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Home » Categories » Science & Technology » Environment » Christians and Environment – Can Christian Beliefs Inspire a Believer to Help Saving the Planet? » Reprint Rights » Printer Friendly

Gorazd Andrejc

Christians and Environment – Can Christian Beliefs Inspire a Believer to Help Saving the Planet?

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Submitted Sunday, December 30, 2007
Submitted by: Gorazd Andrejc (123) Unverified Account
Gorazd Andrejc
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Among Christians one can find very different attitudes towards environment and global warming problem. There are of course Christians who simply do not care and do not see any real connection between their religion and the idea to save the planet. Religion is about saving humanity, spiritually speaking, not the planet, right? Before moving to the answer to this question, let's have a quick look at another, even less eco-friendly Christian attitude.

Many Christians (evangelicals) believe in the second coming of Christ, but some of them believe that Christ's second coming is imminent, that it will happen very soon. Majority of those in this second subgroup also point to global warming phenomenon as a sign before Christ's coming – a prime example of such a sign actually! Such interpretation of the prophecy also includes the claim that we really can't do anything in this matter to make things better. The belief, that Christ will come very soon and that global warming is an important sign of His coming, naturally leads to the belief that there is no point in "saving the planet". Not only will this planet burn in destruction in a very near future, but you are actually working against the prophecy (and so against God) if you are trying to save the planet. Not to mention the peril of wasting your time and energy you should use for other more important things to do. The comment of the late evangelical leader Jerry Falwell, that "the myth" of global warming is a "Satan's attempt to redirect the church's primary focus" is just one expression of such a position.

Even if these beliefs are not so explicit and widespread, and despite the change of mood in the environmental issues among the evangelical leaders in the in last couple of years, there is still a general feel of relative passivity in relation to the environmental issues among many evangelical and also other Christians. In the internet and in other media you will much more likely find new-age believers and atheist defending the green attitude. Why? Majority of new-age belief-systems include belief in (equal) sanctity of all life, a belief in Gaia Mother Earth, and similar. These beliefs inspire new-agers to action. Atheists on the other hand believe that this world, however bad and imperfect, is the only world we have. So whatever we feel, we better do something about it or we will simply cease to exist as a race! If there is no afterlife you naturally have a very strong motivation to preserve this life and this world. 

So, what about Christian beliefs and environmental concern? Are Christian beliefs actually a disadvantage for someone who wants to take eco-friendly attitude? Not necessarily. This of course mainly depends on one's choice of Christian theology. Which biblical messages are more, and which are less important and relevant today? Such hermeneutical decisions, for Christians who take Bible more seriously, guide their ethical priorities and lead to decisions. 

There is an important difference between focusing mainly on the texts where God threatens to destroy the earth because of the sins of humans (e.g. "I, the Lord, now promise to destroy everything on this earth"(Zep 1,2)) and on the other hand focusing on the threats that He will destroy the destroyers of the earth ("It is time to destroy everyone who has destroyed the earth." Rev 11,8). Also, the responsibility towards the whole of mankind, which is for majority the single most important reason why we should care about the environment at all, is present in the biblical idea of the first human couple and the human race as a big family (whether Adam and Eve are literal or a symbolic doesn't matter here, the very idea of the human family is what counts). Yet another positive route to environmental ethics in Christian theology is praising the inherent value and beauty of Creation, which definitely doesn't lack in the Bible (Gen 1:31, Ps 104, Rom 1:20, etc.). Most of these positive reasons for environmental concern are of course present also in Judaism and can be found in Islam too. 

So, there are many starting points for a Christian believer when deciding why to take environmental issues seriously. Christianity need not be eco-unfriendly at all.

To read more, discuss, comment or just browse on related issues, visit my blog " of Life - An Ordinary Person's Guide": http://eco-friendly-lifestyle.blogspot.com It is intended for people with other occupations and interests who are not necessarily experts in environmentalism, to discuss and find motivation for lifestyle changes connected to environmental issues.





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Comments on this article:


» left by James P Krehbiel (1,395) Bronze Level Author Verified Account
James P Krehbiel
James P Krehbiel blog Contact James P Krehbiel View Bio for James P Krehbiel (234 days 20 hours ago.)

Reader Rating: 5 out of 5
Gorazd,
Well stated! I have been struggling with this issue on this website wondering how Christians can ignore the facts surrounding global warming and the environment. I wish someone could explain to me how God's people cannot see this truth but they can see all these other issues of minor importance. Thank you. I have joined your fan club! Be well
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» left by Gorazd Andrejc (123) Unverified Account
Gorazd Andrejc
Gorazd Andrejc blog View Bio for Gorazd Andrejc (233 days 8 hours ago.)

Reader Rating: 5 out of 5
Thanks James! Well, this is puzzling to me too. It seems that Christianity is so many times about slogans and mass thinking instead of individual intelligent decisions. By the way, your articles are great, I became your fan too! :) I am looking forward to read more of your articles and participate on discussions around here!
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» left by Robert Melaccio, Sr. (5,215) Silver Level Author Hall of Fame Top 100 Verified Account
Robert Melaccio, Sr.
Robert Melaccio, Sr. blog View Bio for Robert Melaccio, Sr. (233 days 6 hours ago.)

Reader Rating: 5 out of 5
Good job, but let me ask you this. Does calling yourself something actually make you something? It has to do with a lot more then professing. Faith = works and they shall be known by their signs. All the best RTM
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» left by Anonymous (233 days 4 hours ago.)
Reader Rating: 5 out of 5
Dear Robert, thanks for your comment. I guess it depends on whether you are talking about God's perspective or simply about the meaning of the term "Christian" as it is used in the society. We people do not have any way to look deeper into people's lives, so I think we simply have to call everyone who professes to be Christian, a Christian. Who really lives by the standards of Christian ethics, is a different matter of course, I agree completely.
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» left by Gorazd Andrejc (123) Unverified Account
Gorazd Andrejc
Gorazd Andrejc blog View Bio for Gorazd Andrejc (232 days 16 hours ago.)

This anonymous was me, Gorazd. Sorry.
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