| an find very different attitudes towards | | | | These beliefs inspire new-agers to action. Atheists |
| environment and global warming problem among | | | | on the other hand believe that this world, |
| Christians. There are of course Christians who | | | | however bad and imperfect, is the only world we |
| simply do not care and do not see any real | | | | have. So whatever we feel, we better do |
| connection between their religion and the idea to | | | | something about it or we will simply cease to |
| save the planet. Religion is about saving humanity, | | | | exist as a race! If there is no afterlife you |
| spiritually speaking, not the planet, right? Before | | | | naturally have a very strong motivation to |
| moving to the answer to this question, | | | | preserve this life and this world. |
| let’s have a quick look at another, even | | | | So, what about Christian beliefs and environmental |
| less eco-friendly Christian attitude. | | | | concern? Are Christian beliefs actually a |
| Many Christians (evangelicals) believe in the | | | | disadvantage for someone who wants to take |
| second coming of Christ, but some of them | | | | eco-friendly attitude? Not necessarily. This of |
| believe that Christ’s second coming is | | | | course mainly depends on one’s choice of |
| imminent, that it will happen very soon. Majority | | | | Christian theology. Which biblical messages are |
| of those in this second subgroup also point to | | | | more, and which are less important and relevant |
| global warming phenomenon as a sign before | | | | today? Such hermeneutical decisions, for |
| Christ’s coming – a prime example | | | | Christians who take Bible more seriously, guide |
| of such a sign actually! Such interpretation of the | | | | their ethical priorities and lead to decisions. |
| prophecy also includes the claim that we really | | | | There is an important difference between |
| can’t do anything in this matter to make | | | | focusing mainly on the texts where God |
| things better. The belief, that Christ will come | | | | threatens to destroy the earth because of the |
| very soon and that global warming is an important | | | | sins of humans (e.g. “I, the Lord, now |
| sign of His coming, naturally leads to the belief | | | | promise to destroy everything on this |
| that there is no point in “saving the | | | | earth”(Zep 1,2)) and on the other hand |
| planet”. Not only will this planet burn in | | | | focusing on the threats that He will destroy the |
| destruction in a very near future, but you are | | | | destroyers of the earth (“It is time to |
| actually working against the prophecy (and so | | | | destroy everyone who has destroyed the |
| against God) if you are trying to save the planet. | | | | earth.” Rev 11,8). Also, the responsibility |
| Not to mention the peril of wasting your time and | | | | towards the whole of mankind, which is for |
| energy you should use for other more important | | | | majority the single most important reason why |
| things to do. The comment of the late evangelical | | | | we should care about the environment at all, is |
| leader Jerry Falwell, that “the | | | | present in the biblical idea of the first human |
| myth” of global warming is a | | | | couple and the human race as a big family |
| “Satan's attempt to redirect the church's | | | | (whether Adam and Eve are literal or a symbolic |
| primary focus” is just one expression of | | | | doesn’t matter here, the very idea of the |
| such a position. | | | | human family is what counts). Yet another |
| Even if these beliefs are not so explicit and | | | | positive route to environmental ethics in Christian |
| widespread, and despite the change of mood in | | | | theology is praising the inherent value and beauty |
| the environmental issues among the evangelical | | | | of Creation, which definitely doesn’t lack in |
| leaders in the USA in last couple of years, there is | | | | the Bible (Gen 1:31, Ps 104, Rom 1:20, etc.). Most |
| still a general feel of relative passivity in relation to | | | | of these positive reasons for environmental |
| the environmental issues among many evangelical | | | | concern are of course present also in Judaism and |
| and also other Christians. In the internet and in | | | | can be found in Islam too. |
| other media you will much more likely find | | | | So, there are many starting points for a Christian |
| new-age believers and atheist defending the green | | | | believer when deciding why to take environmental |
| attitude. Why? Majority of new-age | | | | issues seriously. Christianity need not be |
| belief-systems include belief in (equal) sanctity of | | | | eco-unfriendly at all. |
| all life, a belief in Gaia Mother Earth, and similar. | | | | |