Faith leaders push climate-change legislation in letter to senators

[Ed Barrow]

Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch

Leaders of faith communities urged Virginia Sens. Jim Webb and Mark R. Warner yesterday to endorse far-reaching climate change legislation as a moral imperative. The 100 clergy members from Virginia, representing various faiths, said legislation pending in the Senate should call for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 25 percent below 1990 levels by 2020 and by 80 percent by 2050.

The Senate may not take up the legislation this year.

"In affirming the moral need for climate legislation, we are mindful that this may raise the cost of basic goods," the faith leaders wrote. "So we also ask that any such legislation include social safety-net provisions for families that are already struggling."

...

"As religious leaders from across the commonwealth, we are writing to express our alarm at the state of environmental stewardship here in Virginia, and nationwide," the letter states. "For us as people of faith, this is an issue of basic fairness and justice; not only because we are called to care for creation, but because of who will be harmed most by inaction: the poor and voiceless."

Read more: http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/CLIM03_20100602-221004/348650/

[karynnj]

1. If you are religious, it is hard to find a religion that does not call for caring for the earth.

Even for people believing in NO religion, there is a moral imperative to leave the earth livable for future generations.

[SkyDaddy7]

3. The Bible i have says otherwise...

My Bible says humans have dominion over the Earth...Says nothing about taking care of it.

Many Christians I talk to claim Jesus will return before the Earth is unlivable. I do live in Georgia and we have some fundies down here!

[jwirr]

4. Dominion is a word give the effort by an interpreter. It would not surprise

me if the original Hebrew referred to "caring responsibility". Leave it to mankind to turn husbandry into plunder.

[liberation]

5. That is why its not a good idea to base anything on silly books written by commitee

about ancient myths told by goat herders to put their kids to sleep through those spooky nights in the middle of the desert.

[SkyDaddy7]

9. Husbandry?

My Bible does not contain much of that idea either...There is nothing I have read that comes anywhere close to "caring responsibly" about anything or anyone in the Bible. Basically the Bible is all about taking whatever it is you want when you want it! The problem is folks try and make the Bible say what they want to hear rather than just throwing the Bronze Age Book in the waste basket and simply doing what is correct because it is the correct thing to do.

[roguevalley]

7. you need to get a Green Bible. the percentage of admonishions to

take care of the world would astound you.

[SkyDaddy7]

8. A Green Bible?

So there is a Bible for whatever it is one wants to believe god thinks? Maybe it is time we just do away with delusions and focus on reality? Just a thought?

[roguevalley]

12. and maybe you should put your angst aside and consider that in

every holy document are ethics worth living by. I only have to look at the fucking gulf of mexico to see what 'reason' and 'reality' did. considering the number of delusional people out there using science and reason, you might want to temper your judgements. The bible, the Green Bible, is a work of conscience. The fools that exploit the unconscionable to support their hatred, delusional beliefs and such aren't always religious. Check out the bp document pile why don't ya.

[SkyDaddy7]

13. I said "FOCUS ON REALITY"

We don't need Bronze Age make believe to do what is right!

[SkyDaddy7]

14. Just curious...

How many trees will die to make these so-called "Green Bibles"?

[abqmufc]

6. Depends on how one defines Manifest Destiny

Most Christian faiths I've had the displeasure of being around seem to justify fossil fuels, killing wolves, and SUVs via Manifest Destiny as they define it - humans will to take over the earth as God's will.

Granted others see Manifest Destiny as stewards of the land. But then they support "clean coal" and "safe nuclear"...which really means they've bought into the lie.

[Angry Dragon]

2. I am glad to see another religion article

that promotes the goodness in church leaders.

[say_hello]

10. Kicked

:kick:

[Uncle Joe]

11. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Ed Barrow.:thumbsup: