The Venal elements of Environmentalism.

[olger]

These are all quotes by contemporary environmentalists. Feel free to pick out a couple favorites:

"The right to have children should be a marketable commodity, bought and traded by individuals but absolutely limited by the state. – Kenneth Boulding, originator of the “Spaceship Earth” concept (as quoted by William Tucker in Progress and Privilege, 1982)

We have wished, we ecofreaks, for a disaster or for a social change to come and bomb us into Stone Age, where we might live like Indians in our valley, with our localism, our appropriate technology, our gardens, our homemade religion — guilt-free at last! — Stewart Brand (writing in the Whole Earth Catalogue

Free Enterprise really means rich people get richer. They have the freedom to exploit and psychologically rape their fellow human beings in the process . . . Capitalism is destroying the earth. — Helen Caldicott, Union of Concerned Scientists (should say concerned left-wing nutjob scientists).

We must make this an insecure and inhospitable place for capitalists and their projects . . . We must reclaim the roads and plowed land, halt dam construction, tear down existing dams, free shackled rivers and return to wilderness millions of tens of millions of acres of presently settled land. — David Foreman, Earth First!

Everything we have developed over the last 100 years should be destroyed. — Pentti Linkola

If you ask me, it’d be a little short of disastrous for us to discover a source of clean, cheap, abundant energy because of what we would do with it. We ought to be looking for energy sources that are adequate for our needs, but that won’t give us the excesses of concentrated energy with which we could do mischief to the earth or to each other. — Amory Lovins in The Mother Earth – Plowboy Interview, Nov/Dec 1977, p. 22

The only real good technology is no technology at all. Technology is taxation without representation, imposed by our elitist species (man) upon the rest of the natural world — John Shuttleworth

What we’ve got to do in energy conservation is try to ride the global warming issue. Even if the theory of global warming is wrong, to have approached global warming as if it is real means energy conservation, so we will be doing the right thing anyway in terms of economic policy and environmental policy. — Timothy Wirth, former U.S. Senator (D-Colorado)

I suspect that eradicating small pox was wrong. It played an important part in balancing ecosystems. — John Davis, editor of Earth First! Journal

Human beings, as a species, have no more value than slugs. — John Davis, editor of Earth First! Journal

The extinction of the human species may not only be inevitable but a good thing….This is not to say that the rise of human civilization is insignificant, but there is no way of showing that it will be much help to the world in the long run. — Economist editorial

We advocate biodiversity for biodiversitys sake. It may take our extinction to set things straight — David Foreman, Earth First!

Phasing out the human race will solve every problem on earth, social and environmental. — Dave Forman, Founder of Earth First!

If radical environmentalists were to invent a disease to bring human populations back to sanity, it would probably be something like AIDS — Earth First! Newsletter

Human happiness, and certainly human fecundity, is not as important as a wild and healthy planets Until such time as Homo sapiens should decide to rejoin nature, some of us can only hope for the right virus to come along. — David Graber, Chief Scientist, National Park Service. (These people are serious, folks.)

The collective needs of non-human species must take precedence over the needs and desires of humans. — Dr. Reed F. Noss, The Wildlands Project

If I were reincarnated, I would wish to be returned to Earth as a killer virus to lower human population levels. — Prince Phillip, World Wildlife Fund

Cannibalism is a “radical but realistic solution to the problem of overpopulation.” — Lyall Watson, The Financial Times, 15 July 1995

We, in the green movement, aspire to a cultural model in which killing a forest will be considered more contemptible and more criminal than the sale of 6-year-old children to Asian brothels. — Carl Amery

Every time you turn on an electric light, you are making another brainless baby — Helen Caldicott, Union of Concerned Scientists

To feed a starving child is to exacerbate the world population problem — Lamont Cole

If there is going to be electricity, I would like it to be decentralized, small, solar-powered — Gar Smith — editor of the Earth Island Institute’s online magazine The Edge

The only hope for the world is to make sure there is not another United States: We can’t let other countries have the same number of cars, the amount of industrialization, we have in the U.S. We have to stop these Third World countries right where they are. And it is important to the rest of the world to make sure that they don’t suffer economically by virtue of our stopping them. — Michael Oppenheimer, Environmental Defense Fund

And there you have just a few environmentalist quotes friends. As you read these statements, you might ask yourself. Can it really get any worse than this?

Gerry

[olger]

"We advocate biodiversity for biodiversitys sake. It may take our extinction to set things straight" — David Foreman, Earth First!

"Phasing out the human race will solve every problem on earth, social and environmental." — Dave Forman, Founder of Earth First!

Should we start with Dave?

[Woody]

Amazing

[olger]

Yes indeed. These guys are serious, man!

[LifeHiscost]

Yes indeed. These guys are serious, man!

The main flaw I see in the picture presented by the quotes is they all see what man does as the solution to the problems that exist in the world. God, on the other hand, presents a more thorough reality that includes all, including man's distinctly egregious failures.

"Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”"Revelation 21:5 NKJV

God blesses!

[olger]

LC correct.

Flaw fatal.

God rebuildeth.

[LifeHiscost]

LC correct. (For once, Praise God.)

Flaw fatal. (Without doubt)

God rebuildeth. (In no uncertain terms)

God blesses!

[olger]

I am convinced that the Christian church stands today with regard to environmentalism where it stood a century ago with regard to Darwinism.

At that time, some Christians strove valiantly, some were deceived, some were unaware, and some capitulated. Our response must be better. We must exercise a wise, courageous, powerful, spiritual warfare by which we restore the teaching of Genesis 1:27–28 while tearing down ideological strongholds, taking “every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:4–5).

[CoAspen]

Not sure why you started this thread as a topic could be posted "The Venal elements of Anti-Environmentalism" as well. What would that accomplish?

One could say that is already/has been done on these forums. Maybe it is the mud slinging taht is currently going on with the current election process that people feel the need, but it really does't serve any purpose.

If you and others are 'anti' than so be it, just the same as those that are 'pro'. Each has their reasons and should respect the other.

[phkrause]

Not sure why you started this thread as a topic could be posted "The Venal elements of Anti-Environmentalism" as well. What would that accomplish?

One could say that is already/has been done on these forums. Maybe it is the mud slinging taht is currently going on with the current election process that people feel the need, but it really does't serve any purpose.

If you and others are 'anti' than so be it, just the same as those that are 'pro'. Each has their reasons and should respect the other.

[olger]

It has nuttin to do with elections, but rather rolling over a rotten log so's people can see what's under it.

You wanna join the radical environmentalists - be my guest. Most people don't realize just how dangerous it is while -- they are patting themselves on the back for recycling Cheeze Whiz bottles and praying for the Tasmanian fruit bat to come back to life.

It is a worldview at war with the creation authority given to man and woman in Genesis 1:26-27. Thus it joins ranks with other sworn enemies of Genesis 1-6: Creation, Marriage (man & woman) and the Sabbath. Kill the foundation, and the building will collapse - that is the battle cry of the enemy of ALL SOULS. And it's happening, friends. Right under our noses.

There is a very close connection to the Vatican in all this stuff too. Somebody who is awake needs to slap a couple use-at-your-own-peril stickers on it while it's not too late. It probably is too late already for some.

repent always,

G

[M. T. Cross]

There are a couple of statements in there that I mostly agree with. But of course these for the most part are the most extreme segment of the environmental movement. To say that this accurately represents environmentalists would be equivalent to me saying the Westboro Baptist Church accurately represents Christians around the world, that Hitler accurately represents Germans as a whole or that Mussolini was a typical Italian. The nutjobs always are the loudest, but even in that they have their place.

[Guest]

It's a maddening and saddening thing to watch.

[LifeHiscost]

Somebody who is awake needs to slap a couple use-at-your-own-peril stickers on it while it's not too late. It probably is too late already for some.

repent always,

G

It comes down to whether or not one believes the Word as written or is willing to accept an air of disbelief based on the supposed superiority of "civilized" modern man's technology for the solutions.

"And he causeth all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free and the bond, that there be given them a mark on their right hand, or upon their forehead;

and that no man should be able to buy or to sell, save he that hath the mark, even the name of the beast or the number of his name.

Here is wisdom. He that hath understanding, let him count the number of the beast; for it is the number of a man: and his number is Six hundred and sixty and six."Rev 13:16-18 ASV

God blesses!

[CoAspen]

There are a couple of statements in there that I mostly agree with. But of course these for the most part are the most extreme segment of the environmental movement. To say that this accurately represents environmentalists would be equivalent to me saying the Westboro Baptist Church accurately represents Christians around the world, that Hitler accurately represents Germans as a whole or that Mussolini was a typical Italian. The nutjobs always are the loudest, but even in that they have their place.

Ya think!

[olger]

necessary nutjobs?

[Bravus]

Would be worthwhile to sketch a Biblical approach to our responsibility to the earth, as a counterpoint.

[Tom Wetmore]

Yes, as someone recently said, attacking and criticizing is not a real alternative plan...

By the virulent sanctimonious opposition to environmentalism that seems evident here, I am thinking it will come down to pillage and plunder at will, as long as you always rejoice and thank God for his bounteous providence...

(TIC)

[Tom Wetmore]

Would be worthwhile to sketch a Biblical approach to our responsibility to the earth, as a counterpoint.

Seriously, Ger, what do you see as a truly Biblical approach to our responsibility to the earth?

[LifeHiscost]

Quote:

Seriously, Ger, what do you see as a truly Biblical approach to our responsibility to the earth?

In order to fix God's handiwork, the scientific community has introduced into the food chain, genetically altered genes of which there is no certainty of its' long term affect on the natural order of things. It has already been proven that corn and other food stuffs as well as certain animals have been seriously impaired by the introduction of man's best effort to provide for the human race's continued existence.

When the first nuclear bomb was exploded, there was no certainty that the chain of explosion at the time would stop before the world would be incinerated, all in the name of scientific progress.

Something worse than that, though perhaps more insidious and slow in its' nature re: man's survival has already been released on mankind from the scientific community. But of course, we shouldn't be critical. Well,perhaps we can say it in a nicer way so no one will get their feelings hurt. Just so the last man standing is politically correct.

Maybe it's time to accept the Creator's solution to the problems that seem to be plaguing mankind.

Even so, come Lord Jesus!!!!

"...if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV

God blesses!

[CoAspen]

Not an answer to the question but headed off down another road!

[olger]

Would be worthwhile to sketch a Biblical approach to our responsibility to the earth, as a counterpoint.

Thanks Bravage. It is more important to be for something than to be against something else. I realize that I at times seem to give the latter impression. Here is what I am for.

Many people mistakenly view humans as principally consumers and polluters rather than producers and stewards. Consequently, they ignore our potential, as bearers of God’s image, to add to the earth’s abundance.

Environmentalists tend to believe that “nature knows best,” or that the earth—untouched by human hands—is the ideal. Such romanticism leads many to deify nature or oppose human dominion over creation. But Genesis 1:26-27 spells out our relationship to the earth. Thus:

God, the Creator of all things, rules over all and deserves our worship and adoration. We probably agree on this.

The earth, and with it all the cosmos, reveals its Creator’s wisdom and is sustained and governed by His power and lovingkindness.

Men and women were created in the image of God, given a privileged place among creatures, and commanded to exercise stewardship over the earth. I believe that Humans are moral agents for whom freedom is an essential condition of responsible action.

Sound environmental stewardship must attend both to the demands of human well being and to a divine call for human beings to exercise caring dominion over the earth. This is where the environmentalist worldview comes into conflict - persuaded as they are that animals (and the inanimate) have intrinsic value equal to that of humans, and in some cases superior to. I reject that view.

Human beings are called to be fruitful, to bring forth good things from the earth, to join with God in making provision for our temporal well being, and to enhance the beauty and fruitfulness of the rest of the earth by being producers and consumers.

In summary, I aspire to a world in which liberty as a condition of moral action is preferred over government-initiated management of the environment as a means to common goals. I believe individual property rights are desirable over federal management of resources and enterprises.

I believe that collective action, when deemed necessary, should take place at the most local level possible. Thanks for asking, and blessings.

G

[LifeHiscost]

Not an answer to the question but headed off down another road!

Unwrapping the thought process: Not thinking as I would think and understand, therefor can hold nothing worth paying attention to. Something akin to calling other races or animals dumb because we don't understand them.

God blesses.

[Guest]

Thanks Bravage. It is more important to be for something than to be against something else. I realize that I at times seem to give the latter impression. Here is what I am for.

Many people mistakenly view humans as principally consumers and polluters rather than producers and stewards. Consequently, they ignore our potential, as bearers of God’s image, to add to the earth’s abundance.

Environmentalists tend to believe that “nature knows best,” or that the earth—untouched by human hands—is the ideal. Such romanticism leads many to deify nature or oppose human dominion over creation. But Genesis 1:26-27 spells out our relationship to the earth. Thus:

God, the Creator of all things, rules over all and deserves our worship and adoration. We probably agree on this.

The earth, and with it all the cosmos, reveals its Creator’s wisdom and is sustained and governed by His power and lovingkindness.

Men and women were created in the image of God, given a privileged place among creatures, and commanded to exercise stewardship over the earth. I believe that Humans are moral agents for whom freedom is an essential condition of responsible action.

Sound environmental stewardship must attend both to the demands of human well being and to a divine call for human beings to exercise caring dominion over the earth. This is where the environmentalist worldview comes into conflict - persuaded as they are that animals (and the inanimate) have intrinsic value equal to that of humans, and in some cases superior to. I reject that view.

Human beings are called to be fruitful, to bring forth good things from the earth, to join with God in making provision for our temporal well being, and to enhance the beauty and fruitfulness of the rest of the earth by being producers and consumers.

In summary, I aspire to a world in which liberty as a condition of moral action is preferred over government-initiated management of the environment as a means to common goals. I believe individual property rights are desirable over federal management of resources and enterprises.

I believe that collective action, when deemed necessary, should take place at the most local level possible. Thanks for asking, and blessings.

G

Amen brother! My sentiments exactly.

[Bravus]

Yes. But they're your sentiments, and his sentiments.

What I was asking about was a Biblical understanding of our relationship to the environment.