Democracy Gone Astray

Democracy, being a human construct, needs to be thought of as directionality rather than an object. As such, to understand it requires not so much a description of existing structures and/or other related phenomena but a declaration of intentionality.
This blog aims at creating labeled lists of published infringements of such intentionality, of points in time where democracy strays from its intended directionality. In addition to outright infringements, this blog also collects important contemporary information and/or discussions that impact our socio-political landscape.

All the posts here were published in the electronic media – main-stream as well as fringe, and maintain links to the original texts.

[NOTE: Due to changes I haven't caught on time in the blogging software, all of the 'Original Article' links were nullified between September 11, 2012 and December 11, 2012. My apologies.]

Friday, March 22, 2013

Calvin Beisner, Evangelical Christian, Claims Environmentalism Great Threat To Civilization

A representative for an evangelical group that doesn't believe in man-made climate change has suggested that the modern environmental movement is harming civilization.

Speaking on the Janet Mefferd Show on March 18, Dr. Calvin Beisner of the Cornwall Alliance laid out four reasons why environmentalism is "the greatest threat to Western civilization."

Environmentalism is insidious, Beisnser explained, and it dangerously "speaks to the inherent spiritual yearnings of human souls and it provides plausible answers to dogged questions." It also incorporates the similarly dangerous threats of utopian Marxism, the secular humanism and the "religious fanaticism of jihad."

Lastly, "environmentalism encompasses all the vague spiritualities that have frankly overwhelmed secular humanism in the West and now threaten the Christian faith."

The Cornwall Alliance is made up of activists that are "committed to bringing a balanced Biblical view of stewardship to the critical issues of environment and development." According to the group's website, members believe "Recent global warming is one of many natural cycles of warming and cooling in geologic history."

While the majority of climate researchers believe climate change is caused by human activity, a 2011 poll found that Tea Party members and white evangelicals, such as Beisner, were statistically less likely to believe in evolution and climate change than most Americans.

Beisner is a popular guest on conservative evangelical shows that promote an anti-climate change agenda.

In November, he told the hosts of the American Family Association "Today's Issues" program that humans could not possibly be causing the "catastrophic consequences for the climate" warned by global warming scientists.

"That doesn't fit well with the biblical teaching that the earth is the result of the omniscient design, the omnipotent creation and the faithful sustaining of the God of the Bible. So it really is an insult to God," Beisner said.

The professor, who has a doctorate in Scottish history, was also featured in Bill Moyers' 2006 documentary "Is God Green?"

During interviews for the special, Beisner said that Genesis dictates humans should "Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it." This disproves the opinion of the "anti-population growth" activists, according to Beisner, who adds that pollution is a natural byproduct of reality.

It should be noted that not all evangelical Christians oppose global warming reforms. Groups like the Young Evangelicals for Climate Action take the stance that it is a Christian's duty to protect the planet.


Original Article
Source: huffingtonpost.com
Author: Meredith Bennett-Smith

No comments:

Post a Comment