Over the last 12 years or so, I have really begun to hate politics. There’s too much judging, criticism and hate going on, and so I have unfortunately turned away from that spectrum for a little while – or at least turned away from engaging in much rhetoric about it. (Outside of a little fun on FaceBook provoking of my favorite political college student, who shall stay unnamed.) Anyway, this is a bit of walking on the edge for me, a slight advance into a topic that could turn very political.
Last week, the man we refer to as Pope Benedict XVI gave his usual and customary New Years Mass speech. During this talk, the head of the Catholic Church stated:
“Nevertheless, in this moment, I would like to underline the importance of the choices of individuals, families and local administrations in preserving the environment,”
and
“An objective shared by all, an indispensable condition for peace, is that of overseeing the earth’s natural resources with justice and wisdom.”
Well, this has troubled me a little bit over the past few days because the headlines and the new bits say “Pope Urges Lifestyle Changes to Save Planet”. Hm. I have always been a conservationist. I agree with the Pope. I have thought for years that Christians should be leading the charge to take care of the planet. You see, its our charge and responsibility. God created the Earth and gave “dominion” to man –
26 Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image and likeness. And let them rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the tame animals, over all the earth, and over all the small crawling animals on the earth.” (Genesis 1:26, New Century Version)
God has asked us, no charged us with taking care of the world he has created. So we should be going green for God. Taking care of the planet, wisely using its resources, recycling, watching our consumption – these are Godly principles – all in the same vein as the message we are given to take care of our bodies, the temple of God.
18Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. 19Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. – 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 (New International Version)
The beef I have here, however, is the apparent lack of trust or faith in God, when we as men think we can change our behavior and “save the planet”. Its God’s planet. The whole notion that we can destroy it or save it seems a little off base for me. ( Now, I think we can make it a terrible place to live, or we can make it a great place to live, by our actions) It sort of reminds me of the Tower of Babel.
So consider this. I think we should jump in the bandwagon and Go Green for God, because He (not via the Pope) asked us to, not in a last ditch effort to save the planet.
Go Green! Thoughts?