VA Evangelicals Support Cizik Stance On Protecting Earth, Ignore Dobson's Condemnation

[hatrack]

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Today, some religious leaders warn the punishments for not taking care of Earth could include melting polar ice caps and, possibly, extinction.

Others say religion shouldn't mix with science. Citizen Link Magazine, published by the evangelical group Focus on the Family, carried stories this month criticizing Christian leaders who believe global warming is occurring. The magazine specifically took aim at a Stafford County resident and National Association of Evangelicals leader, the Rev. Richard Cizik, for raising the issue of the environment to the level of traditional evangelical issues, such as abortion and protection of the family.

Taking care of the environment is a biblical mandate, Cizik said. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible commands people "to love, care and protect," he said. "That's our duty. Just because preachers haven't preached it, doesn't mean it isn't there."

For most local religious leaders, environmentalism is neither that global nor that controversial. "This is in the Scriptures," said the Rev. Cuthbert Mandell of Aquia Episcopal Church in North Stafford. "God said all creation was good and he put us in charge of it We're supposed to protect it and enhance it." The Rev. Carolyn Carter of Unity Church of Fredericksburg said focusing on something as temporal as the environment is a concept spreading among some congregations. "Churches haven't been aware they have a role," she said. "I think we've seen it as a government problem, not a spiritual problem."

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http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2007/082007/08042007/304878

[TreasonousBastard]

1. I get flamed every time I say...

that there is a long-standing Christian tradition that we are not masters of the planet, but custodians of it.

Rather than just wasting breath ranting at those churches who don't agree with this, finding the churches who do and working with them seems to be the better idea.

But, there are just too many people on all sides who insist on demonizing everyone who isn't Just Like Them. Leftists who think churches are all full of fundie assholes, churches who think lefties are all godless government agents...

And that sort of bigotry and stupidity is what will kill any movement, asnd leave the oil companies laughing their asses off for us doing part of their work for them.

[kestrel91316]

2. There's plenty of environmental stewardship to be found in

the Unitarians, United Church of Christ, liberal Episcopal churches, and more than a few mainstream (Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian) Protestant churches.

Not so much the born-again fundie churches....

[TreasonousBastard]

3. Here's one organization of evangelilcals...

http://www.creationcare.org/

(and don't forget us Quakers with our Earthwitness.)