The biblical truthiness that God created the Earth for humans to use has overtaken the biblical truth about nature’s intrinsic value, so much so that people are blinded to what’s actually written
Climate change denial from the Book of Hesitations
Ann Alexander’s Blog, NRDC’s Switchboard
This is a powerful response to the Rush Limbaugh and Tea Party claim that God has given us the right to destroy the earth.
Above all, Scripture tells us, in the words of Christ, “The truth shall set you free.” Blind climate change denial, which angrily ignores the overwhelming scientific consensus, is not truth. Nor are claims that the Bible justifies rapacious exploitation of our planet. The truth is that our society has taken a serious wrong turn away from the Biblical ideal of renouncing material greed and caring for the Earth. Acknowledging that truth could set us free from our reckless fossil fuel-consumptive habits, and the grim climatic future they portend.
There really is no excuse to ignore this crisis any longer. It’s already too late.
About Sharon Wilson
Sharon Wilson is considered a leading citizen expert on the impacts of shale oil and gas extraction. She is the go-to person whether it’s top EPA officials from D.C., national and international news networks, or residents facing the shock of eminent domain and the devastating environmental effects of natural gas development in their backyards.
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When all the Barnett Shale churches signed gas leases without thinking about the effects (whether perceived or real or some of both) it would have on their neighbors, they severed themselves from the true teachings of Christianity. Not to mention becoming some of the worst witnesses to God's love. I don't follow the Church, I follow God. That's why I chose my neighbor OVER a gas lease bonus check. Will the true Christians please stand up. The easy path is rarely the right one, and that bonus money was so easy.
The operative word from the New Testament is "stewardship". We, as individuals and as a "race", have been given physical, environmental, and social opportunities in the course of our natural life. A steward will have to give a full accounting for his/her decisions and actions. I wonder what the Creator will react when people's accounting includes "I've exploited and made a lot of money. I even used some of MY profit to help charitable causes. Wanna see my tax-deduction papers?"
The Bible speaks to this repeatedly: One does not gain or profit at the expense of another. God wants us to be healthy and prosperous, and has given Man dominion over the Earth-but dominion does not mean destruction. I am superior to my domestic animals-but superiority isn't blanket permission to mistreat them. If anything, it means I'm responsible for their care and welfare. Mineral 'rights' are man's law, not God's. Mineral right owners need to be good stewards, and care for their neighbors. Operators also need to be good stewards as well-to Mother Earth.
Preach it brother Tim. The Barnett Shale is the quintessential example of a zero-sum game. Someone has to lose, for someone else to gain.