caught somewhere between real life, simple faith, & raw emotion
Posts tagged Environmentalism
Shocking Environmental Activist Video: Helpful or Hurtful?
014 years
Last week I asked the question of What Kind of Environmentalism Makes Good Carbon Sense. I talked a little about what it means to me as a Christian to balance being responsible, while emphasizing that I don’t worship the earth. Now that may sound strange, but it is clear to me that extreme environmentalism has all the makings of a religion: complete with Eden (the earth before humans), the Fall (humans polluting the earth through their existence), and redemption (living Green).
I landed on that I worship the Creator, not the created. This is an important distinction. And it is how I filter through the idea of idolatry in our modern context.
I also pointed out that I believe the earth was made for us. Contrary to what some people think, I do not view humanity as some kind of parasite on this earth—that every other aspect of nature is natural, except for humans.
Below is a video that seems to come from that exact perspective. It has been making the rounds on the internet–and for good reason. Please watch it and pass it along. I believe this mindset to be very dangerous. And I think it does not honor God or his creation or his pinnacle creation (humanity).
Warning: this video is graphic.
What Kind of Environmentalism Makes Good Carbon Sense?
014 years
Good Monday morning! I hope this day finds you well. Let’s hit the ground running today.
One issue today that is always making headlines is environmentalism. Of course, as a Christian, I believe in being responsible and respectful with the world that has created for us to live on. But let me be clear: I do not worship the earth. That would be called idolatry–in the Biblical sense.
I worship the Creator, not the created. This is an important distinction. And it is how I filter through the idea of idolatry in our modern context.
But what about the environment?
Psalm 24:1-2 says:
“The earth is the LORD’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who
live in it; for God has founded it on the seas, and established it on
the rivers.”
I believe the earth was made for us. Contrary to what some people think, I do not view humanity as some kind of parasite on this earth–that every other aspect of nature is natural, except for humans. Although that may sound strange, it seems to be how this issue plays out. For example, it is okay for animals to eat each other and dominate their surroundings, but it’s not okay for humans to do the same. For some reason some hyper-environmentalists believe we should go back to some 17th century type of existence, complete with no A/C, refrigerators, or flat-screen TVs. This is where the mental in environmentalism really stands out.
So what is the balance?
That’s hard to say. I believe in common sense when it comes to carbon sense. For example, many cities are banning plastic bags. But didn’t plastic bags come about to save the trees that were needed for paper bags? The answer is bringing your own green bag right? But then I have read several stories about how those carry a bunch bacteria due to repeated use–and that is not healthy for humans either. Perhaps that is okay since humans are the true bacteria? I just don’t get it. I say just use plastic. That’s the balance for me.
One thing is for sure, I don’t need the some group of elites, activists, or bureaucrats telling me what to eat, drive, size house to live in, where to live, how many kids to have, what temperature to keep my house at, what kind of grocery bag to use for my Corn Flakes, etc (you get the idea). I reject that notion that I am to ‘stupid’ to know how to live ‘right’.
In many respects, environmentalism seems to be a religion in all aspects, complete with Eden (the earth before humans), the Fall (humans polluting the earth through their existence), and redemption (living green). And it is littered with moralism, which is strange since so many hyper-environmentalists constantly moan about alleged breaches in the separation of church and state.
One of the new trends out there is the whole Carbon Credit thing. The funny thing is, every country where this is being implemented proves it doesn’t actually improve the environment. That begs the question, what is this really about? Not the environment, that’s for sure. Someone sent me an interesting website dealing with this stuff called http://carbon-sense.com. You might want to check it out.
Again, as a Christian, I am always trying to find that balance on this issue. So I am always reading stuff. Here is an interesting excerpt from that website. What do you think?
The Chairman of “Carbon Sense”, Mr Viv Forbes, said that man will never control climate.
“Noah did not blame cooking fires for the flood – he built a boat before the rain came”.
Forbes explained:
“It’s time to stop wasting money trying to control the climate – this
will be no more successful than slaughtering sacrificial goats, even if
tax payers and electricity consumers are to be the goats.
“Man will never control the climate. Wealthy societies can and do
improve their local environments of air, land and water. But to think
that trading carbon credits, taxing carbon, or subsidising carbon
geo-sequestration, wind towers or ethanol production will improve our
climate is delusionary…”
More items in this newsletter:
- Greens aim at a black future for all Australians
- Making Things still Matters
- Bio-Bug – the Car for Canberra has been invented
- Bed Bugs for Breakfast?
- Finally, the Voltswagen
Read in full: http://carbon-sense.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/be-prepared.pdf [PDF, 46 KB]
I Hate the Green Bible
1315 years
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Now I know I might make some people mad, but I hate this new Bible. It’s called the Green Bible. Admittedly, I have not read any passages in it. But it’s the idea and premise that makes me tense.
So what is it?
The Green Bible highlights all the ‘environmental’ passages throughout the Bible in GREEN. Here’s how they put it:
The Green Bible seeks out the word of God for our diminished planet. Its sources range from the Hebrew and Christian scriptures to religious and political leaders, scientists, and environmentalists today. Their voices bring home the urgent task we face: to mend our household which is Creation, and to inspire hope that life will continue—and flourish—for all Earth’s beings.
This seems to be an answer/alternative to the red-letter Bible. And I sort of have a problem with it. It’s not the I am an eco-destroyer. It’s just that I like Jesus. He is key to everything. Everything we do should point to him–not the environment. I appreciate the value of making new ways of creating conversations about God. Heck, my book is called 10 Things I Hate About Christianity.
God warns us in the 2nd commandment not to worship anything but him. Not some image we’ve created. Not something he created. Not nature. The apostle Paul warns us to worship the Creator over what he’s created. We have to be very careful about subtle ways of taking our emphasis off of Jesus.
Is this a neat new conversational tool? Or is it a subtle, but dangerous, deemphasis of the central character and message in the Bible–Jesus and God uniting humanity with himself through Jesus? I don’t like diluting Jesus from anything for any reason. It makes me mad.
I think I’d like these Bibles to get recycled. But if you need to grab a Bible while you’re on your way to hugging some trees, saving some whales, and eating some falafel, get the Green Bible.
