CLIMATE CHANGE
CHRISTIANS HAVE ‘CLIMATE GRIEF.’ HOW CAN CHURCHES SUPPORT THEM?
In every U.S. congregation, there are likely people experiencing grief, fear, or anger on behalf of creation.
Most Americans now know that the climate is changing; according to recent surveys, a majority now also feel some level of climate-related stress or anxiety. But when terms like “climate grief” and “eco-anxiety” show up in the news, stories often point people toward individual behavior changes or activism, according to a recent study in the journal Environmental Research: Health. Missing from the conversation is the spiritual dimension of the climate crisis and the role that faith communities can play.
(Sojourners 6/12/24) READ MORE>>>>>
In every U.S. congregation, there are likely people experiencing grief, fear, or anger on behalf of creation.
Most Americans now know that the climate is changing; according to recent surveys, a majority now also feel some level of climate-related stress or anxiety. But when terms like “climate grief” and “eco-anxiety” show up in the news, stories often point people toward individual behavior changes or activism, according to a recent study in the journal Environmental Research: Health. Missing from the conversation is the spiritual dimension of the climate crisis and the role that faith communities can play.
(Sojourners 6/12/24) READ MORE>>>>>
There’s a link between climate crisis and Christian nationalism, McLaren says
Americans must connect the dots between the earth’s climate crisis and the resurgence of Christian nationalism and white supremacy, according to activist and theologian Brian McLaren. But they must do so without falling into defeatism or complacency, he added. “The fact that the environment influences every dimension of life makes it of special concern,” McLaren explained during a recent episode of the “The State of Belief” podcast moderated by Interfaith Alliance President Paul Raushenbush. “It’s easy for climate to get off of the headlines unless Canadian wildfires bring a cloud of smoke in our direction or unless the headlines are saying we’ve just had the hottest month or the hottest year,” McLaren said. “But once the headline is gone, it is easy to forget about the environment.” (Baptist News Global; 5/21/24) READ MORE>>>>>
Americans must connect the dots between the earth’s climate crisis and the resurgence of Christian nationalism and white supremacy, according to activist and theologian Brian McLaren. But they must do so without falling into defeatism or complacency, he added. “The fact that the environment influences every dimension of life makes it of special concern,” McLaren explained during a recent episode of the “The State of Belief” podcast moderated by Interfaith Alliance President Paul Raushenbush. “It’s easy for climate to get off of the headlines unless Canadian wildfires bring a cloud of smoke in our direction or unless the headlines are saying we’ve just had the hottest month or the hottest year,” McLaren said. “But once the headline is gone, it is easy to forget about the environment.” (Baptist News Global; 5/21/24) READ MORE>>>>>
What Medieval Poets Can Teach Us About Climate Change, and What Evangelicals Today Get Wrong
Most climate-change deniers in the United States are devout Christians. Sixty-eight percent of Evangelical Protestants believe either that the earth is getting warmer naturally and benignly, or that isn’t getting warmer at all. They dismiss climate change science for the simple reason that God created the earth for mankind to use, and He wouldn’t destroy it, because was made for us. The Evangelical Declaration on Global Warming opens by saying, “We believe the Earth and its ecosystems—created by God’s intelligent design and infinite power and sustained by His faithful providence—are robust, resilient, self-regulating, and self-correcting, admirably suited for human flourishing.” As a scholar of medieval religion, culture, and literature, I am utterly perplexed by this belief, because I study a period and region of history where people were, if anything more devoutly and observantly Christian, and I’m here to tell you: medieval English people had no problem believing in climate change and ecosystemic collapse. Like contemporary Christians, medieval Christians did believe in a providential God. They also believed Nature’s functionality was guaranteed by His will. But they did not believe that, since Nature was underwritten by divine will, Nature would automatically take care of them. (Literary Hub 4/22/24) READ MORE>>>>>
Most climate-change deniers in the United States are devout Christians. Sixty-eight percent of Evangelical Protestants believe either that the earth is getting warmer naturally and benignly, or that isn’t getting warmer at all. They dismiss climate change science for the simple reason that God created the earth for mankind to use, and He wouldn’t destroy it, because was made for us. The Evangelical Declaration on Global Warming opens by saying, “We believe the Earth and its ecosystems—created by God’s intelligent design and infinite power and sustained by His faithful providence—are robust, resilient, self-regulating, and self-correcting, admirably suited for human flourishing.” As a scholar of medieval religion, culture, and literature, I am utterly perplexed by this belief, because I study a period and region of history where people were, if anything more devoutly and observantly Christian, and I’m here to tell you: medieval English people had no problem believing in climate change and ecosystemic collapse. Like contemporary Christians, medieval Christians did believe in a providential God. They also believed Nature’s functionality was guaranteed by His will. But they did not believe that, since Nature was underwritten by divine will, Nature would automatically take care of them. (Literary Hub 4/22/24) READ MORE>>>>>
Evangelicals With Deep Pockets Are Funding Climate Change Denial
In a baffling display of cognitive dissonance, two “Christian” Texas billionaires, Farris and Dan Wilks, have emerged as the patrons of climate change denialism. Their substantial wealth, built on an industry that contributes substantially to the destruction of the planet, now fuels a movement that contradicts both the scientific consensus and the teachings of their professed faith. When he’s not pillaging the earth of its natural resources, one of the brothers, Farris Wilks is the pastor of a modest church known as the Assembly of Yahweh in Cisco, Texas… and a freaking rich Pastor, at that. They have made their fortune from fossil fuel extraction using oil and gas fracking (Good Man Project 3/10/24) READ MORE>>>>>
In a baffling display of cognitive dissonance, two “Christian” Texas billionaires, Farris and Dan Wilks, have emerged as the patrons of climate change denialism. Their substantial wealth, built on an industry that contributes substantially to the destruction of the planet, now fuels a movement that contradicts both the scientific consensus and the teachings of their professed faith. When he’s not pillaging the earth of its natural resources, one of the brothers, Farris Wilks is the pastor of a modest church known as the Assembly of Yahweh in Cisco, Texas… and a freaking rich Pastor, at that. They have made their fortune from fossil fuel extraction using oil and gas fracking (Good Man Project 3/10/24) READ MORE>>>>>
Essay: Faith communities are rallying to check climate change - their size and influence counts
According to the United Nations Environment Programme, more than 80 per cent of the global population are motivated by a faith or spirituality. Faced with the triple planetary crises of pollution, biodiversity loss and climate change, what role can faith communities play in saving the planet? In a recent publication, we looked at the role of two faith-based organisations – the Green Anglicans movement, which is present in 13 African countries, and UNEP’s Faith for Earth Initiative, a UN program which partners with faith-based organisations on development goals. Our aim was to find out what role faith and religion can play in addressing climate change both at the grassroots and within the UN. (Rachel Mash/Sight 11/29/23) Read More>>>>>
According to the United Nations Environment Programme, more than 80 per cent of the global population are motivated by a faith or spirituality. Faced with the triple planetary crises of pollution, biodiversity loss and climate change, what role can faith communities play in saving the planet? In a recent publication, we looked at the role of two faith-based organisations – the Green Anglicans movement, which is present in 13 African countries, and UNEP’s Faith for Earth Initiative, a UN program which partners with faith-based organisations on development goals. Our aim was to find out what role faith and religion can play in addressing climate change both at the grassroots and within the UN. (Rachel Mash/Sight 11/29/23) Read More>>>>>
ACTIONS NOT WORDS, THE SACRAMENTAL SIGNS OF CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE
50 years ago last month my dad, the local vicar, stood in front of a bulldozer on the edge of Durham city to stop it clearing a site on Flass Vale a bit of urban wilderness. This sparked a local campaign to stop the development and included a mass picnic which hundreds attended. Flass Vale was saved and my dad’s non-violent direct action helped spark action and continues to inspire me. So many weasel words are spoken, so many speeches pledging action on global warming are delivered, oil companies spend millions (tiny proportions of their profits) on advertising their green credentials. Thousands of rousing speeches are given at protest marches, millions of words are written in petition, thousands of messages in Whatts App, Signal etc. As each year passes, I become more convinced that the way for me to protest is not through words but rather symbolic action. Often saying nothing, letting the action speak for itself. ‘Actions not Words’ as one of the CCA banners reminds us. (Christian Climate Action 10/7/23) READ MORE>>>>>
50 years ago last month my dad, the local vicar, stood in front of a bulldozer on the edge of Durham city to stop it clearing a site on Flass Vale a bit of urban wilderness. This sparked a local campaign to stop the development and included a mass picnic which hundreds attended. Flass Vale was saved and my dad’s non-violent direct action helped spark action and continues to inspire me. So many weasel words are spoken, so many speeches pledging action on global warming are delivered, oil companies spend millions (tiny proportions of their profits) on advertising their green credentials. Thousands of rousing speeches are given at protest marches, millions of words are written in petition, thousands of messages in Whatts App, Signal etc. As each year passes, I become more convinced that the way for me to protest is not through words but rather symbolic action. Often saying nothing, letting the action speak for itself. ‘Actions not Words’ as one of the CCA banners reminds us. (Christian Climate Action 10/7/23) READ MORE>>>>>
On global warming, yes, there is hope
(RNS) — After reading last week’s column, “Global warming is here and getting worse,” my brother, who is president of a Jesuit high school, responded, “Great article, but you just describe the problems. I’d never let you out of my office until you gave me a solution.” The good news is there are ways to reduce and eliminate the growth in global warming; the bad news is I am not sure we will implement them fast enough. As I mentioned in my column last week, human-caused climate change threatens life as we know it on the planet. Sadly, too many people deny the science or don’t make it a priority. As a result, some politicians are not willing to make the tough decisions to deal with climate change.
(Thomas Reese/Red Letter Christians 8/25/23)Read More>>>>>
(RNS) — After reading last week’s column, “Global warming is here and getting worse,” my brother, who is president of a Jesuit high school, responded, “Great article, but you just describe the problems. I’d never let you out of my office until you gave me a solution.” The good news is there are ways to reduce and eliminate the growth in global warming; the bad news is I am not sure we will implement them fast enough. As I mentioned in my column last week, human-caused climate change threatens life as we know it on the planet. Sadly, too many people deny the science or don’t make it a priority. As a result, some politicians are not willing to make the tough decisions to deal with climate change.
(Thomas Reese/Red Letter Christians 8/25/23)Read More>>>>>
Terry Defoe
In their article, “Galileo and Global Warming,” Rachel Roller and Louise Huang point out interesting similarities between a 16th century theological controversy involving Galileo Galilei and the contemporary evangelical response to global warming.
Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543) lived around the time of Luther (1483-1546). Copernicus was a Catholic priest who studied the heavens. Based on his observations, he proposed the counter-intuitive idea that the earth orbits the sun, a theory called heliocentrism. This idea was later picked up by Galileo (1564-1642) in Italy. And Galileo’s telescope showed that it was, in fact, true.
Galileo’s claims were rejected by theologians of the day because he had the temerity to challenge orthodoxy, which, based on several verses of the Bible, argued that the earth does not move. Some individuals were invited to look through Galileo’s telescope and see the evidence for themselves. They refused, saying that God didn’t intend for human beings to have telescopic vision, a classic example of motivated denial.
The current controversy over global warming is therefore not the first time that Christians have been reluctant to accept implications of new scientific evidence. In our day, climate change has implications for how we perceive and interact with the natural world, and it requires significant societal and economic changes to mitigate its impacts. Those who work diligently to communicate the needs regarding climate change and global warming find it easy to feel overwhelmed, considering the opposition they often face. The magnitude of the problem and the complexity of its causes and solutions can make it feel like an uphill battle.
Acceptance of climate science is more likely when issues are framed in ways that resonate with rather than threaten group identity. It is counterproductive to force people into an ideological corner. It’s critical to get people of different persuasions to work together on issues of mutual interest. Evangelicals are called upon to be good stewards of God’s creation. Dealing with climate change gives them a chance to do just that. --Terry DeFoe; Righting America; Evangelicals and Climate Change Denialism 7.26.23
Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543) lived around the time of Luther (1483-1546). Copernicus was a Catholic priest who studied the heavens. Based on his observations, he proposed the counter-intuitive idea that the earth orbits the sun, a theory called heliocentrism. This idea was later picked up by Galileo (1564-1642) in Italy. And Galileo’s telescope showed that it was, in fact, true.
Galileo’s claims were rejected by theologians of the day because he had the temerity to challenge orthodoxy, which, based on several verses of the Bible, argued that the earth does not move. Some individuals were invited to look through Galileo’s telescope and see the evidence for themselves. They refused, saying that God didn’t intend for human beings to have telescopic vision, a classic example of motivated denial.
The current controversy over global warming is therefore not the first time that Christians have been reluctant to accept implications of new scientific evidence. In our day, climate change has implications for how we perceive and interact with the natural world, and it requires significant societal and economic changes to mitigate its impacts. Those who work diligently to communicate the needs regarding climate change and global warming find it easy to feel overwhelmed, considering the opposition they often face. The magnitude of the problem and the complexity of its causes and solutions can make it feel like an uphill battle.
Acceptance of climate science is more likely when issues are framed in ways that resonate with rather than threaten group identity. It is counterproductive to force people into an ideological corner. It’s critical to get people of different persuasions to work together on issues of mutual interest. Evangelicals are called upon to be good stewards of God’s creation. Dealing with climate change gives them a chance to do just that. --Terry DeFoe; Righting America; Evangelicals and Climate Change Denialism 7.26.23
Aug 25, 2023: Red Letter Christians: On global warming, yes, there is hope
he good news is there are ways to reduce and eliminate the growth in global warming; the bad news is I am not sure we will implement them fast enough.
he good news is there are ways to reduce and eliminate the growth in global warming; the bad news is I am not sure we will implement them fast enough.
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May 10, 2023: Post-Gazette: Bart D. Ehrman: Some Christians use the end of the world as an excuse to neglect the environment
Christian theology and global politics can make strange bedfellows. Consider the intimate relationship between fundamentalist expectations of Jesus’ return and market-driven disregard for the environment. |
While many of us continue to worry about how we might indeed destroy ourselves and our planet, incredible numbers put their trust in the ultimate deus ex machina. A 2006 Pew Research Poll showed that 79% of Christians (not just evangelicals) believed that Jesus would indeed return to Earth. More intriguing, a 2010 poll indicated that over half of American Protestants believed he would return by 2050. If a significant portion of the voting public believes the end of our civilization is just 40 years off, why worry about the environment? Why support the Paris climate agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050? It’s no surprise that believers in the Second Coming are significantly more likely to oppose governmental attempts to fight climate change. 5.10.23 |
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Feb 25, 2023: Oregon Public Broadcasting: The Christian case for fighting climate change is being tested in Eastern Oregon
Like many Christian stories, the origin of Climate Vigil began with an awakening. Peter Fargo, who founded the group, traces the idea back to the birth of his son in 2019. “There was something about that moment with our newborn son that I needed to get my attention,” he said. “That was when I said yes to that calling in my heart and soul.” |
Science and religion are often depicted as opposing forces in the debate over climate change, but Fargo isn’t afraid to make an explicitly Christian argument for environmentalism that he believes can capture hearts and minds. In conservative Eastern Oregon, which has been battered by wildfires, floods and decades of drought, he’s counting on his message being especially relevant. And researchers are watching Oregon, and rural America at-large, to see if these types of arguments will break through in communities where these issues can sometimes carry political baggage. 2.25.23 |