Gore: Christians should be stewards of Earth

[AlGore-08.com]

Source: Atlanta Journal Constitution

Former Vice President Al Gore brought his save-the-Earth campaign to an audience more used to saving souls Thursday.

(snip)

"Too many in the faith community, too many of those who call ourselves Baptists, too many spokespersons who don't speak for me but claim to speak for me, have said global warming is not real. This is just a myth," he told them.

"When did people of faith get so locked into a ideological coalition that they have got to go along with the wealthiest and most powerful who don't want to see change of the kind that is aimed at helping people and protecting God's green Earth?" Gore asked the supportive crowd.

Thousands of participants from dozens of African-American and white Baptist denominations and organizations are meeting jointly in Atlanta through Friday for the Celebration of a New Baptist Covenant. Former President Jimmy Carter helped call the groups together and spoke Wednesday night.

(more... )

Read more: http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/atlanta/stories/2008/01/31/baptistsgore_0201.html

[bluestateguy]

1. No endorsement?

Damn.

[Kutjara]

2. I appreciate Gore's commitment to building broad consensus, but...

...the idea of Christians as stewards of the Earth is equivalent in my mind to the idea of Colonel Saunders as a steward for chickens.

Still, stranger things have happened, I suppose.

[LVjinx]

4. "...the idea of Christians as stewards of the Earth "

The New Testament specifically states that "destroyers of the earth" will be cast into Hell.

[Kutjara]

5. If it ain't in Leviticus, most fundies...

...won't have heard of it.

[atreides1]

17. Which is weird

Because Leviticus has nothing to do with Christianity, it's part of the Old Testament. But the fundies they love their Old Testament concepts of punishment and obedience, and don't seem to condone the New Testament concepts of love and forgiveness.

[DemVet]

45. a statement like yours above...

"Because Leviticus has nothing to do with Christianity" makes it clear that you know nothing of Christianity. The Old Testament has EVERYTHING to do with Christianity.

[Ian David]

13. Destroyers of the Earth and poisoners of wells.

Remember, the original definition of "Witch" was a poisoner of wells.

"Suffer not a witch poisoner of wells to live."

[sandnsea]

7. Most of the world is religious

So you better hope religious people are capable of being stewards or you're sunk.

[Kutjara]

10. Read my post again.

I said "Christians," not "religious people." Not all religions are Christianity, in spite of what the fundies would like to be true.

There are many religions that practice ecological stewardship. Christianity has rarely been one of them.

[sandnsea]

11. One group of religious are the same as the next

If there were truly religious groups who were great ecological stewards, then there'd be parts of the planet that aren't polluted; and lo and behold, the whole damn ball is a steaming cess pool.

Christians are no more, no less, responsible for all the ills of the planet. It's as bigoted to say that as you blame the Christians for being.

[Kutjara]

12. Nice try.

One religious group is manifestly not the same as the next, and the world's ecological problems are due largely to capitalist exploitation of the planet's resources. And which cultural tradition did capitalism grow from? European Protestantism. Capitalism was an inevitable product of the social engine of the Protestant Reformation, just as feudalism was a natural outgrowth of early Roman Catholicism.

Even before Protestantism emerged, however, Christianity was the driving force behind geographic expansion and exploitation during Europe's "Golden Age of Exploration", as "Divinely anointed" monarchs sent conquerors to all corners of the world to "do God's work" while incidentally plundering and enslaving everyone they met.

Unfortunately, Christianity's history has been largely one of environmental and social destruction, to an extent that other "expansionist" faiths like Islam have never achieved.

In any case, there are many religious traditions whose members do their best to live in harmony with their environment, but they are a small voice in raging storm of capitalist exploitation.

[nels25]

22. No actually he is spot on

the bible does call for christians to be good stewards.

That includes their money (which the GOP flat out screws up), their time, and their possessions.

I see nothing wrong or incorrect with his statements.

They look perfectly in line with biblical teaching to me.

Remember there is more to the bible and faith than the more narrow view exposed by some on the so called right.;-)

[Kutjara]

30. I agree that his comments are...

...in line with Biblical teaching, but we all know that the religious right likes to pick and choose among the teachings they practice. The two-millenia-long history of the Christian church has been one long selective reading of the Bible. It's been used to justify greed, violence, rape, slavery, plunder, and genocide.

It would be nice to see the religious right start to practice some of the "kinder, gentler" Biblical prescriptions, but I'll believe it when I see it (and I'll still be looking for an ulterior motive.)

[JerseygirlCT]

24. Well, I think you'll need to readjust your thinking on that one

As Gore said, there has been this pull on rightwing Christians to go along with the whole GOP ideology. But that's changing. Christians are indeed called to be good stewards of this planet. It's just that some have conveniently ignored that for a while. But even now, many RW Christians are changing their thinking on that and are becoming much more aware of the needs of the environment.

[Kutjara]

29. Maybe, and I would be pleasantly surprised if...

...we saw a genuine commitment to ecological responsibility among the religious right. But two thousand years of history argues strongly against right-wing Christianity as a force for good.

Still, I can't fault Gore for trying. The more people who "see the light," the better.

[JerseygirlCT]

34. I've read about the trend, I've read remarks and sermons

by people that surprised me. It's happening, especially among the younger generation.

I know in my tradition, it's always been a part of what we consider our responsiblity to each other.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

42. Yes, I remember seeing an interview with a young "Christian rock" musician

who said that someone had persuaded him to develop an environmental consciousness by telling him that an artist ought to be concerned with preserving God's handiwork.

I'm not as literal as he is, but hey, if it works.

Now if Americans of all philosophical viewpoints could be persuaded that one of the most popular religions in America, Adoration of the Almighty Car, is REALLY damaging the planet...

[superconnected]

33. I think he's trying to turn around the support of damaging the earth

by telling christians they ought to be saving it.

He has a good message for them.

[Kutjara]

41. Absolutely, and I hope they listen.

My fingers are crossed.

[goodgd_yall]

38. They don't have a good track record, but that's not to say

they aren't bound to be stewards of the Earth if they truly follow their religions. I'm glad Gore said this to a group for whom that concept might not seem connected to doing what we can to stop global warming.

[murielm99]

3. That is what I was taught in the church

when I was growing up. Where has that gone?

[newmajority]

6. It's simple biblical doctrine, but it's often completely misinterpreted.

The creation account in Genesis 1 according to the King James Version, most commonly used in fundie churches:

26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

Dominion is the word that the fundies focus on. They confuse the word with "domination" and beleive God has given them the right to literally plunder the world however they please.

However, a more modern translation of the Scriptures, such as "The Message", provides another side to the argument:

26-28 God spoke: "Let us make human beings in our image, make them
reflecting our nature
So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea,
the birds in the air, the cattle,
And, yes, Earth itself,
and every animal that moves on the face of Earth."
God created human beings;
he created them godlike,
Reflecting God's nature.
He created them male and female.
God blessed them:
"Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge!
Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air,
for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth."

Notice how the wording here, be responsible, appears totally different from the KJV, but is really not. The intended meaning all along, as Al Gore said, was to be responsible, and be stewards of the Earth.


So the first book of the Bible tells us to take care of the Earth. And the last book of the Bible tells us God will not be happy with those who do not:

And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth. - Revelation 11:18

[FREEWILL56]

8. Even if the Bible were worded differently

those a**holes would still have domination as they do as they please and interpret to judge others all to suit themselves. That means like they are in charge and saying do as I say and not as I do or as the Bible says, but in order for them to interpret the Bible to suit themselves that would make themselves into gods and it is obviously not intended that way and they are not gods. By their own doings they condemn themselves in so many ways all the while saying they are good and they really believe it too.:crazy:

[ClintonTyree]

9. Why take care of the Earth?

They're all going to be "raptured" any minute now so it won't make any difference. Use as much oil as you possibly can. Violate the Earth anyway you want to. It doesn't matter. They're all going to heaven and this planet will be "left behind".

Seriously, I know quite a few fundamentalist christians who actually believe this. Global warming, pollution etc. mean nothing to them. They say that god gave them dominion over the Earth and they can do anything they want with it. Doesn't matter because they'll be floating on a fluffy white cloud, looking down on all the "evil" people who are wailing and gnashing their teeth because they sinned in the eyes of the lord. :puke:

It's impossible to point out their hypocrisy to them. These people are extremely dense and myopic. It's people like this who've bolstered my militant atheism. :banghead:

[Critters2]

26. "These people' are not all Christians. nt

[Mendocino]

43. Remember James Watt ?

Ray-guns Secretary of the Interior, who stated that we shouldn't worry too much about preserving the world because the end was coming right soon.

Why would a "creator" make a wondrous and beautiful place like earth and then inhabit it with humans? Just doesn't make sense. There is no god.

[Pale Blue Dot]

14. Liberal and moderate Christians are part of the problem.

We criticize evangelical Christians for "misquoting" the Bible all the time. However, liberal and moderate Christians do the same thing: they pick and choose passages of the Bible that fit with their notion of morality.

In other words, it's not your religion that is informing your morality, it is your morality that is informing your religion. Until we come to admit this, we can't even begin to solve the problems of the earth.

[krabigirl]

18. Yep

[JerseygirlCT]

25. Nope. II think you're viewing this in too narrow a way

It's not about picking and choosing. It's about whether one reads the bible literally or not. For the majority of Christians, that's not the case. The words on the page are one part of it, the interpretation of those words another, how they fit into today's world and the overarching messages of Christianity is the key.

If you take a literalist view, then sure, both rw Christians and more liberal Christians could be seen to emphasize some parts of scripture and not others. But more mainstream Christians -- the vast majority -- are not literalists. Our understanding of the Bible is not based on legalistic reading. This isn't a rule book or a text book. It's both scripture and art and mostly a tool for deepening our understanding of God.

[Ian David]

15. "Destroy them which destroy the earth" Rev 11:18 & "Thou Shalt Not Suffer a Witch to Live" Ex 22:18

Exodus 22:18 Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.
http://skepticsannotatedbible.com/ex/22.html#18


Thou Shalt Not Suffer a Witch to Live...?

<snip>

The real Biblical passage was about the disturbing crime of poisoning in the Jewish community. When that line was originally written, poisonings were a growing concern. And, in that "eye for an eye" era, the logical sentence for a poisoner was death.

More:
http://www.hollowhill.com/fun/halloween/witch-bible.htm



Also:



Revelation 11:18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
http://skepticsannotatedbible.com/rev/11.html


Young's Literal Translation
and the nations were angry, and Thine anger did come, and the time of the dead, to be judged, and to give the reward to Thy servants, to the prophets, and to the saints, and to those fearing Thy name, to the small and to the great, and to destroy those who are destroying the land.
http://bible.cc/revelation/11-18.htm


Global Warming and Man Destroying the Earth
2 Peter 3:10 And the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

The earth shall wax old like a garment.
The apostle Peter and the prophet Isaiah state that the earth is wearing out, waxing old and the elements shall melt with a fervent heat. In the book of Revelation it states that God will destroy them which destroy the earth.

Isaiah 51:6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment.

Man Destroying the Earth
Revelation 11:18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.

More:
http://formerthings.com/global_warming.htm

[boricua79]

16. No, Mr. Gore...

Christians should all be about shock and aweing, hating on Gays, hating on abortionists, and being ok with using depleted uranium


jesus was ALL about the depleted uranium :sarcasm:

Christians in this country are SEVERELY full of it.

[Critters2]

27. "Christians in this country are SEVERELY full of it."

Nice broadbrush.

[boricua79]

31. direct your anger

at your fellow crazy Christians. They're making YOU moderate types look bad. I rather like my broadbrush.

And I'm entitled to think that if you believe in a unseen presence who somehow is everywhere and records what you do and then sends you to hell, you're crazy. What's the difference between you and the guy on the street mumbling to his imaginary friend? You've got no conclusive proof that your God exists? Then I can say you're full of it.

Have a nice day.

[Critters2]

40. I don't believe in an

"unseen presence who somehow is everywhere and records what you do and then sends you to hell". Nor have I said that I have conclusive proof my God exists. Any more than you have that God doesn't. The major difference seems to be that I'm respectful of people who disagree with me about matters of faith.

[krabigirl]

19. It's sad that he would even have to say this.

[dysfunctional press]

20. christians SHOULD be/do a lot of things they aren't/don't.

i don't know how anyone could ever confuse this war-mongering imperialistic capital-driven rascist sexist country where poverty is rampant and healthcare is for profit, for a "christian nation".

[boricua79]

32. ask the guy who doesn't like when I "broadbrush" (read my other posts)

Everytime I think this nation is hypocritical and that most Christians are full of shit, some "nice Christian" peeps out of their hidden place and raises their hand and goes, "not me, I'm nice to everyone".

Well, frankly, those little nice ones don't matter. They don't organize themselves, and they don't anything to counter the majority, which is severely full of it. Whether they know it or not. Some know what they do, others ignorantly have been pacified and misled. And they're full of it. And that's how we ended up with Bush. People were either pacified and didn't protest the stolen elections, or we're full of it and voted for all the fear-driven "Christian" policies.

And now the nation is having a collective..."ah shit...we fucked up" buyers' remorse moment.

We have a historic chance to turn out around this "full of it" status we have, and I'm would never bet against the absolute gullibility and "full of it" nature of a large swath of America. May God prove me wrong, for the good of this nation and the world!

[XemaSab]

36. How is that different than people who broadbrush Muslims or Mexicans or any other group?

:shrug:

[Name removed]

37. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Uncle Joe]

21. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, AlGore-08.com.

[LeftHander]

23. Can't be a steward when you have dominion.....nt

[Critters2]

28. "Dominion" is a mistranslation.

"Responsibility" or "stewardship" are closer to the Hebrew.

[JerseygirlCT]

35. Exactly nt

[Nevernose]

44. You can be both.

E.g., you can both own a house (dominion) and take care of it (stewardship). Of course, how well we take care of it is another matter...

[democrat2thecore]

39. Gore is absolutely right - once again. -nt