Christian Environmentalism

Recently I have become much more passionate about conservation and being sensitive to and aware of environmental issues. I believe as Christians this should be a topic where we are at the forefront of conservation efforts, but sadly that is not the case. For many Christians the term environmentalist conjures up images of the hemp wearing hippy that chains themselves to a tree in protest of one thing or another. This is an image a lot of people do not associate with and therefore see environmentalism as someone else’s cause not their own. Some Christians see environmentalism as just a belief by Darwinist scientists that we are ruining our world and do not feel that is the case at all. Some do not even believe it is possible for us to ruin our world because God would not let that happen. Or finally, and most disturbingly in my opinion, people just do not care, they are wrapped up in their own lives with no regard for the effects which every day actions have upon our planet.

I believe that environmentalism should be a topic that is discussed and promoted within our churches. As a Christian you hear the occasional “we need to be good stewards of our planet,” thrown around, but how much action follows that hollow phrase? How many churches actually have programs which give their parishioners practical applications of that sentiment? I would love to see the idea of responsibility when it comes to taking care of the world God gave us talked bout in sermons, promoted in programs, and accepted by all who believe in God all mighty as the supreme creator of the Universe. I want to see this idea become as much a part of Christian thought and life as “love thy neighbor.”

I think there are some practical ways this can be done. First there can be groups or studies which educate people on the many ways we are wasteful in our everyday lives, like how many disposable non-recyclable items we use, or ways we can conserve water and electricity. We can push the idea of ride sharing and using public transportation where it is available. We can educate people on the devastating effects our wasteful ways have had on natural habitats and why that is a terrible thing, something I think our urbanized society loses perspective on. Even pollution is a topic which needs addressing. I know it’s effects are debatable and there is no consensus on global warming or global cooling or if there is no global climate change at all, but whatever your stance is all the chemicals we are pumping into the air is not a good thing.

These are just a few ideas that I have come up with and I know there are many more out there. I encourage all of you to read blogs and articles in newspapers, magazines and on the internet about this subject. Educate yourself and educate others because if we do not come to a consensus as human beings, believers or not, that we would like this planet to be an enjoyable place to live for centuries to come I see a rather ugly and miserable existence ahead.

Liberal and Conservative

The terms “liberal” and “conservative” are very polarizing concepts in our society today, a fact which was very evident in this past year being that it was an election year. We have apprehended the two words to represent political views of those on the left and the right in a very specific manner, however in reality the terms liberal and conservative are much more general in their respective original uses. Neither term is necessarily being used incorrectly, but I think many people forget that it has not and will not always represent the exact political views which it at present does.

Conservative is the best example of this metamorphosis of meaning. The word conservative, in the political sense of the word, really only describes those that have a desire to hold on to the values and traditions of the past and who generally resist change. In our society those views that are considered conservative are ones such as; being anti-abortion, or pro-guns, or even anti-big government. These are just generalized examples which do not even apply to all people who consider themselves conservative, but it shows the specific nature of the commonly held connotation of the word. The specifics that are associated with conservative views today are not the same as those held 100 years ago or even 50 years ago for that matter, and they will not be the same as those held 100 years in the future. Values and traditions will inevitably change as time goes on no matter how much people want to hold on to those of the past. As times change those that certain individuals feel are being lost and need to be preserved will be the ones deemed conservative not necessarily the ones we see now.

The term liberal is a bit of a different case. Liberal is commonly used to connote those holding more progressive political views contrary to the conservative holding on to the past. This term in its actual historical use has usually been used to talk about something being free as in liberal democracy or liberal capitalism. Instead of being just a narrower definition, today’s usage of the term is something different all together, again defining specific political views of those deemed to be on the “left.” I must admit ignorance as to how the term was apprehended for its modern definition but nonetheless it is something almost completely different.