lumped together any more than Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, or Atheists can. Generalizations are seldom fair when judging others.

So I offer this as "a Christian Response" as opposed to "The Christian response". Our collective views, and resultant lifestyles, are probably about as diverse as any other group.

The PEW Forum has some information on the views on Global Warming by American religious groups. You'll find the results of a recent survey here...
Global Warming

In terms of "belief" about global warming "Evangelical Christians" indicate the lowest level of belief in "global warming due to human activity" (34% vs 47% National Average). Even so, only 31% of Evangelicals believe there is "No Global Warming" compared to 21% of the National Total. They are just not as certain as to cause as other groups. Mainline Christians are more or less in line with the general population (as usual!)

I expect there would be a significant age differential amongst Evangelicals with those under 40 being much more concerned about environmental issues in general and climate change in particular.

Here is the website for the Evangelical Climate Initiative.
Christians and Climate
This is a significant evangelical initiative and clearly calls Christians to move beyond belief and to join with others in taking action on climate change.

"Now is the time for followers of Christ to help solve the global warming crisis. There is overwhelming evidence that human activity is a major cause, and we know that the impacts of climate change would be hardest on the poor and vulnerable, and on future generations. We need to act, and everyone has a role. Christian leaders can join more than 280 other senior evangelical leaders who have signed the Evangelical Call to Action on Climate Change. As Christian citizens we can learn more, make personal changes, and rally action. For policymakers, it’s time to make wise and moral choices to protect God’s world and its people. Join us. Take the next step."

Here is an example of a more "mainline Christian" response from my own church here in Canada, where climate change IS ALREADY A REALITY...
Climate Change
Our National leader was a delegate at the recent meetings in Copenhagen.

Perhaps the greater question here is...
"WHY, when there are so many who profess their BELIEF in climate change, are there so few, Christian or otherwise, who are actually DOING anything about it?"

Peace and Blessings... Rob; in Vancouver

"The time has come to lower our voices, to cease imposing our mechanistic patterns on the biological processes of the earth, to resist the impulse to control, to command, to force, to oppress, and to begin quite humbly to follow the guidance of the larger community on which all life depends." Thomas Berry

Sheees, marcia....even Al
Sheees, marcia....even Al Gore (self appointed guru of all things climate), has stopped referring to Global Warming every time the sun comes out....now they call it Climate change....perhaps you should spend more time reading and a little less time looking at pictures and bashing Christians.
The Bible doesn't refer to Climate Change in any way that would be pertinent to today's weather forecasts, it also doesn't mention Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, or any of the other topics that non-Christians like to use to belittle Christian beliefs. Those are all man-made tools of merchandising in attempt to entice people to spend their money. So is Climate Change, and so is Global Warming....get a clue.

grandmafay said:

Lurking Again
Marcia, Marcia, Marcia, I lurk here often but rarely write. I am a Christian with a strong faith. I belong to a church that is associated with a denomination that some consider progressive. I consider it one where we are trying to live Jesus message of love and inclusion. Our church sponsored a lecture called "Thank God for Evolution" given by Michael Dowd, the author of a book by the same name It was very well attended and well received. Those who deny climate change are also often the same people who deny evolution. I would agree that they deny and often fear change of any kind. They are entitled to their beliefs, but they are a faction of the Christian faith not the whole. We even have a sustainable culture committee in our church. They often bring us ideas for ways to live better with our environment and God's world. Hey, I just bought a hybrid. It may not save the world, but it does get very good gas mileage. Fay

P.S. I have received many emails that say I will receive good luck if I send them on to others within a certain time. I don't believe those either. Also, Michael Dowd was recently diagnosed and treated for cancer. He is currently without evidence of disease.

Burning Bush
If I got a burning bush instead of an email, I'd take THAT seriously. I dislike those emails or anything resembling them. I delete them right away.
Fay, it does sound like you belong to a nice progressive church. I read about one church, I can't remember it's name, but they look at Earth as God's gift to us and we are it's keepers and therefore responsible for it's well-being. It was a very good article. It's alway refreshing to see groups take the earth seriously and not treat it like it's ours to abuse.
-p

Marcia527 said:

I have a clue, Dennis. And I
I have a clue, Dennis. And I don't bash Christians. I can criticize or question as that is how we learn.

:-)
Hey there my friend Marcia, I am simply chiming in to say as a Christian I did not feel bashed so no offense there for me anyways. I thought we covered the Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy and Santa thing in Hondo's blog. I just encouraged my grandson in regards to the tooth fairy as he lost his first tooth and thankfully my good Lord did not strike me dead (just kidding of course). I too hate those e-mails that say if I send them God will bless me, I delete them if he plans to bless me it will not be due to an e-mail. In my opinion some people are just afraid (superstitious) to not send them forward. I totally agree with you Marcia if we do not ask the questions we shall never grow or learn so by all means ask away that's what this forum is for. By the way I have never told you but I love your upside down photo, it is charming much like you!


RE

PhillieG said:

Ahem....
Not to split hairs...but I will. It was I who had the Easter Bunny/Santa/Tooth Fairy post. You better watch out young lady or there will be no chocolate or marshmallow Peeps for you!
;-)
-phil

HAHAHAHAHAHA LOL LOL LOL LOL
Oh Pardon Me Mr. Phil......Marcia and all who read this let it be known Phillieg was totally responsible and not Hondo for the Easter Bunny/Tooth Fairy post.....whew glad that's over.

:-D

RE

PhillieG said:

The Right are often NOT
Great post Marcia. Even tough you gave your disclaimer "Also I realize that all Christians can't be lumped together. It seems to happen more with the far right." I noticed you had to repeat it a few times.

I don't get the debate or why it's a considered a "belief". Is gravity a belief? If someone locked you into a phone booth (remember those?) and blew smoke and exhaust fumes into there do you think it would be good for you? Same with dumping in the oceans. How much crap can it stand? If anyone thinks that there is no effect on either the climate, the air, or the oceans from how people abuse the planet then they are very out of touch with reality.

I think Joe was correct when he said that it is more of a "conservative one". I saw that when 2-3 weeks ago the BIG snowstorm hit DC and FOX News (I use the word "news" very loosely here) had commentator after commentator showing photos of the snow followed by some comment like "oh, so there's global warming? Well how come it's snowing out then?". I was watching the left-wing commie/socialist homosexual Daily Show and they put together a great montage of clips. Stewart then went on to talk about how it's getting dark out and therefore the sun is dying and there will never be light again!!!!! It was a perfect example of how knee-jerk the conservative viewpoint often is. Also, how they refuse to budge from their stance on things. Don't let FACTS get in the way.

A very frightening clip was on the other night showing the Texas School Board and how a group of 15 people dictate what is going to be in the textbooks that 80+% of ALL American children have in school. Yes, 15 Texans decide it. I work for a major textbook publisher and we cow-tow to Texas, it's very sad but they are a big market and the almighty dollar rules.

I know I strayed from your original question Marcia but there is a mentality out there that in my opinion, ties these topics together.
-p

Climate Change Denial
I agree with you Phil. To deny climate change today is a little like denying gravity. The empirical evidence and science is solid. But it is done widely and for a variety of reasons, mostly economic and political.

First deny that there is any climate change... then deny that it is caused by human activity..., then deny that there is anything we can do about it! A network like FOX has the effect of amplifying the "climate change denial" message and contributing to the propaganda. There has been a lot of money thrown at this strategy over the past few decades. Regretably it has been effective in undermining public support for proactive public policy to address the issues.

It is ironic that the same corporations and governments that will officially deny climate change (or refuse to take action in response to it) will at the same time position themselves to exploit the new bonanza of resource extraction that is anticipated in the arctic as the northern ice cap melts.

Not to let ourselves off the hook... we play into a level of "climate change denial" as long as we maintain lifestyles that assume a perpetual supply of cheap oil and gas. With our levels of consumption it is hard not to feel somewhat complicit in the whole problem. We continue to leave a large carbon footprint! Mea culpa!!

I'm rambling, so will be quiet now... Great thread Marcia...

TTFN...Rob; in Vancouver

"We are upsetting the atmosphere upon which all life depends. In the late 80s when I began to take climate change seriously, we referred to global warming as a "slowmotion catastrophe" one we expected to kick in perhaps generations later. Instead, the signs of change have accelerated alarmingly." David Suzuki