From New York Republican Congressman Nick Langworthy, retweeted by Montana’s Republican Congressman Ryan Zinke:
“Outrageous!
A government watchdog group has uncovered Biden's Energy Secretary's meeting with the radical green energy group behind the gas stove ban. This dark-money group has ties to the CCP.”
Setting aside the political aims and the actual questionable, and unelaborated truthfulness implied within this tweet, what about the “environmental movement,” as it may be supported by the Christian Bible? The Bible has certainly been interpreted in practice allowing for unfettered development and the divine right for man’s dominion over nature.
From Pew research, 82% of Republicans or who lean Republican are Christian, 65% of true Independents are Christian and 63% of Democrats or who lean Democrat are Christians. The overall US turnout rate for the 2022 midterm was 46.8% of the voting eligible population, with about 111.5 million casting votes. Republican total votes were 54.5 million, therefore one might estimate about 44.7 million Republican Christians cast votes in the last midterm election.
The US Constitution’s first amendment right for freedom of religion certainly cannot address theological interpretations of the religion in question, nor should it. Yet it would seem that this is no trivial matter in a world with now 414.72 parts per million global atmospheric average carbon dioxide and growing, extinction and biodiversity emergencies, chemical tanker train derailments, etc. Yet it would seem that religious teachings could have benefits toward stewardship of the planet. Furthermore, if the very divisive issue of “environmentalism” with its extreme negative connotations attached in many minds could be addressed within the religious studies of so many, the “political trigger” could perhaps be dampened leading ultimately to positive change.
A quick internet search provides several possible verses on which to base and defend most any legitimate environmental concern. And a thorough search will show that this topic has been extensively written on in the last decade.,
"But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind."
Addressing polluting of the atmosphere (the winds) with greenhouse gasses, perhaps this verse would have merit:
“Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, you are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty, covering yourself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent. He lays the beams of his chambers on the waters; he makes the clouds his chariot; he rides on the wings of the wind; he makes his messengers winds, his ministers a flaming fire. He set the earth on its foundations, so that it should never be moved. …”
Perhaps for environmental justice, this verse:
But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
The teachings seem rather straightforward to me in the Bible, not requiring much deviation from the literal word. Culturally the Bible has not been associated with environmentalism, perhaps partly because of the current unmistakable intersection of politics and Christianity deemed undesirable by our nation’s founding fathers. Environmentalism, being science based, is also a problem with those hostile to science, but this is a discussion for another day.
Unfortunately, within my experience within Christian churches, I can’t recall emphasis in this regard toward the environment. The teachings are there if there is a will to address them openly within a polarized America. It is my prediction that this subject will gain more in importance in the coming years.
My Republican Congressman Ryan Zinke does tweet in his support for maintaining public lands, which is a very big issue in Montana. His actions have not always indicated a respect for the environment however. I am from an agricultural background, and understand the view of farmers, ranchers, miners, timber men, etc. in regards to the land. In practice many are environmentally conscious when supplied with reliable information. It is usually the one or two within a community who are the bad actors, human nature most likely. All are on the whole quite suspicious however of anything attached to environmentalism. Perhaps this approach can be helpful to gain acceptance of needed true stewardship based upon science.
14th Posting, February 22, 2023