Resisting the Green Dragon

There’s a new DVD series available called “Resisting the Green Dragon” that, frankly, gives me the willies. Check it out if you want, or don’t. Basically, far-right “teachable” programs like this are intended to do three things:

1. Convince Christians that the Bible is one-sided on a particular issue that is not clearly addressed by Jesus.
2. In so doing, drive a wedge between Christians, and a particular group and/or movement.
3. Create the illusion among Christians that anything relating to that group/movement is anti-Christian, and therefore evil and dangerous.

There was a series on evolution released not too long ago called “Answers in Genesis“, that was wildly successful in accomplishing #1-3 above. Its primary argument was that the earth is only 10,000 years old — and get this — because the dude added up the lifespans of people mentioned in the Bible. Believe that if you want, but don’t tell me that’s the only accurate Christian world view when there’s ample evidence to the contrary. There are plenty (and I mean PLENTY) of Christians today who think I’m lost because I happen to believe the earth is older than 10,000 years. Wedge created: successful program.

Anyway, back to the Green Dragon. I won’t make any wild accusations about who is behind this new movement to demonize anything relating to environmentalism (cough oil cough republicans), but I will say that I’m worried about the impact this type of series may have as both a citizen of the world, and a Christian.

So, from a non-Christian perspective: Unless encouraged by incentives and government regulation, corporations have very little reason to worry about pollution. If the heart of the republican party (far-right Christians) has an initial negative reaction to environmental tag words (green, global warming, etc.), then republican leaders will have all the support they need to ignore, deny, and block any legislation relating to the environment.

And more importantly, as a Christian, I worry the success of another program that drives a wedge between progressives and the far right will end any chance of getting the two sides together. As I, personally, move towards a more progressive faith, I feel the palpable disdain of those who choose a more conservative path, even in my own family/community. As if each step I take on my walk with God is a step towards something evil. As if I’m being deceived.

What chance do we have on a national/global level if members of the same family cannot overcome their differences? Perhaps that’s my job – to bridge the gap locally, within my own family.

Shimkus Logic

So, this is a week old now, but I’m jumping back because I feel like it warrants some more discussion. I think the ‘holy crap, who IS this guy’ perspective has played itself out. I’m certainly among the throngs of people who’s initial reaction to John Shimkus’ take on environmental responsibility involved some heavy jaw dropping. But I am also a Christian, and I think it’s important to clarify how Shimkus and I can adhere to the same faith yet hold such divergent opinions on climate change.

So, my understanding of Shimkus’ position is as follows: we shouldn’t waste time and/or resources worrying about climate change because God is in control, and God has promised to never “destroy all living creatures” again. Now again, I’m going to try to avoid the knee-jerk response which for me, to be totally honest, includes at least one huge f-bomb.

Instead, I want to talk about how I personally reconcile God’s promise to never ‘destroy the world’ again and a much more serious attitude towards climate change.

Yes – Shimkus is correct, the bible clearly says that God promised to never “destroy all living creatures” again in Genesis.

The LORD smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: “Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done. Genesis 8:21

So… great. God promised to never kill everything on earth. But does that mean God has given man a license to rape the enviroment, to pollute at will without worrying about the consequences?

What if we apply the same “Shimkuslogic” to another of promise of God?

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Would Shimkus say this gives christians a “license to sin”, so to speak? No, of course not. God’s promise to forgive may cover all manner of sin, but it doesn’t mean sin leads to a healthy life. There are real consequences, right here and now, to sin. Cheat on your wife? She may leave you. Lie and steal? You may wind up in jail.

In the same way, there are real and severe consequences to man’s abuse of the environment. I would think that this would be obvious to a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

I personally believe Shimkus is just using the bible and his faith to support a position that benefits him politically and financially. And yes, like so many others, this offends me intellectually. But as a Christian, it straight up pisses me off.

my response to pat robertson

while others like jim wallis do it better, i can’t help but offer my two cents on pat robertson’s latest embarrassment.

last night, i was deeply affected by a wonderful song…

blessed be your name when the sun’s shining down on me
when the world’s all that it should be, blessed be your name

blessed be your name on the road marked with suffering
though there’s pain in the offering, blessed be your name

you give and take away, you give and take away
my heart will choose to say, lord blessed be your name

when my mom passed, i spent years asking how god could allow it to happen. years. i very literally could not sing this song. but i realized, as jim wallis so simply puts it, god suffers with those who are suffering. my family did not struggle with my mom’s terrible disease because we did something wrong, or because of a spiteful god – and neither do the haitians.

pat robertson, and every american bears more responsibility for the destruction in haiti than god. we’ve allowed our neighbors to wallow in the worst kind of poverty without caring. we choose not to look outside our luxury cars and homes. we choose to ignore the poor.

another far-right, conservative leader (rush limbaugh) is claiming we shouldn’t give another dime to haiti. i won’t allow myself to comment on the right’s political hijacking of christians in america (right now at least)… but i will just disagree, and say that these are our neighbors – and we’ve been called to love them.

my heart will choose to say, lord blessed be your name.

Blessed Be Your Name – Matt Re…