Why do so many conservatives dispute global warming and support war?

[BigMike835]

For anyone that hasn't seen it, "Why We Fight" is probably the first political documentary I've seen released that has actual facts and provides a clear look at the country we live in. It's no Michael Moore junk!

Anyway, I've been noticing how many conservative christians dispute global warming and also seem to support any and all actions made by the military seemingly without question.

Since we as God's children are called to be stewards of the Earth and not to exhaust it's resources I would think conservationism would go hand in hand with christianity. Instead you see a whole lot of knee-jerk reaction to anything that looks like conservation or environmental responsibility.

Why is this?

Also, why do so many conservative christians back all military action made especially by this president and his administration? It's either through your silence or through "supporting the troops" like it's impossible to support them without encouraging them to go to war.

What's up with that?

 

[intricatic]

I dunno. I've always thought that the idea of pumping money into a federal bureaucracy was wasteful and insignificant to solving real problems. I'm not really a conservative, though - I prefer to make any impact on the world by my life overall instead of by the few minutes I spend in a voting machine every few years.

When it comes to global warming, though, I don't really trust science in regards to that issue because it seems to me to be incredibly inconsistent. I won't negate it's possibility, but I don't think a bungling giant of a government would be able to do much about it, even if everyone in America felt the same way on this issue.

 

[Myriah]

Well, I'm not a conservative, and it's the Sabbath rest. So thankfully due to my husband's wishes, I get to leave and go rest.

I'm not conservative, so I do not support war. I do support self defense, however. Yet I thought the Iraq war went on way to long. Seek bin Laden and other terrorists cells covertly; it will be less expensive.

I also believe global warming is real. Where I live we get freezing cold winters in the Spring! The weather is nutz all over the world. I see it. It don't see any silly conspiracy?

Also, I don't know where this fits -- ie, science or politics?

Have a nice Sabbath. Take care of u r selves.

 

[tiredwalker]

It's because Fox news tells them it is a vast left-wing conspiracy. They have a line straight to God, so it must be true...and yes, I am aware that comments like these are the reason that no one this board likes me.

 

[BigMike835]

It's because Fox news tells them it is a vast left-wing conspiracy. They have a line straight to God, so it must be true...and yes, I am aware that comments like these are the reason that no one this board likes me.

...I like you!

 

[intricatic]

It's because Fox news tells them it is a vast left-wing conspiracy. They have a line straight to God, so it must be true...and yes, I am aware that comments like these are the reason that no one this board likes me.

I haven't watched Fox News in almost 2 years. I don't even know what channel it's on right now. But I can't seem to find any news channels on this infernal satellite system. In other words, I don't mind you making comments like that at all.

 

[Confess]

I do not back the war, never have. Yet I am not upset over "global warming". I believe that the earth cycles just like everything else does. We have our warmer times and our colder times. I was reading a history on my county that goes back a few hundred years. There were times of very warm winters and hot hot summers, and times of blizzards and cooler then normal summers.
There were times of drought and times of drenching rains.

I try not to get caught up in all the global warming scare for I know that when the time comes, Jesus will return. While I do believe in good stewardship, there is not a whole lot I can do when the earth is warmer or colder then normal.

As a Christian, my first priority is to witness the truth found in Jesus Christ. I would like to save the Polar Bears, but I don't think they would like my house very well.

 

[eastcoast_bsc]

I find it odd that when I was in gard school, all the teachers tallked about the new Ice age and that science backed this. They also talked about how the world would not be able to feed itself due to over population. Both scenarios never came to pass

 

[tiredwalker]

I think we are somewhere in the middle between the "Oh no!, the end of the world is near" and "Nah, it just not true" camps. We are not good stewards of the world, and it only makes sense that our vehicles and industries are harming the earth. Yes, the earth does cycle, but not quite to this extent.

I month or two ago (when it was a lovely 60 degrees here in NH) I posted a thread asking people to state one or two little things they would do to help the earth. I recieved a few pats on the head before my thread dwindled to nothing. I've been very underwhelmed by the Christian (in general of course) response to the problem. There is almost a "destroy the earth so God will come back" mentality. I think that it is laziness and stupidity.
I, however, choose to do my best so that when God does come back, he will not be ticked that I knowingly trashed his creation.

 

[overit]

I think we are somewhere in the middle between the "Oh no!, the end of the world is near" and "Nah, it just not true" camps. We are not good stewards of the world, and it only makes sense that our vehicles and industries are harming the earth. Yes, the earth does cycle, but not quite to this extent.

I month or two ago (when it was a lovely 60 degrees here in NH) I posted a thread asking people to state one or two little things they would do to help the earth. I recieved a few pats on the head before my thread dwindled to nothing. I've been very underwhelmed by the Christian (in general of course) response to the problem. There is almost a "destroy the earth so God will come back" mentality. I think that it is laziness and stupidity.
I, however, choose to do my best so that when God does come back, he will not be ticked that I knowingly trashed his creation.

Tiredwalker, right on. Yes, I'm perpexled also, but then nothing of the conservative right even though it disgusts me, shocks me anymore.

How can one possibly think that the factories/pollution/vehicles/killing of rainforests/trees/animal species dwindling/increasing construction, and that we can rape the environment and that there won't be any natural consequences... beyond me. Of course as a liberal I vehemently oppose the war.

 

[BigMike835]

I don't get the "it's really not a big deal and the left is trying to scare people" arguement. Regardless of how long the planet has until it is uninhabitable it's not a secret that so many of the chemicals we use and gasses our machines excrete are not good for the environment. For example just look at LA's sky!! Try breathing there!!! Why not put effort into fulfilling God's call to be good stewards of the Earth?

And what makes you think that global warming has anything to do with Jesus's's's return?? People naively link various bad things going on in the world to the end times almost like a justification to let it happen.

I'm convinced that the world has to become MUCH worse than it is now before any of that goes down!

And how does it look to the average person that DOES accept the fact that we're adversely affecting the environment when you say "it's no big deal" or "it's an exaggeration by the media"? Especially when they find the passages that say to be good stewards?

Regardless of if we're going to cause another Ice Age or not, you all have to admit that we are having a negative impact on the planet through the chemicals we use. It is our RESPONSIBILITY as children of God to make sure His planet doesn't get messed up any worse than it already has.

 

[teishpriest]

Our theory about global warming is that the earth is aging, and thus slowing down. Strange weather patterns are a result of this. However, I do believe that we should be responsible with our environment, it's not a good idea to pollute our water, air, food, etc. They are pretty necessary to life!

I think most would label me conservative, but I am not. What are they trying to conserve that is good????

About the war drums beating in the background... I OPPOSE them! Wars not declared by Congress are not Constitutional!!! ARGGHHH! War is such a horrible thing, and I am saddened that it has seemed to lose that horror here in America. We are war-mongers as a society, and that is a very bad thing! I feel that Christians should be fairly pasifist. I'm not completely, but close.

I don't bother watching the "news" anymore. All of them are biased, they just pick different sides. A very good radio talk show is "The American View" with Michael Peroutka and John Lofton. Not just more cheerleaders!

 

[seekthetruth909]

For anyone that hasn't seen it, "Why We Fight" is probably the first political documentary I've seen released that has actual facts and provides a clear look at the country we live in. It's no Michael Moore junk!

Anyway, I've been noticing how many conservative christians dispute global warming and also seem to support any and all actions made by the military seemingly without question.

Since we as God's children are called to be stewards of the Earth and not to exhaust it's resources I would think conservationism would go hand in hand with christianity. Instead you see a whole lot of knee-jerk reaction to anything that looks like conservation or environmental responsibility.

Why is this?

Also, why do so many conservative christians back all military action made especially by this president and his administration? It's either through your silence or through "supporting the troops" like it's impossible to support them without encouraging them to go to war.

What's up with that?

I think the question should be, why do so many conservative AMERICANS support war and deny global warming? I believe most conservative Christians in Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Western Europe accept global warming and are more prone to reject war.
I think America is more influenced by big business and money. Global warming prevention will cost big business money. Halliburton and other companies make a fortune off of War. American arms dealers need a war about every 10 to 15 years to stay in business. These companies pour money into Washington lobbyist, radio, TV and politicians, who in turn convince many American conservative Christians that war is necessary to stop the spread of communism and terrorism. They also claim that global warming is a liberal conspiracy. In other countries most conservative Christians are more cynical of politicians and big business and rely more on the Word of God.

Seek

 

[intricatic]

I think the question should be, why do so many conservative AMERICANS support war and deny global warming? I believe most conservative Christians in Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Western Europe accept global warming and are more prone to reject war.
I think America is more influenced by big business and money. Global warming prevention will cost big business money. Halliburton and other companies make a fortune off of War. American arms dealers need a war about every 10 to 15 years to stay in business. These companies pour money into Washington lobbyist, radio, TV and politicians, who in turn convince many American conservative Christians that war is necessary to stop the spread of communism and terrorism. They also claim that global warming is a liberal conspiracy. In other countries most conservative Christians are more cynical of politicians and big business and rely more on the Word of God.

Seek

IMHO; I'm more cynical of politicians than I am of big business, and I'm plenty cynical of big business. One may eventually pay my bills, the other takes money out of my paychecks. There's more potential for abuse on the government side.

 

[Nadiine]

I'm all for health, animal rights & conservation - I'm for PROPER war, not war for just any old reason.

I'm not a firm believer in global warming and there are PLENTY of scientists & other experts that show valid evidences against it.
It's not like NO contradictory documentation exists! You CHOOSE to beleive your "experts", we tend to believe the others.
Why are WE so wrong?

Lastly, as a Christian, GOD SAID HE WILL KEEP US... is God going to let the entire earth burn up before His judgment?
Do Christians trust in God or that we're all going to get burned up?

Christians don't find global warming in the bible - the ONLY place global warming might fit in prophecy is DURING THE JUDGMENTS God sends against the rebellious who reject Him.

My bottom line is the remedies to fix it are the real issue. The extremes, the restrictions, the cost... while other nations don't bother.
Cutting back is great, I already do that! I"m very aware of energy.
They always go to wacked out extremes which makes it completely unappealing to us 'normal' people lol.

PS: in the mid 70's, they were announcing Global Cooling. The fear that the earth would FREEZE. They don't have the best track records.

 

[seekthetruth909]

I'm all for health, animal rights & conservation - I'm for PROPER war, not war for just any old reason.

How do we decide what a proper war is unless your country is being attacked. Is War ethical in order to stop poor countries from embracing certain political systems like communism as a response to the poverty caused by corrupt governments? [Vietnam, South American dictatorships etc. Note: see Wikpedia]
Is War ethical to protect our oil supplies and crush democracy [Western powers attacked Iran in the 1950's and installed a dictator because it was heading towards democracy and nationalization of oil. Note: see Wikpedia] [Iraq war: debatable?]

The problem of embracing war based and what a few politicians say is that we don't have all the facts. Most of us here live comfortable lives. If we saw the devastation first hand of homes being destroyed, people being killed, children having their arms blown off, and babies being burned alive, I think we would be much more cautious in embracing war for the so called PROPER REASONS.

Many war historians say the last just war was World War 2 when it was a clear issue of self-defense against an evil aggressor.Although I believe attacking Afghanistan in response to 911 was also justified.

I'm not a firm believer in global warming and there are PLENTY of scientists & other experts that show valid evidences against it.
It's not like NO contradictory documentation exists! You CHOOSE to beleive your "experts", we tend to believe the others.
Why are WE so wrong?

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger recently said, if 95% of scientists say global warming is true and 5% say it is false, whom are you going to believe. Especially when the 5% of scientist that repute it get most of their funding from the big energy companies that would have the most to lose if global warming is really true. Even president Bush is reluctantly beginning to admit it is true.
Quote:

ABC News
Aug. 30, 2006 — A president who doesn't acknowledge the virtually universal consensus among scientists that mankind is dangerously overheating its home planet stands to be upstaged by a governor — a fellow Republican — who does.


Quote:
President Bush
"I have said consistently that global warming is a serious problem. There's debate over whether it's man-made or naturally caused…," the president told reporters in June, hours after an extreme thunderstorm felled an elm tree to the ground just outside his White House door.
The president expressed similar sentiments last March: "The globe is warming. The fundamental debate is, is it man-made or natural — but put that aside."

Complete news report http://abcnews.go.com/US/GlobalWarmi...2374968&page=2

 

[teishpriest]

IMHO; I'm more cynical of politicians than I am of big business, and I'm plenty cynical of big business. One may eventually pay my bills, the other takes money out of my paychecks. There's more potential for abuse on the government side.

DH and I have been doing a lot of research on the Federal Reserve (misnamed!) and now I'm more afraid of the bankers than anyone else! Check out the book, "The Creature from Jekyll Island"

 

[Nadiine]

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger recently said, if 95% of scientists say global warming is true and 5% say it is false, whom are you going to believe.

The same way the small percentage of Christians today preach the Bible is from God & literally TRUE while the majority reject that.

Numbers don't necessarily mean truth as we all know, and in the 70's they preached Global Cooling. I'm sure we had the same majority beating that drum.
Do we embrace something as true becuz of numbers? Not necessarily.

Worse, they RARELY solve the problem correctly; they go to wasteful spending & extremes w/ all kinds of beaurocracies & new positions to fix it...
I'm MORE skeptical of their solution than believing global warming itself!

 

[seekthetruth909]

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The same way the small percentage of Christians today preach the Bible is from God & literally TRUE while the majority reject that.

Numbers don't necessarily mean truth as we all know, and in the 70's they preached Global Cooling. I'm sure we had the same majority beating that drum.
Do we embrace something as true becuz of numbers? Not necessarily.

Worse, they RARELY solve the problem correctly; they go to wasteful spending & extremes w/ all kinds of beaurocracies & new positions to fix it...
I'm MORE skeptical of their solution than believing global warming itself!

Thank you for you reply Nadine.
I don't think we can compare accepting the word of God to rejecting the knowledge of the “ universal consensus of scientists” [ABC News]

Our relationship to God is personal. Faith means to believe in the things unseen. Once we accept God and the inerrancy of his word, we must reject anything that goes contrary to it, for example evolution. When it comes to the rest of life we usually accept what we are taught in school and we usually listen to the people who have more knowledge and education in a specialized field than we do.
Do you believe the world is round? Do you believe that you breath oxygen? Do you believe that if you smoke it will eventually cause lung cancer? If you do believe these things then you believe the universal consensus of scienctists. Of course some conspiracy theorist will claim the world isn’t round and we don’t breath oxygen. Some medical expert or scientists working for the tobacco industry will claim smoking will not cause lung cancer.

You and I and mostly everyone else here, are not scientists. How can we believe that we know more than they do?

If you wanted to buy a new model car and 95 independent mechanics told you that the car was a lemon, but 5 mechanics working for the car dealer told you it was a good car, would you still buy it?

As I said previously much of the time the region we live in often dictates our beliefs. American southern red state Christian conservatives mostly tend to dismiss global warming. American northern blue state Christians conservatives are probably split on the issue. The majority of Christian conservatives in the rest of the world believe in global warming.

Some Christian conservatives in parts of the US tend to put their faith in politicians and what they say on this matter, while the rest of the world listens to the science. But regardless we should all put our faith in Christ when it comes to moral issues affecting our faith, which in the case of global warming is irrelevant

Seek


PS Great post on "The Law of Grace"

 

[Nadiine]

Thank you for you reply Nadine.
I don't think we can compare accepting the word of God to rejecting the knowledge of the “ universal consensus of scientists” [ABC News]

Our relationship to God is personal. Faith means to believe in the things unseen. Once we accept God and the inerrancy of his word, we must reject anything that goes contrary to it, for example evolution. When it comes to the rest of life we usually accept what we are taught in school and we usually listen to the people who have more knowledge and education in a specialized field than we do.
Do you believe the world is round? Do you believe that you breath oxygen? Do you believe that if you smoke it will eventually cause lung cancer? If you do believe these things then you believe the universal consensus of scienctists. Of course some conspiracy theorist will claim the world isn’t round and we don’t breath oxygen. Some medical expert or scientists working for the tobacco industry will claim smoking will not cause lung cancer.

You and I and mostly everyone else here, are not scientists. How can we believe that we know more than they do?

If you wanted to buy a new model car and 95 independent mechanics told you that the car was a lemon, but 5 mechanics working for the car dealer told you it was a good car, would you still buy it?

As I said previously much of the time the region we live in often dictates our beliefs. American southern red state Christian conservatives mostly tend to dismiss global warming. American northern blue state Christians conservatives are probably split on the issue. The majority of Christian conservatives in the rest of the world believe in global warming.

Some Christian conservatives in parts of the US tend to put their faith in politicians and what they say on this matter, while the rest of the world listens to the science. But regardless we should all put our faith in Christ when it comes to moral issues affecting our faith, which in the case of global warming is irrelevant

Seek
PS Great post on "The Law of Grace"

The truth is, science is sometimes wrong & rarely do you hear them apologizing publically for it. We also don't have centuries worth of weather temperature documentation.
I'd also like to know if these scientists are on the liberal side. If they're anything like our media, that should concern us with disinformation w/ an agenda & heavy bias.

How many total decades/centuries have we kept track of weather temps around the world? Maybe the weather cycles are the same as they were 3500 yrs. ago & history is repeating itself; who would know?

I'm not convinced there is global warming - I'm also not fully opposed to it either. I have doubts, but as I said, it's their solutions that scare me more than the problems they claim exist.
& the ONLY way to solve the problem is enforce all major nations to comply to the SAME standards (just for starters).
It isn't & shouldn't be ALL America's blame, work and cost to help fix it if it's true.