Southern Baptists Approve Global Warming Resolution Rejecting Human Responsibility

[matcom]

<snip>

Southern Baptists approved a resolution on global warming Wednesday that questions the prevailing scientific belief that humans are largely to blame for the phenomenon and also warns that increased regulation of greenhouse gases will hurt the poor.

The global warming debate has split evangelicals, with some not only pressing the issue but arguing humans bear most of the responsibility for the problem because of greenhouse gas emissions. Other evangelicals say talking about the issue at all diminishes their influence over more traditional culture war issues such as abortion, gay marriage and judicial appointments.


The SBC resolution, approved near the end of the denomination's annual meeting, acknowledges a rise in global temperatures. But it rejects government-mandated limits on carbon-dioxide and other emissions as "very dangerous" because they might not make much difference and could lead to "major economic hardships" worldwide.

Originally, the measure also backed more government-funded research into global warming's causes and alternative energies to oil. But the resolution was amended to drop that language, in part over concerns that it would endorse strong government engagement in the issue.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=3275501

[Rabrrrrrr]

1. I'm currently reading "Our Endangered Values" by Carter

And I'm in a set of chapters that he's talking about all the shit the Southern Baptist Leadership has done in the past 25 years. I knew that they had done some awful shit, and I have former Southern Baptist minister friends who told me some horror stories, but the depth of it - amazing. As president, Carter got to (and gets to) talk to the leadership itself more than, say, the average person.

I'm not surprised that they would do a resolution on this at all.

Next year they'll do "Jesus' words about 'feeding the poor' and 'giving water to the thirsty' was metaphorical talk about how the government should provide vouchers for Christian education and the Ten Comandments should be posted in public buildings, and Jesus' words about 'turn the other cheek' was about how only Fundamentalist Christians should be allowed to hold public office".

[matcom]

2. got any specific examples?

my fundy sister is a SB and I haven't read the book but am interested

[slj0101]

4. You're halfway there.

I'm sure you already know that a number of bornagains believe that "turn the other cheek," "thou shalt not kill," etc. only apply to other Christians, people of conflicting beliefs be damned.


That's the irony of fundies- they only literally interpret bible passages that suit their narrow-minded vision.

[kay1864]

3. "major economic hardships"

Translation: "anything that might affect our collection plates"

Oh, and we're all going to heaven, so fuck the planet.

:mad:

[Rob H.]

5. Next year: "Southern Baptists Approve Resolution Rejecting 'Round Earth' Theory"

After this year's resolution it wouldn't really come as a surprise, would it?

Another resolution approved Wednesday on protecting children from sex abuse urged Southern Baptists churches and organizations to respond quickly to allegations and conduct background checks. The resolution also denounced any efforts to "cover up," ignore or condone abuse.

Better late than never, I guess. Late last year it was revealed that Paul Williams, a minister at Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, molested his own son for a period of between 12 and 18 months in the 1980s when his son was a young teen. Steve Gaines, Bellevue's pastor, was one of the people told. Gaines' response? He kept silent for six months and only went public when it became clear that the abuse admission was about to become public knowledge.

Williams actually got paid administrative leave while the church conducted its investigation and he was fired when the investigation concluded that the allegations were true. Why they felt the need to investigate when Williams admitted that he had done it, I have no idea.

[skygazer]

6. I just don't understand this kind of thinking

Even if, by some stretch of the imagination, global warming is not caused by humans, doesn't it make sense for the survival of the species to try to find ways to slow or stop it? I mean, instead of arguing about whose fault it is while we rapidly bake out of existence?

They don't think limits on emissions are going to help much - well, I don't see any suggestions from their end. :banghead:

[Orsino]

7. "Rejecting human responsibility"...

...without scientific data? Do tell!

[pagerbear]

8. How is it their business issuing such resolutions?

Oh, wait. Popes, Copernicus et al. I get it now.