Louis CK: Shouldn't All Christians be Environmentalists?

Continuing the rebuttal to Rick Santorum's contention that God's cool with us destroying the planet, from Louis CK's Live at the Beacon Theater:

His rejection of environmental stewardship only shows the depth of Santorum's cafeteria Catholicism - Pope Benedict XVI himself is a climate activist. There's also the evangelical Creation Care movement, the Jewish Climate Initiative and the Muslim-hosted international conference on climate change.


Graphic via WarmingGlow.UpRoxx.com - go see their Louis CK slideshow.

Tea Partiers Only Trust Elites Who Make Money Off Them

The NYTimes today reports on how the Tea Party is being spoon-fed climate denial by big polluters like Koch Industries, conveniently laundered by conservative media mouthpieces:

“It’s a flat-out lie,” Mr. Dennison said in an interview after the debate, adding that he had based his view on the preaching of Rush Limbaugh and the teaching of Scripture. “I read my Bible,” Mr. Dennison said. “He made this earth for us to utilize.” 

Skepticism and outright denial of global warming are among the articles of faith of the Tea Party movement, here in Indiana and across the country. For some, it is a matter of religious conviction; for others, it is driven by distrust of those they call the elites.

Distrust of elites? Rush Limbaugh made $285 million from 2001 through 2008, then signed a contract with salary & bonuses totaling $400 million from 2009 through 2016! Telling Tea Partiers whatever they want to hear so they'll keep listening has been great for business.

But let's say you're a climate scientist like Michael Mann (science denier Ken Cuccinelli's favorite target) at Penn State University. Using the estimates at indeed.com, a scientist like Mann would have to work 588 years to make what Limbaugh does in one year. Who's the real "elite"?

Finally, I don't recall the part of the Bible where the Lord instructed man to take his creation and act like we're holding the Miami University Pi Beta Phi spring formal. But Genesis 2:15 does say, "The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it."

Are We Just Keeping an Eye on the Place Until He Gets Back?

Ever hear of the Creation Care movement? It started last year when a group of Evangelicals began calling on all Christians to push for federal legislation that would reduce carbon dioxide emissions in an effort to stem global warming. Grist's "God and the Environment" series provides a detailed background of the movement and its history. Since then, other faiths have joined the cause. A quick Yahoo search even turns up a Mennonite Creation Care group.

There's been a backlash among some Evangelicals. Some may be true skeptics; others may be so in lockstep with the GOP on social issues that they've decided to embrace its global warming denial as well.

The public reason given for the creation care opposition makes me think it's the latter. Opposition Evangelicals said, "Global warming is not a consensus issue, and our love for the Creator and respect for His creation does not require us to take a position." Yes, since when does organized religion take a stance on anything that everyone doesn't agree on? That would be crazy.

Whatever you celebrate, The Green Miles wishes you a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year, and a Happy Festivus! I just hope your Festivus pole is made out of recycled aluminum.