God will save the planet...

[anonymous1515]

Alright, this might sound like a very silly, or even rude question, but I was just wondering what you guys think...

I've been looking over other Christian forums online, and I noticed that among very conservative Christians, there seem to be some believers (not all of course!) who believe that Global warming is a myth, and that human activities have no impact on the environment. Furthermore, I've read a few quotes where people actually believe that even IF the world ends up in terrible jeapordy as a result of human action, that God will save us - as such, they don't believe in living in an environmentally friendly manner, nor doing anything to protect the environment.

Is this part of being a very conservative Christian, or are these beliefs simply held by ignorant individuals who are taking the Bible way out of context? What are your thoughts?

 

[cantata]

Even worse, there are a few Christians (not, of course, a majority) who think that global warming is predicted in Revelation and actually welcome it because they think it will speed up the Second Coming of Christ.

 

[anonymous1515]

Even worse, there are a few Christians (not, of course, a majority) who think that global warming is predicted in Revelation and actually welcome it because they think it will speed up the Second Coming of Christ.

oh my...

 

[TheManeki]

I don't have the book in front of me, but I recollect an anecdote reported in Gershom Gorenberg's The End of Days on that subject: One of the senior executives from Ford Motor Company was asked about his opinion on global warming, and he replied that he wasn't concerned, since the world would be ending soon, just like the Bible says (or more accurately, just as his interpretation of the Bible said).

I have a lot of problems with this approach, and particularly with the Biblical interpretation that takes John 12:8 ("You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.") since they say that it is hopeless to fix earthly problems, and we should just wait for things to be divinely fixed in a better world. If there are problems in the here and now, we need to address them in the here and now, and work to remedy things as best as we can. Even if the task is daunting.

It also strikes me as odd that many people who believe problems like global warming and poverty cannot not be addressed in this life still have no trouble wanting to push other moral "fixes" like banning books, gay marriage, liquor sales, etc.

 

[allhart]

Don't you realize you don't have control on life only choices.( Oh) no! global warming we're going to die. As the Rich get richer and the poor get the short coming.

 

[anonymous1515]

Don't you realize you don't have control on life only choices.( Oh) no! global warming we're going to die. As the Rich get richer and the poor get the short coming.

I'm confused by your post. Are you saying that there is nothing we can do to stop global warming? I certainly hope not...

 

[cantata]

Don't you realize you don't have control on life only choices.( Oh) no! global warming we're going to die. As the Rich get richer and the poor get the short coming.

Full sentences are good for the soul.

 

[HannahBanana]

One quote by (the horrendous) Ann Coulter on this topic that really gets my hackles up is this: "God says, '[The] Earth is yours. Take it. Rape it. It's yours.'" And sadly, many Christians believe the exact same thing, that our planet doesn't matter at all and that they can do whatever they want to it and not have to face any sort of adverse consequences.

And then the fact that Al Gore lied in "An Inconvenient Truth," and the fact that he doesn't even try to stop pollution himself (he flies in a jet, for goodness sake!) just make people (especially those who are skeptic of science in the first place) not want to take global warming seriously.

Why can't there be a non-hypocritical person to head the cause of global warming?

 

[Merlin]

Personally,
I disagree with the idea of human caused global warming.
The planet has heated and cooled many times without humans.

 

[gwenmead]

A conservative Christian reluctance to accept global warming might have to do with a number of things.

Conservatives traditionally tend to balk at big government. If conservatives perceive that efforts to slow global warming will lead to an increase in government oversight and regulation (of business, for instance), that probably sticks in their craw something good.

The ultra-religious frequently have a mistrust of science, so a disbelief of any evidence in favor of global warming might be a factor too. So could certain interpretations of people's favorite holy books, or a particular view of Revelation and end times theology (which Cantata has pointed out).

SoAmazinglyBlessed's quote from Ann Coulter reveals another ugly little truth about a lot of conservatives: there's a certain sense of materialism and entitlement that goes along with the position. Materialism isn't necessarily bad, but can lead to a willingness to exploit all kinds of resources for gain without consideration of future consequences.

Plus I suppose it's just hard to think of what kinds of impact one's actions will have, if the impact isn't even going to show up for another couple of generations.

So it's probably a lot of things.

 

[HannahBanana]

Personally,
I disagree with the idea of human caused global warming.
The planet has heated and cooled many times without humans.

So you ignore all of the evidence that says otherwise, then?

Also, what's your opinion on pollution? Do you at least think that that should be stopped (or at least lessened)?

 

[JudyB1169]

That's right and it will continue to do so until Christ returns. I subscribe to the idea that the Earth will be burned with fire as God's judgement, not that we will destroy it a t the hands of man via GW. While I do not entirely dismiss the fact that we have trashed our planet to an extent, God is sovreign and can reverse any damage caused. Saving the planet is not up to us, ultimately. We are stewards, not owners.

 

[HannahBanana]

That's right and it will continue to do so until Christ returns. I subscribe to the idea that the Earth will be burned with fire as God's judgement, not that we will destroy it a t the hands of man via GW. While I do not entirely dismiss the fact that we have trashed our planet to an extent, God is sovreign and can reverse any damage caused. Saving the planet is not up to us, ultimately. We are stewards, not owners.

Really? You honestly think that, if we keep destroying this planet at the rate that we currently are, there will be anything left for God to burn?

 

[stan1980]

That's right and it will continue to do so until Christ returns. I subscribe to the idea that the Earth will be burned with fire as God's judgement, not that we will destroy it a t the hands of man via GW. While I do not entirely dismiss the fact that we have trashed our planet to an extent, God is sovreign and can reverse any damage caused. Saving the planet is not up to us, ultimately. We are stewards, not owners.

Wow!

It's scary, insane, stupid and dangerous that some people think like this

 

[Merlin]

So you ignore all of the evidence that says otherwise, then?

Some opinions. Not evidence.

Also, what's your opinion on pollution? Do you at least think that that should be stopped (or at least lessened)?

The amount of pollution has been reduced dramatically

 

[LittleNipper]

Alright, this might sound like a very silly, or even rude question, but I was just wondering what you guys think...

I've been looking over other Christian forums online, and I noticed that among very conservative Christians, there seem to be some believers (not all of course!) who believe that Global warming is a myth, and that human activities have no impact on the environment. Furthermore, I've read a few quotes where people actually believe that even IF the world ends up in terrible jeapordy as a result of human action, that God will save us - as such, they don't believe in living in an environmentally friendly manner, nor doing anything to protect the environment.

Is this part of being a very conservative Christian, or are these beliefs simply held by ignorant individuals who are taking the Bible way out of context? What are your thoughts?

I believe ALL Christains believe that GOD will create a NEW heaven and a NEW earth because the former things will pass away. Whether global warming is real or not is not the issue. The issue is if without GOD can anyone do anything about it? Christians would say no. And frankly, I really do not see anyone doing anything that is changing anything, but they certainly are talking...

 

[HannahBanana]

Some opinions. Not evidence.

Wrong. The disappearing glaciers and the rising levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are actually evidence. Whether or not you choose to believe that they're evidence is a different issue altogether.

The amount of pollution has been reduced dramatically

Got any unbiased, professional proof of that?

 

[anonymous1515]

Some opinions. Not evidence.



The amount of pollution has been reduced dramatically

I would say that negative consequences of human impact on the environment is a fact, not an opinion. If we both look at a rabbit, and you call it a "cat"...that's not your opinion. It's simply incorrect. Also, this example is rather mundane. On the other hand, global warming and biodiversity loss are not mundane.

Merlin...the amount of pollution has not decreased dramatically. Maybe emission rates per person in the U.S. have decreased (and even then, the decreases are fairly unsubstantial - also, where is evidence for this?), but pollution in a global sense has not.

stan1980....you're right on the money. "Opinions" such as those of Merlin and Gospgirl are scary, insane, stupid and dangerous. I feel sickened to see Jesus' message so twisted....

 

[TheManeki]

Another potential side-issue regarding Christianity and global warming is that many Christians have been taught by creationist demagogues to mistrust science. (If only creationists treated their religious beliefs with as much skepticism as they treat science...)

 

[HannahBanana]

(If only creationists treated their religious beliefs with as much skepticism as they treat science...)