KIR etal wrote:Approximately eighteen months ago a couple of Jehovah's Witnesses knocked on my door: one woman in her twenties and one man in his forties. We engaged in a conversation which flipped around for a while and then I said, roughly: "one of my problems with some people's take on Christianity is that they tend to dismiss science a lot of the time. A good example of this is denying the reality of man-made global warming, about which the scientific community is pretty well unanimous. These so called Christians then make no attempt to help with that problem." The male Jehovah's Witness then replied: “That's the beauty of it: we haven't got to worry about that kind of thing because God will take care of it!”

Although of course this is not a Jehovah's Witness congregation it is apparent that the same problem exists across all denominations of Christianity, as seen most clearly in the US Republican Party's withdrawal from the Paris Climate Change Accord. Incidentally, the USA is the only country in the world to have withdrawn from that treaty. Donald Trump and his party are, of course, overwhelmingly deeply Christian, Christian in name anyway, even reinstating weekly Bible study groups in the White House for the President and his senior staff for the first time since the colonial era. Protestant Christianity is the dominant Christian flavour in the US, not Jehovah's Witness.

I believe these so called Christians, who sit idly by smiling at the sky without a care in the world thinking they can just recline and relax in God's arms, are in error. What disappointing creatures we would be to God if we didn't try to do right by our fellow humans and, indeed, animals and the planet as a whole. I think it's pretty obvious how Jesus would lead by example on this issue, as with any other, tirelessly and selflessly labouring to alleviate the suffering of others and basically attempting to improve the situation in general. Who could possibly say that Jesus was lazy. 99.9% of the time we know the right thing to do without even having to think, as the Holy Spirit guides us, and that guidance need be followed at all times unless we are to be burdened with feelings of guilt and remorse, let alone any divine retribution which may strike like lightning if we do not follow the moral compass.

Man-made climate change, also known as anthropogenic global warming (AGW for short), is one of the two most terrifyingly powerful threats to the wellbeing of mankind according to the late great Professor Stephen Hawking, as he wrote shortly before his passing. The other threat he identified is strong artificial intelligence, but that's off topic. Personally, a part of me would like to own a car and fly around visiting foreign countries, but the carbon emissions from such transport methods just don't sit well with me. Jet air plane travel, which dumps huge amounts of damaging emissions straight into the upper atmosphere is particularly damaging, as my university environmental economics professor taught us. The carbon emissions resulting from the manufacturing processes necessary in order to make cars and planes in the first place are also very substantial and damaging.

As some of you may know, I am technically an atheist although I see many very fine and praiseworthy things in Christianity which is part of the reason that Sarah, Dave and their colleagues make me feel so welcome here, I think. There is no reason to think that atheists are the only people who should act to counter the spectre of man-made climate change however. In fact, nothing could or should be further from the truth if the example of Jesus is followed accurately as decent Christians know him. Thanks for listening, there are printouts of this text available in the lobby. Feel free to take as many copies as you like. In fact, the more the better! Please duplicate and spread this document around as much as possible. Internet?

Keep It Real wrote:Cherry picking the term is for what you're advocating SAM I believe and fuck that approach basically. There it is.

Keep It Real wrote:My primary friends at my primary church are two transexuals and the delightful Abs who is on the brink of blindness. Atheists one and all.

Keep It Real wrote:All Christians think the same regarding the central issue from which the (hopefully) strength of the doc is derived. That is that Jesus was a good and decent person. The bible, whichever version, and The Pope's proclamations attempt to echo that sentiment first and foremost. Biblical passages are constantly being re-interpreted so as to fit with that which is perceived to be a good/decent person. It really doesn't matter what the bible says Jesus literally said to enlightened Christians IMO any more than it matters if they wear nylon/woll mix clothing items. Cherry picking the term is for what you're advocating SAM I believe and fuck that approach basically. There it is.

Keep It Real wrote:The good friar and I are now in email dialogue.

TopCat wrote:

Keep It Real wrote:The good friar and I are now in email dialogue.

Let's hope you remain in frequent and extended contact with him.

As some of you may know, I am technically largely an atheist although I see many very fine and praiseworthy things in Christianity which is part of the reason that I am generally made to feel so welcome in most churches, I think. There is no reason to believe that atheists are the only people who should act to counter the spectre of man-made climate change however. In fact, nothing could or should be further from the truth if the example of Jesus is followed accurately, as most Christians know him.

Keep It Real wrote:And also thank you for thinking me decent.

Chris Putnam wrote: I know lots of Christians and they have no fear of global warming. They see it as nonsense, unscientific, and an insincere grab for power. No stress at all. Give in a listen and see what you think.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXnwB97fBj8

They see it as nonsense, unscientific, and an insincere grab for power