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Worshipers gather inside Christ Episcopal Church,
which was completely destroyed by Hurricane Katrina and rebuilt, April
17, 2011 in Waveland, Mississippi.
(Mario Tama/Getty)
On Wednesday, the Environmental Protection Agency wrapped up
two days of public hearings on its proposed climate rule that would curb
carbon emissions from the nation's powers plants.
The comment sessions drew an audience more diverse than the usual make-up of energy executives, coal lobbyists, and environmental activists.
Among the crowd, and included as speakers, were a surprising number of faith leaders, Evangelicals and conservative Christians who were there not against, but in support of the Obama Administration's position on climate action.
Brandan Robertson is the Founder of The Revangelical Movement and a representative of the growing number of those in the religious right who also see environmentalism as a religious and civic priority.
"Many conservative Christians pegged the issues around climate change as something that only liberals did or something that was actually opposed to the Christian message," says Robertson. "This was mainly because conservative Evangelicals and Catholics tended to have a human-centered view that saw the Earth as an object that humans have been given to dominate and exploit for our own benefit. When it was all used up, Jesus would return, destroy the world, and take Christians to heaven. That is, of course, an oversimplification."
Robertson says that a new wave of conservative Christians and religious organizations have begun taking leadership roles, adding that the views of climate change denialists are inadequate, destructive, and even "unbiblical" in some senses.
"Throughout The Bible, there are clear passages that describe the sacredness of the Earth," says Robertson. "The Bible paints a picture at the end that says humanity will actually exist on our planet forever."
Nowadays, Robertson says that environmental conservation is more in line with the Christian faith, adding that statistics show that the new generation of younger Evangelicals are changing politically.
"For instance, on June 2nd when the EPA released a proposal to reduce carbon pollution, many conservative Christians saw that as a no-brainer," he says. "Yes, [President Obama's] proposal had a price tag of $150 billion, but the price tag that will cost if we don't get to work on these issues is far higher. As we look at Jesus and examine our Bibles, we're becoming increasingly less concerned with personal wealth and economic growth, and more concerned with caring for our whole planet. It seems to us like the more Christ-like thing to do."
The comment sessions drew an audience more diverse than the usual make-up of energy executives, coal lobbyists, and environmental activists.
Among the crowd, and included as speakers, were a surprising number of faith leaders, Evangelicals and conservative Christians who were there not against, but in support of the Obama Administration's position on climate action.
Brandan Robertson is the Founder of The Revangelical Movement and a representative of the growing number of those in the religious right who also see environmentalism as a religious and civic priority.
"Many conservative Christians pegged the issues around climate change as something that only liberals did or something that was actually opposed to the Christian message," says Robertson. "This was mainly because conservative Evangelicals and Catholics tended to have a human-centered view that saw the Earth as an object that humans have been given to dominate and exploit for our own benefit. When it was all used up, Jesus would return, destroy the world, and take Christians to heaven. That is, of course, an oversimplification."
Robertson says that a new wave of conservative Christians and religious organizations have begun taking leadership roles, adding that the views of climate change denialists are inadequate, destructive, and even "unbiblical" in some senses.
"Throughout The Bible, there are clear passages that describe the sacredness of the Earth," says Robertson. "The Bible paints a picture at the end that says humanity will actually exist on our planet forever."
Nowadays, Robertson says that environmental conservation is more in line with the Christian faith, adding that statistics show that the new generation of younger Evangelicals are changing politically.
"For instance, on June 2nd when the EPA released a proposal to reduce carbon pollution, many conservative Christians saw that as a no-brainer," he says. "Yes, [President Obama's] proposal had a price tag of $150 billion, but the price tag that will cost if we don't get to work on these issues is far higher. As we look at Jesus and examine our Bibles, we're becoming increasingly less concerned with personal wealth and economic growth, and more concerned with caring for our whole planet. It seems to us like the more Christ-like thing to do."
- Religious Conservatives Embrace Proposed E.P.A. Rules The New York Times
Guests:
Brandan RobertsonHosted by:
Todd ZwillichProduced by:
Ellen FrankmanEditors:
T.J. Raphael- Leave a comment
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Comments [2]
I saw this on Bill Moyers a few
years ago. Too bad those other Christians can't realize that God's
Beautiful Earth is in our charge, or something along those lines.
Jul. 31 2014 02:02 PM
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Thank you to all Revangelicals.
Time and time again, I"ve heard that the Christian right will not listen
to any liberals about environmental issues - but they will listen to
another conservative Christian. Keep spreading the good words!
Jul. 31 2014 09:28 AM
Score: 0/0
