Religion must help protect planet:

[Amelia]

Religion must help protect planet

Fri Apr 27, 2007

By Philip Pullella

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - The message that God wants believers to be green is emerging from a Vatican conference on climate change in the latest sign of growing concern by religious groups around the world over the fate of the planet.

Scientists, environment ministers and leaders of various religions from 20 countries sat down for two days to discuss the implications of global warming and development.

While the scientists spoke of the dynamics of greenhouse gasses, temperature patterns, rain forests and exhaust emissions, the men and women of religion discussed the moral and theological aspects of protecting the environment.

The conference, organized by the Vatican's Council for Justice and Peace, marked the most significant plunge to date by the Roman Catholic Church -- the world's largest Christian grouping -- into one of the hottest contemporary topics.

"Climate change is one of the signs of the times affecting the Catholic Church as a global organization. The Catholic Church must take a stand on this present-day and urgent question," said Bishop Bernd Uhl of Freiburg, Germany.

In recent years, the world's major religions have gone more green in the race to save the planet, which they teach mankind has in stewardship and must protect for future generations.

Over the past year, some evangelical Protestant churches in the United States -- strong conservative backers of President George W. Bush -- have broken ranks with the White House to call for urgent measures to protect the environment.

National Catholic bishops conferences in some countries, including the United States and Australia, have issued statements or pastoral letters on climate change and the need to protect what most religions see as "the gift of creation."

PAPAL ENCYCLICAL ON GLOBAL WARMING?

Uhl said the time had come for an encyclical, the highest form of papal writing, on what he called "the future of creation." He said it would "energize" Catholics, other believers and world opinion on climate change.

Bishop Christopher Toohey of Australia said believers should "have the courage and motivation under God's grace to do what we need to do to safeguard this garden planet."

Elias Abramides, a Greek Orthodox member of the World Council of Churches (WCC), told the gathering climate change was a "deeply spiritual issue" rooted in the scriptures.

"We believe that the solutions to the problem will not only be of a political, technological and economic nature. We believe that ethics and religion will necessarily become essential components on which the solutions will be based," he said.

"As Christians ... we need to recognize and accept the intimate ethical and deeply religious implications of climate change. It is a matter of justice, it is a matter of equity, and it is a matter of love: love for God the Almighty, love for the neighbor, love for creation," Abramides said.

The WCC groups some 550 million Christians from 340 non-Catholic Christian churches, denominations and fellowships.

[olger]

Guess there was some room on the band wagon.

[Kountzer]

The vatican always has an angle, and it probably is sunday legislation.

[bevin]

http://www.adventist.org/beliefs/statements/main_stat8.html

Quote:

The world membership of the Seventh-day Adventist Church requests that the governments concerned take steps necessary to avert the danger:

1) By fulfilling the agreement reached in Rio de Janeiro (1992 Convention on Climate Change) to stabilize carbon dioxide emissions by the year 2000 at 1990 levels,

2) By establishing plans for further reductions in carbon dioxide emissions after the year 2000, and

3) By initiating more forcefully public debate on the risks of climate change.

The SDA always has an angle, and it probably is insert-favorite-paranoia-here

/Bevin

[Taylor]

What Bevin? If I may say so I thought for once you would see the positive side. You say the SDA church is more concerned with "beast" and "doctrine" than in the "more important daily living" things. Well, here is an example where the church is concerned about "daily living things" such as en enviornment. I think it is commendable! This has nothing to do with being an SDA, or the doctrines of the SDA church. This has to do with the health of all those on the planet. I think you have been so disenchanted with the SDA church that you don't recogize something as positive even when a non-Christian would see as positive. It just surprises me.

[bevin]

I am - actually I am pleased that the RC and SDA denominations are both beginning to appreciate the importance of getting involved in the real issues facing the world.

I was commenting on D_Bishop's "The vatican always has an angle, and it probably is sunday legislation" - if we want to use such a charge, it should evenly applied.

/Bevin

[Taylor]

Well good, I'm glad to hear it!

And by the way EVERY person and organization has an angle even if they don't think so. We all have backgrounds and perspectives, truths we believe, experiences we have had, our eductaion which gives us our "angle". I don't think there is truely an "unbiased no angle" person in the universe. But I do think that the SDA church as well as the Catholic church do good works without alterior motives.

[bevin]

Quote:

But I do think that the SDA church as well as the Catholic church do good works without alterior motives.

That matches my experience with both organizations

/Bevin

[Kountzer]

I got some of my ideas from prophecy studies at church, and from reading some prophecy written by the editor of signs of the times magazine. I for get his name, and from other books.

As for the sda church being pre occupied with the beast, the RC stated in various places, most notably in the bestselling book "keys of this blood" that the era of nation states is basically over with, and that they intend to head a one world government. They, the RC, feel that they have the experience, history etc. to control and manipulate such a government. So, this is the RCC saying exactly what adventists have been preaching since at least 1844.

So, with complete world hegemony being their ultimate goal, I don't think it is far fetched to think that they will use some secondary issue to get them there. Consider the scenario: gas prices may reach $4.00 a gallon is some places in the U.S. this summer, global warming, glaciers melting and falling into the sea, moral crisis, killings murders, as a result of all this ' hey lets have a family day, lets declare Sunday a family day. Let's have limited driving on that day, people can go to church, that will take care of the moral issues, it will help the ozone layer. All we have to do is dust off a few old blue laws and declare Sunday a national day of rest'.

It sounds far fetched but, it is definitely possible.

[Taylor]

Quote:

But I do think that the SDA church as well as the Catholic church do good works without alterior motives.

That matches my experience with both organizations

/Bevin

Glad to hear it!

[Steve Murphy]

http://www.adventist.org/beliefs/statements/main_stat8.html

Quote:

The world membership of the Seventh-day Adventist Church requests that the governments concerned take steps necessary to avert the danger:

1) By fulfilling the agreement reached in Rio de Janeiro (1992 Convention on Climate Change) to stabilize carbon dioxide emissions by the year 2000 at 1990 levels,

2) By establishing plans for further reductions in carbon dioxide emissions after the year 2000, and

3) By initiating more forcefully public debate on the risks of climate change.

The SDA always has an angle, and it probably is insert-favorite-paranoia-here

/Bevin

Wow, I'm surprised by the above. I'm surprised the church would have made such a declaration over 10 years ago. The radical left is everywhere!

[olger]

Hi Steve. I reckon you're right about that...

olger

[Kountzer]

I agree totally.

[olger]

The messenger puffed over the horizon and skidded to a stop at the door of the building. Eying the door, which read EPA in big bold letters, he mumbled to himself “We got them this time!”

The door soon opened revealing a rather snappy, officious man and a very plump lady in black skin tight pants. “Well?” the snappy one asked.

“We got `em sir!” the messenger announced, subconsciously puffing himself up to his full height of 5’4”. “We got em this time and if you come quickly we can sneak up on them and catch the whole bunch in the act and I waited for two days for this opportunity and you…”

“Slow down” the agent said, drawing him inside the EPA building.

“I assume that you’re referring to those nasty nomads in the desert—the ones who have been violating the Clean Air Act, the Animal Rights Act, and the Open Burning Laws, and the Occupational Safety Guidelines, ALL WITHOUT PERMITS!!!” the agent granted himself a flash of indignation.

“Yes Yes!” the messenger said. They got their codebook and headed out to the wilderness…

“This wilderness should be protected” exclaimed the agent in a burst of self-importance. “That’s right!” the messenger said ecstatically.

“Let’s talk about these environment violaters”, the agent shifted in his seat. “We can nail them on three serious charges, and possibly a dozen more. That will justify our funding, and hopefully increase it.” It was going to be a good day.

They pulled up to the encampment. There were thousands of tents scattered across the plain. Smoke was rising from a large tent in the center of the camp. “Yep, there’s an open burning violation right there” the agent said. “There’s a big cloud of pollution in the center of this camp already!!” “AND, I am pretty sure that they are disturbing the native habitat of the green-nosed long-livered toad-frog.” We’ll nail em big time on that one!”

They knocked on the door of the large tent. A distinguished elder with a long white beard met them. His unusual clothing stood in stark contrast to their own. He wore a breastplate with 12-stones.. and a mitre on his head. There was a golden belt around his waist, supporting the beautiful blue robe.

“Can I assist you? the man asked. “Have you come to repent to the Lord?”

“Repent!?” You’re the one who will need repentance when we’re finished” the agent, snorted. “First, what is your name?” the agent barked whipping out his violation book.

“I am Aaron, the son of Amram.”

“Last name?”

My name is Aaron.”

The agent sighed… “What is your address?”

“Address…?”

“WHERE DO YOU LIVE?”

“I dwell wherever the Lord leads.” Aaron replied.

“WHERE DO YOU WORK?” The agent was getting steamed..

“Ahh…I work in the tabernacle of the Lord.” The old man’s face brightened with the satisfaction that peace brings.

“Oh really?” The agent rolled his eyes. “And what do you do for your employer?”

“I offer the morning & evening sacrifice. And I oversee the slaughter of animals for the remission of sin. It is hard work, and it is good work.”

“So you’re running a butcher shop out here” the agent shook his head. “You will need FDA approval at once. And there will be a massive fine for not possessing a license.” “Furthermore”, the agent continued “you will have to be inspected.” His indignation mounted…

Aaron listened patiently to this strange arrogant man… He sure looked like he needed remission, but we don’t force it on anyone. The Lord would deal with him.

“And.” Where is that smoke coming from?” The agent demanded.

“That is from the burnt offering, my friend” Aaron replied.

“Take us in there, now!.”

Aaron led the men inside.

“I want that fire put out immediately”, the agent said.

“It can’t be done,” Aaron replied. “That sacrifice is to the Lord. If He wants it out He will have to put it out.”

The agent smiled darkly. This was going to be fun, making an example of these weird people.

“‘Tell your boss to come here at once” the agent said. “We might as well arrest the whole bunch of you.”

“You wish to meet the Lord?” Aaron said.

“I Do!” Get him in here.”

“He’s already in here.”

“Really? Is he hiding under that table?” The agent smirked. “Tell him to get his tail in here.”

Aaron looked long at the agent. His eyes were the deepest the man had ever seen. It was almost uncomfortable, and the agent raised his bluster another notch to cover it. “Get him in here now!”

“He’s right behind that curtain, my friend” Aaron paused. “I don’t recommend disturbing Him.”

“Oh really?” The agent chuckled as he took three quick steps to the large heavy curtain.

“I should warn you, Aaron said. “One must never enter the presence of the Lord unholy.” Something in his calm voice troubled the agent.

“Hear that?” he sneered to the messenger with him. “One must never enter the presence of the lord unholy..” He quickly raised his hand to the curtain to yank it aside, when he stopped. All of a sudden he felt uneasy. A wave of dread crashed over him.. He walked away from the curtain “Cmon,” he said to his accomplice. They both walked outside.

“But boss why are we leaving..?” the messenger asked. “What’s with you?”

“I’m going to get a warrant” the agent replied. “I remembered that we didn’t have one yet. No matter, we will be back!”

The agent turned to Aaron as they walked away. “We will be back, and you’ll be sorry!”

Aaron watched in silence…

The two men drove away.

“What a bunch of weirdos, huh?” he messenger looked at his boss.

“You got that right. We’ll be back and clean the whole gang up. That will be GOOD for the environment to see them rot in jail. That whole cloud over the place makes me sick.”

“Boss, I noticed all the people around there and it occurred to me that they are part of some dumb religion. Is that possible?”

“Of course it is. They’re all a bunch of fanatics. I can’t believe why anyone would need that weird religion anyway..” he drove on...

The messenger thought for a moment “Yeah, I prefer our church. The Ecstatic Environmentalist.”

“Me too!”

olger