Southern Baptists are finally getting it! Hallelujah! Southern Baptists are finally getting it! Well, some of them are, anyway. And that’s a start.
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It took forever—and for a while there I never thought it would happen—but even Southern Baptists are, at last, “getting” that we have an environment that we have to protect.
In what The New York Times yesterday called “a significant departure” from the Southern Baptist Convention’s “official stance” on global warming, 44 Southern Baptist leaders have broken from the pack to issue a statement that, for them, had to have taken enormous courage…even though, for the rest of the world, it may seem like a simple noticing of the obvious.
Times journalist Neela Banerjee reports that those leaders “have decided to back a declaration on climate change.”
Now that is news. No kidding around. That is news.
Southern Baptists are, of course, among the most politically and socially conservative people around. And most conservatives, if you don’t know it, do not believe there even is a Climate Change Problem. They regularly poo-poo the views of environmentalists on this (and most every other) subject, have roundly denounced Al Gore’s movie/book An Inconvenient Truth as a pack of, well, wild exaggerations, if not outright lies, and have even, in some instances, called the whole climate change claim a gigantic hoax.
Now come over 40 members of the leadership of this movement to tell us that, on this subject, their denomination has had it…er…wrong. The group that signed what was called “A Southern Baptist Declaration on the Environment and Climate Change” included Rev. Frank Page, the current president of the Southern Baptist Convention, as well as Rev. Jack Graham and Rev. James Merritt—two Convention past presidents. In other words, some movers and shakers within the movement, which, with 16 million members, is the second largest religious denomination in the United States (Roman Catholics are first).
In their Declaration these 44 leaders said, in part, “We believe our current denominational engagement with these issues has often been too timid, failing to produce a unified moral voice.”
You have to understand what a departure this is. The Times reports that just last year the Southern Baptist Convention passed a resolution that took “a more skeptical view of global warming.”
Yet this new Declaration pulled no punches. Other wording from the present document includes this paragraph:
“Our cautious response to these issues in the face of mounting evidence may be seen by the world as uncaring, reckless and ill-informed.”
So let’s give credit where credit is due. That statement, from the current president. two past presidents, and 41 other denominational leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention will surely draw some disagreement (if not antagonism) from other members of their group.
It is true, of course, that evidence of global warming—and of mankind’s role in creating it–is mounting (to the point of making the matter embarrassingly clear), and so this Declaration may, indeed, seem to be a simple statement of the obvious—yet sometimes (in fact, usually) even stating the obvious can get you in trouble.
Kudos, then, to the Southern Baptist leadership for signing on to a document that, according to the New York Times report, “also urges ministers to preach more about the environment and for all Baptists to keep an open mind about considering environmental policy.”
But don’t get too excited just yet. As the same Times story noted, while the new Declaration on climate change was certainly noteworthy, “Still, many powerful Southern Baptist leaders and agencies did not sign the declaration, including the convention’s influential political arm, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission.”
It would seem that George Bernard Shaw had it right. “All great truth,” he famously said, “begins as blasphemy.”
Beliefnet
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posted March 11, 2008 at 7:39 am
Way to go Neale and those who think we are contributing to the global warming of our planet! I would add something Alfred North Whitehead wrote, “There are no whole truths; all truths are half-truths. It is trying to treat them as whole truths that plays the devil.” It all depends on our perception and our perspective. For example, it used to be the belief that the sun rose and set – from the perspective while on the ground. However when astronauts viewed the earth from space they had a different perspective. So the truth of the sun rising and setting is a half-truth – depending on our perspective.
posted March 11, 2008 at 2:56 pm
who knows if global warming is real. wayne dyer says he can move clouds with his mind. the government supposedly has technology to effect the weather (cloud seeding). maybe our environment is just an outward expression of our inward state.
in any case, i think it is unchristian to pollute and treat the creation like garbage.
posted March 11, 2008 at 3:02 pm
The Vatican list top “sins”
The Fan
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LOVE and PEACE
Marceau
posted March 11, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Come join me in the new Conversations with God study group in Beliefnet Groups this month we are discussing God is communicating with us all the time. Post your experiences.
posted March 11, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Everything in life works in cycles. Everything!! And from everything even destruction comes new beginnings. There is evidence of this in science and religion. When someone claims the end is near, well they may in fact be correct, the end is inherent, always occuring as well as always beginning.
Putting your faith in a higher consciousness and aligning yourself with a more positive thought than “warming” would be a start.
posted March 11, 2008 at 8:48 pm
Dearest heavenly Father,
In the heart of the heart today, today being a disheartening day, my one moment of a gentle smile was in coming upon here to see something in regards to the Southern Baptists. I laughed a bit. And though this post has nothing to do with the actual reasoning of the original post, it still seems to coincide with my own experience. Experiencing the Southern and it’s ways…
i’ve decided to come upon here and journal tonight. Please do not read further if you wish not to share a sorrowful moment in my own life. i am deeply sad this very evening. And while i do not wish to share this with my husband, as i do not wish to continue a complaint that with time would be a nuisance to anyone, while i do not wish to be a nuisance to anyone, i have feelings and they hurt right now. He is still on the other side of the world for only another three weeks. Still long enough with the anticipation growing for the returning troops, that it would not be an appropriate time to share my sorrows accept within cyber world.
Father,
Coming home tonight from yet another long and very draining day of spending time with a woman whom stands to correct me in everything i am, with no exaggeration, i heard a song that finally brought my tears to the surface. Driving across a country side that is so unfamiliar in a land so different than where i am from, i heard you speak to me as you did through the same song at the beginning of 2007 “Baby Fall, go on and fall apart, fall into these arms of mine and i’ll catch you every time you fall, go on and lose it all, every tear, every doubt, every fear, i’m right here…baby fall.” i remember the first time hearing this very song. Feeling judged, feeling misunderstood, feeling unwanted at the time, and all i could do was be who i am, cleaning and making a home look wonderful. And as the song played and i felt lost, while wiping down mop boards, i just crumpled upon the floor and cried. During this time period i had come to accept that while the women of the world have become fully ingrained with womanly independence, that while our societal structure has changed because of the women’s liberation move, i myself was everything different than what i raised to be both by parental and societal forcing by mere upraising education. i was not what i was told i was. And for the first time in my life i found deep peace within myself in knowing that i am fragile, that i am one meant to be at home creating an environment that is “home”, i am meant to follow the man that would lead me knowing that i trust him deeply and inherently with every aspect of my life, as he trusts me to simply love him, and do that which love would do for him. The following year of this acceptance, my life has been changing, moving towards all that i have finally come to accept.
the last two months i have been living in an environment of opposition to who i am, and i am tired and i am drained. Everyday that i must spend with my roommate waiting for the man i will marry, i realized today i am enduring mental abuse. This woman is staunchly independent, gives no lenience to her husbands desires of his wife, defends her thoughts and actions through selfish desires of her own for herself, and yet claims she is what every man wants. She requires to be the center of attention at all times, is doting upon herself and how much she is loved by others, and that other woman are beyond jealous. She can’t stand that officer wives look at her with distaste as she struts in fish net stockings and a sexy dress at the ball. Yet the house is unkept as she pursues her career, her 4 dogs are left for long periods of time, if it were not for me the wood floors would be stained with puppy urination and there would be no order in the house at all, and this is no exaggeration. Her son asks her where something might be, and i answer as she hasn’t any idea. She is loud when lady like manners would dictate such things should be held private and between two people. Over the course of the past few months i have recognized somethings within her that i used to be, things that lead to pain and by the grace of God my life was redirected in the only way that would get through to me. A wise older man took me literally away from the ‘world’ to his home on farm land with the snake river 500 feet away from his back door. There was no television. there was no telephone. My communication with my family was cut off the moment we left the city in his vehicle. the living room had one beautiful couch, two chairs that sat in front of a fireplace. The only music to listen to was U2, Bruce Springstein and church music. A used artisian rug lay on the floor, and an LDS church pew underneath the window. On the walls was solely his art. All original pieces, never to be sold to anyone. i remember him stating, “look at what i surround myself with. Would i not want the person whom i spend my time with to be of similar nature?” And i looked about me to realize his work was elegant and amazing, simple yet profound; and in that moment as i saw his work i realized he viewed me the same, as it was i he spent his time with. And, he worded it that i might realize myself my own meaning, instead of telling me that which i am. And i let go of demeaning aspects of myself in what i thought i should be. i learned a new type of beauty that was more beautiful than before. My entire time with my teacher elevated my understanding on so many levels to such a higher level. And now as i move into that person on my own, i am confronted with a constant pounding from my exact opposite.
Today was as difficult as any normal day with her, however she dug deeper today. And today i felt hurt deeply. In who i am, i wear dresses and skirts accept when doing housework, outside yard work or exercising. i listen in all things to my future husband. i look forward to bringing his children into the world. i have manners. i do not “party” any longer. i do not even find the elements of such as remotely appealing. She knows all of these things about me. And one by one all of me has in some way been attacked verbally by her over the course of the last two months.
My future husband has worked hard from the other side of the world, to change my mind regarding polygamy, and has helped me to open to cherishing a truly monogamous, committed and loving relationship between solely two people. In the last couple of days i have been quietly overjoyed that such love does exist! And that i of all people, am lucky enough to be chosen to have such a wonderful man that believes and does such good things. i felt quietly humbled, joyed and so very thankful. i have felt very loved. And in the midst of my own joy and my changing mind at the encouragement of him, comes along a fortress built strong in an attempt to wipe out any joy that i might feel. It hurt deeply today with her repetition of her thoughts in that she didn’t care what any person said, given the right circumstances and opportunity any man would cheat on their wife. This repetition occurring, even after several times i had informed her that my future husband has helped me to change my mind to knowing there are truly loving, committed and monogamous men still existing in the world today. It hurt deeply to know that while my future husband was on the phone with me in her presence, and for the first time in her presence, she would scream things so that he might hear in an act to be flirtatious with him. i had to listen to her stories of her telling a male coworker that while he is at a concert and away from his wife, to go “get some” as his wife is pregnant and is uncomfortable with such right now. i had to sit through watching her being flirtatious with another military wifes husband. The second thing that hurt me deeply is her stories of her family in which she stated her grandfather crushed her grandmother. when she was young she would dance upon tables, was the light of the party and free spirited. And she stated that he destroyed her. There was much more to her words than this, but these words were repetitive. And, it was as if she was challenging me, and stating this is what i had or was become.
i wanted to tell her of all the wild things i myself have done. i wanted to tell her i too could manipulate and sweet talk almost any man i wanted, and have done so in times past. i wanted to tell her of my experiences with high class men,rich men, intelligent men, men… i wanted to tell her of the toys and the trips, and the exploration. i wanted to tell her that amidst it all, i was empty and cold, there was no meaning. i found more meaning walking along farm land, along a river, seeing a spot where a deep pile of cans and bottle had been left by uncaring people, and the joy i felt in one by one picking them up and clearing the bank. i wanted to tell her that to look into my future husbands eyes and help him understand that i was trained to be a wife, and this was for him, was more meaningful and real than any experience prior. but i didn’t. i didn’t say a word that would cause her pain. i simply stated “it leads to bad things.”, and held my tongue.
And as we drove i felt weak, physically drained, tired and emotionally numb. i watched the landscape pass by my passenger seat window. i wondered, beyond my husband, what am i doing here? Why am i in this land? and i felt the vulnerability of being so far away from home, knowing no one, nothing being familiar, feeling very alone, and to top it off feeling beat upon by the opposition of myself. And the song came on “Fall, baby just fall apart. Fall into these arms of mine and i’ll catch you, every time you fall, go on and lose it all. Every tear, every doubt, every fear…i’m right here. Baby fall” and the tears began to flow silently as i looked out the window, and as the tears began to fall and the song continued to play, the next moment i saw a field and a tractor plowing it, almost like a soothing balm to some connection of what i’ve come to know as good and real and comforting. It was the smallest of moment, but a moment of my joy in the midst of a thousand recent moments filled with so much rain. It was like a small drink of water. i do have to believe that with rain, fruit shortly follows…
Father, i’m ready now. i’m ready for you to come. i can fall now… you’re will be done, as i know it is pure love for me, and for all. And through it, the best of all things is what is and what will be… i have been obedient. i have been good. where is the reward? Because i continue to experience pain. What do you want? i give in. Tell me what to do, so long as it will lead to peace and true joy for all.
love always,
Birdie
posted March 11, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Dear Birdie,
Are you in this country? I was trying to figure out where exactly is your husband?? It sounds like life has become quite bewildering to you, yet somehow you are able to find light under a weight of darkness. How brave of you to even look! I feel sometimes in the surrender, the freedom to just exist is not enough and that is when I am the most surprised to find that which i least expected. It is as if it were there all along waiting for me to get to this point as if I was prepared and how could that be? Life is such a crazy, sweet mystery. With each question there is always an answer. With each regret an equal triumph. When you seek, you always find and what you want to see is there it may just take some focus. You are right to believe in the rain, rain washes away all that is not strong enough to take hold, and gives life to all willing to wait out its storm.
Remember that true joy and love exists in each of us don’t wait for someone else to point it out—search for it and you will find it Birdie–
I’m sending my light and love to you,
Michelle Ma Belle
posted March 11, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Dear Birdie,
You are not alone! I know their are groups for the wives of service men. I think you should feel so proud of yourself for staying true to your convictions. You have to keep in mind that each time we are able to make it thru such trying times, we do get rewarded. I have made it thru every form of abuse. I have cried out to God some of the same things. I begged for it to end. Well, now I am proof here today to tell you that it will end.
First of all you need to view your situation in a third person view. This helps disconnect the emotional side a bit. Think of it this way. What is two months in the scheme of things. It really is not a lot of time when you figure the days, months, and then years you will have in the rest of your life to be together.
Then think of your roommates attacks as her way of showing or expressing her sadness. Know that she is only using you to vent her own sorrow and above all else QUIT TAKING HER WORDS PERSONALLY!
I promise that if you hang in there your situation will improve! We go thru what we do for a reason. Turn your situation around and find other wives who are feeling the same way. I am sure they would like to hear what you are going thru because everyone is looking for someone who understands. They want someone to talk to who has been there or is still there. You could help a lot of women.
Everything happens for a reason and it is up to you to make good come from the bad. I promise you also that “YOU ARE STRONGER THAN YOU REALIZE!!!” I know because I too have been to the extreme.
That which does not kill us, only serves to make us stronger. Though I agree with most of your views, I do agree that men do want a strong women. Not the kind of strength that your roommate talks about, but the silent strength that comes from knowing that you will be fine no matter what comes your way. It is a silent confidence that will shine thru you all on its own.
May God Bless your mind and your soul with peace in great abundance!
I send my prayers,
Kim Gigowski
posted March 12, 2008 at 4:24 am
I really do not , and i will repeat this statement,I do not believe that there is global warming produced by mankind.
It is from people who cannot remember. They are stuck in their own shit. They believe we can end this world. I know we don’t.
There is no global warming, it is a movement of the mother earth and it is going on for millions of years. And thats what most of us cannot see. (or feel)
posted March 12, 2008 at 6:31 am
Hey Walter,
I agree. Why would we be gifted with the intelligence to create what we have without the ability to figure out our own solutions? I agree that our progress may have some affect on the environment, but “global warming” and I’ve growned weary of the phrase, is happening regardless. We all go through a change in life. I believe the signs are there for us to be prepared, not try and stop something inevitable. This doen’t mean I am not in favor of better emission controls/standards as well as not taking advantage of our resources,it just means it is so natural for all of this to be occuring. Our own bodies do it.
What I would love to see is a focus on giving back to mother Earth, better communing, respect and daily gratitude for all that we have been given—I think that we ALL can do more of this. I’ve been saying for years, WE DID NOT GIVE THE NATIVE AMERICAN INDIANS OR ANY INDIGENOUS PEOPLE ENOUGH RECOGNITION AND CREDIT FOR ALL THEY KNOW AND ALL THEY DID TO RESPECT MOTHER EARTH. I FIGURED THERE WOULD BE A DAY OF COMING BACK TO THAT. I hope they still remember and can teach us or want to teach us.
Michelle Ma Belle
posted March 12, 2008 at 6:43 pm
whether you believe in global warming or not we all have to look at both sides. it seems to me that the facts are that the earth is changing but they also tell us that we are not yet sure what these effects are going to cause. Many say that instead of hotter temps we are actuall heading for another ice age. I don’t support the catch phase global warming because it seems like fear mongering to me. I do however believe that it is time for a new dirrection like solar power in the desert and more nuclear better batteries for cars and stuff like this. we have to move foward because we have abetter plan not because we are affraid of global warming. we need to create a shift in our reality in which become the change like neal tells us be the change we wish to see. we want DC to look at global warming. how about we give them something they cannot turn away form. like new technology. Ryan
posted March 13, 2008 at 5:06 am
We do not have to look at both sides Ryan. You have to look at both sides, you think this. Not me.
There is no global warming Ryan. You have to dig deep to understand this. But it is just under youre skin. This knowledge to know there is no both sides on what is making this world turn.
posted March 20, 2008 at 2:51 pm
it seems to me that we have a lot to understand before we make rash decision that will effect us for many years to come. I don’t see the need for personal attack. this is simply a place for opinion on neals thoughts. I did not say global warming did or didn’t exist. if you read my who statement you’ll see this. the world is changing do you know what to come? wheather man has alot or a little to do with it is less important. we do have an effect. the real question is not global warming or not but how do we fix our energy problems so we don’t have to fight over it.the world works exactly the way it needs to. according to what people want.