A group of influential US evangelicals has launched a campaign to persuade Americans that being a good Christian also means tackling climate change. The 86 leaders are running prominent adverts in newspapers and on TV urging Christians and the US government to do more to cut carbon dioxide emissions. Evangelicals have been staunch Bush supporters but this push puts them at odds with presidential policy.
The religious right has embraced environmental issues in recent years, most notably with a “What Would Jesus Drive?” campaign against sports utility vehicles.
Better late than never.
This would go with a Christians believe about the creation of the earth. For a Christian that believes in the creation of the world in 7 days, they would view the earth as a gift from God, and the Bible does say to be good stewards of the gifts that God gives us.
Also many Christians that would embrace environmental issues would not want to be called an “environmentalist” because the way some of the tree worshipers have perverted that term. We (well me at lest) would rather be referred to as be Good Stewards of the Environment.
What am I doing to help, beyond recycling, does not using any gas in a car count; I bicycle or take PT or walk every where. The biking has allowed me to get some great pictures of Pittsburgh.
I don’t own a car for many reason, 1) pollute to much (ever been stuck behind one on a bike, I chock almost all the time then) 2) cost to much to keep up 3) insurance cost to much even if you don’t drive it. 4) gas cost to much (2.30 a gal no thanks) I rather spend that money I save by not having a car on buying other technology, plus I am not a slave to the car, also I am more healthy for it.
You mean that good stewardship applies to the environment too, and not just money? I feel so deceived right now……
Buy a hybrid vehicle, throw some solar panels on the roof of your house, use LCD or Plasma instead of CRT TVs and computer monitors (especially the old 400/500w big-screens), use 40w light bulbs instead of 60w and use 60w where you would use 100w, lower your themostat to the lowest comfortable temp. in winter and do the opposite in the summer, only buy energy-star approved appliances when you need to replace the ones you already have, and re-insulate your home with modern materials. Doesn’t sound like much, but those are the recommendations for cutting consumer energy demand by a massive 33%. Problem is that nobody will do it. I’m on the market to get the hybrid, and I’m investigating the solar panel (to charge a UPS that powers home lighting, after a sunny day it will run all home lights for a couple of hours before drawing on utility electric feed.) I’ve done everything else. Anybody want to stop complaining about the situation and join people like me in doing something about it???
Yes it applies to the environment, it applies to every thing we have — food,computers,paper,talants,time,etc.
Jason, I think there’s no shortage of folks in the DU Army making the same decisions you suggest. The rate at which I adopt much of this new technology is governed pretty much by being a retired old fart living off his SSA. But, this year should see changing out our two hot water heaters to instant-on technology. Something that few remember to do.
Long range, as prices continue to come down, I’d like to erect a small wind generator in the back meadow. We have a half-assed right to sell electricity back into the monopoly grid [at wholesale rates, of course] and high desert prairie ain’t shy on wind.
Our home was built 20 years ago with passive solar siting in mind and it truly makes a significant difference. January outdoor temps in the 20’s and 30’s still finds us with 70’s in the house — long after the morning fire in our wood-burning stove is out. Free heat is always welcome.
We need a fullsize truck and a true hybrid isn’t yet available in that configuration. My wife considers her 20-year-old Volvo a family member [200,000+ miles] and won’t replace it until some cataclysmic failure. Probably a hybrid, then.
Rock on!
Eideard,
Don’t “retired old farts” save on electricity by hitting the early-bird special and getting to bed before dark? :^)
Cool on the wind turbine. Build your own: http://www.otherpower.com/17page1.html
Of course, my comment to you would not be complete if I did not taunt you with: ditch the hybrid, buy a diesel! :^) (run on hombrew bioD, of course)
Ryan
Hi, Ryan. How about a diesel-hybrid? It’s not especially public; but, Mercedes has a dozen such vans testing around the States. My budget is premised on keeping my old pickup going another couple decades, though. Homegrown bio-d isn’t likely on a couple of acres. But, it’s available in our local service stations.
Paul T has led some interesting discussion on tips as simple as shutting down all the geek hardware [everything that has a transformer] at night instead of letting it run 24/7. I’ve knocked back my elec bill about 20%.
I’m afraid building the electrical stuff myself will always be beyond someone who needs the manual to change batteries in a flashlight. My geekiness is strictly plug’n play and software.
My favorite part of the article is the predictable part about those hard-core evangelicals who don’t want to talk about anything but their own agendas, and who consider any other discussion a distraction from themselves. They not only want the front seat next to the President, but they fully expect to be the one driving. Thus:
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“[T]he latest move has prompted a backlash from some of the most influential conservative Christians. James Dobson’s Focus on the Family called it a “distraction” from abortion and family values.”
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And Richard Land of the Southern Baptist Convention is also in a snit. Big surprise.
I do have to ask myself, on another note, what is the significance of having the author of “The Purpose Driven Life,” leaders from the Salvation Army and World Vision, and others advocate dealing with climate change. I see that, and I just shrug my shoulders and say, “So what?”
KB: Just remember those people don’t speak for all Christians, and please don’t get me started on Rick Waran, or Dobson, I really don’t like those people…. OOOH I play RPG games someone get Dobson on the phone he would have a sh** fit. Ok if I seam a bit hostal to those people you listed, I am a bit, I belive they hurt Christianity more then they help it.
It’s refreshing to see evangelicals talking about something other than the evils of abortion and “family values” (Dobson’s code word for his obsession with destroying gay people).
And Michael, be proud of the “environmentalist” monicker. It’s a good word. Take it back from the tree-huggers the way some of us need to take back the word “Christian” from the Dobsons and Falwells of the world.
Michael
You mentioned a very important point. These “evangelicals” do not speak for all Christians. Nor does the Pope, Archbishop of Canterbury, Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, Randell Terry, or James Dobson. At most any of these people speak for a small constituency.
There is nothing wrong with the term “environmentalist”, regardless if someone suggests the term has been hijacked. Webster defines it as, “one concerned about environmental quality, especially of the human environment with respect to the control of pollution”
Does this mean those fat ass christian fundamentalists won’t be tossing their MacDonald’s burger wrappers on the side of the road any longer? Thank the lord for that…
You would think the poor would be helped more by economic development than shutting down factories over carbon dioxide emissions.