On June 9th, the
World Council of Churches issued a Pentecost
message that reads as follows: “To prophesy is to tell the truth”. Religious leaders have declared a
climate emergencies and others are engaged in acts
meant to raise awareness.
Barbara Glasson, President of the
Methodist Conference, walked 133 miles to raise funds for communities across
the world affected by climate change. “As a Church we believe in the possibility of transformation. Our church has heard the voice of communities around the world that are already suffering severe consequences of climate change.” Barbara said. “Our response must be both
individual and corporate to do all we can to tread more lightly on the earth.”
Methodist Conference, walked 133 miles to raise funds for communities across
the world affected by climate change. “As a Church we believe in the possibility of transformation. Our church has heard the voice of communities around the world that are already suffering severe consequences of climate change.” Barbara said. “Our response must be both
individual and corporate to do all we can to tread more lightly on the earth.”
We also have a model of faith in action from the former Anglican Bishop of Quebec. As covered in the Anglican
Journal, Dennis Drainville, the retired Bishop of Quebec announced that he is running for the Green Party of Canada in the forthcoming federal election. Dennis hopes to become the representative for the riding of
Gaspésie-Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine. Many of us remember that Dennis was a
candidate in the episcopal election in the Diocese of Montreal in 2015.
Journal, Dennis Drainville, the retired Bishop of Quebec announced that he is running for the Green Party of Canada in the forthcoming federal election. Dennis hopes to become the representative for the riding of
Gaspésie-Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine. Many of us remember that Dennis was a
candidate in the episcopal election in the Diocese of Montreal in 2015.
Denis describes his return to politics (he served under Bob Rae’s NDP government in Ontario 1990-93)as being spurred by the realization that the October 21st vote, will be
“an election like no other,” because Canadians will have to decide how to deal with both climate change and unethical
government. In addition to the two issues mentioned above Dennis wants to
address the political over-representation of the one percent.
“an election like no other,” because Canadians will have to decide how to deal with both climate change and unethical
government. In addition to the two issues mentioned above Dennis wants to
address the political over-representation of the one percent.
“Governments today are becoming dangerous” Denis said. “We should be electing leaders who care about the
common good. They say they do, of course. The rhetoric is all there, but in
fact when you see what they do and how they do it, they are not supporting the
needs and aspirations of all Canadians. They have their own political and
economic agenda and they pursue it, at times even ruthlessly.”
common good. They say they do, of course. The rhetoric is all there, but in
fact when you see what they do and how they do it, they are not supporting the
needs and aspirations of all Canadians. They have their own political and
economic agenda and they pursue it, at times even ruthlessly.”
Faith groups have extraordinary reach as 84 percent of the global population identifies with a religious group. However, faith leaders have their work cut out for them as powerful political forces are actively, and effectively denying
reality.
reality.
“I don’t believe it,” American President Donald Trump said when asked a question about the federal government’s latest report reiterating the veracity of climate change. It’s “not based on facts,” former press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders erroneously stated.
This brings us back
to the Pentecost message: “To prophesy is to tell the truth”. We must tell the truth because the lie of climate denial imperils life on Earth and deprives future generations of their right to be born on a livable planet. Theologian Stanley Hauerwas challenges the church to be a counterpoint to mendacity. In a ‘post-truth’ world, Stanley, said “perhaps the Church can become known as the community that tells the truth.”
to the Pentecost message: “To prophesy is to tell the truth”. We must tell the truth because the lie of climate denial imperils life on Earth and deprives future generations of their right to be born on a livable planet. Theologian Stanley Hauerwas challenges the church to be a counterpoint to mendacity. In a ‘post-truth’ world, Stanley, said “perhaps the Church can become known as the community that tells the truth.”
As reviewed
in a Religious
News article titled, “A Religious Opening for Climate Change”
this type of denial is “a species of faith—the non-evidence of things
seen, as the author of Hebrews might have said. The GOP has made it a doctrine,
and the party faithful have increasingly embraced it…At the same time, the
Democrats’ contrary faith in the evidence of things seen has gotten
stronger.”
Although views on the climate crisis are commonly divided along party lines this is not about
partisan politics, it is about accepting reality. It is important to note that being
a conservative does
not necessarily preclude environmental action.
partisan politics, it is about accepting reality. It is important to note that being
a conservative does
not necessarily preclude environmental action.
The question that faith communities must ask is whether they are doing their part to help people
address the reality of the climate
crisis? They must simultaneously consider the possibility that by not openly acknowledging
the facts and actively supporting action they may be contributing to the crisis.
address the reality of the climate
crisis? They must simultaneously consider the possibility that by not openly acknowledging
the facts and actively supporting action they may be contributing to the crisis.
Many have argued that our faith demands that we act to prevent a global calamity. A total of 150
Australian religious leaders including Anglicans sent an open letter to Prime
Minister Scott Morrison calling him to show moral leadership on the issue of
climate change “for the sake of generations to come”.
Australian religious leaders including Anglicans sent an open letter to Prime
Minister Scott Morrison calling him to show moral leadership on the issue of
climate change “for the sake of generations to come”.
Federation of
Australian Buddhist Councils Spokesperson Gawaine Powell Davies said climate
change is driven by “human foolishness”. “We have a very sharp
analysis of human foolishness which has led us to put greed and short-term benefit
ahead of the long-term interests of ourselves and our children, and our
grandchildren,” Gawain said.
Australian Buddhist Councils Spokesperson Gawaine Powell Davies said climate
change is driven by “human foolishness”. “We have a very sharp
analysis of human foolishness which has led us to put greed and short-term benefit
ahead of the long-term interests of ourselves and our children, and our
grandchildren,” Gawain said.
The UN
points out that when it comes to the environment there is widespread agreement
between science and religion. Secular
society and the diverse array of faith communities share a common interest in
environmental stewardship.
As explored in a Star
article, in a world rife with divisions climate action can be something that
brings us together.
article, in a world rife with divisions climate action can be something that
brings us together.
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