Equipping grassroots theologians for creative thinking, engaging, and living.
I just wanted to pass on the good news. We don’t have to worry about global warming because the Bible clearly says humans cannot destroy the Earth. Thanks Rep. John Shimkus (R-Ill) for clearing up this huge misunderstanding.
0:54
The second verse comes from Matthew 24. ‘And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call and they will gather his elect from the four winds from one end of the heavens to the other.’ Man will not destroy this Earth.
UPDATE: Deacon Drew nails it!
[...] countries like ours license to pillage the Earth’s resources and keep others in poverty. Rep. John Shimkus’ recent statements that only God can destroy the Earth probably fit into this category, with the additional point that [...]
[...] at a House Subcommittee on Energy and Environment hearing. He mentioned how important religious voices are to the discussion of climate change and care of creation, so Philip Clayton [...]
[...] University who specializes in the intersection of religion and science, has recorded a reply to Rep. Shimkus’ (Ill.) use of the Bible in a House hearing on global warming. Shimkus basically offered a couple of prooftexts to justify [...]
[...] I support. Today, Rep. Mike Pence (R-Indiana) didn’t do as bad a job with Luke 11:46 as Shimkus did with his Bible quotes. The verse Pence quotes is one of Jesus’ three woes to [...]
I’m trying so hard to be charitable… but the stupid… it’s so thick. So thick…. I may need to start gnashing my teeth.
Oh My!!!!! This is gross. The women in the background’s face is hilarious. She is about as charitable as I could get.
He looks forward to the questions? Maybe someone will come to him with a cup begging for carbon due to our planet’s carbon starvation.
What a goofball! (that’s the nicest way I can phrase it)
You know, I’m happy to agree that humans won’t destroy the planet. That doesn’t mean we can’t make things very, VERY uncomfortable in the meantime.
Good point Cameron, I think we would need Marvin the Martian’s gun or a Death Star to completely annihilate the planet. The point that scientists are making is that if we do not change course immediately, even during this century the poorest, most vulnerable communities of humans (not just polar bears) will suffer the most from climate change. And the Bible says we should protect vulnerable people, if I’m interpreting it correctly.
By the way, my friend Drew has some great thoughts on this video as well:
http://dembones-dembones.blogspot.com/2009/04/one-representatives-theological-take-on.html
F*ck being charitable. This guy is a f*cking retard. If you want to discuss your useless religion go talk to your priest on Sunday. The United States is a secular country and whether or not you like it the Constitution is the most sacred piece of paper according to law. The Bible is quite possibly THE most unscientific document ever created due to the huge disagreement over whether or not it should be taken literally or whether it’s open to interpretation.
WOW, I didn’t know you had such sensible bible genuine believers in Washington. GOD BLESS YOU MR SHIMKUS.
I am worried that an adult and one presumably wielding some political power can say something so ridiculous. I am embarrassed on his behalf. No wonder the US, which I believe specifically has religion separated from the political system by the Constitution scares the rest of the world so much. If you believe in a god, you presumably believe that he gave us a brain to enable us to gather knoowledge. There is only one tried and tested way to do this. It is known as science (the word means knowledge). Other methods such as reading a selective religious book and putting one’s own interpretation on the writings of people from the iron age for todays situation are deeply flawed.
Two more comments :-
1. Man won’t destroy the world, but he may destroy millions of species and himself. The world wouldn’t care (if it could). In a million years of so life will be going merrily along (albeit quite differently to today). We are not important to the planet, but it is important to us. Don’t let the desire to carry on as before blind you to truth.
2. Have a read of Dawkin’s book “The God Delusion”. It amy just help you with your misinterpretation of the world. Religion makes perfect sense if you start from the point that (your particular local) religion is true. Try starting from a neutral point and see if you can find a need for religion from there. One tip – it’s OK to say “I don’t know the answer to that”. No-one knows everything. It’s better to say “I don’t know, but I may do in the future than to accept the “explanation” that the other person gives you.
Good Wishes to all. Live and let live.
Well this is why we must get some fresh thinking out into the hinterlands my friends. As an old friend of mine once said time to get the hay out of the loft.
Pastor Bill
From Middle Earth