In the Judeo-Christian creation story, God made the Earth and then man and woman. He charged them with taking care of their slice of paradise.
When they didn't, the punishment was backbreaking work for man and childbirth for woman.
Today, some religious leaders warn the punishments for not taking care of Earth could include melting polar ice caps and, possibly, extinction.
Others say religion shouldn't mix with science. Citizen Link Magazine, published by the evangelical group Focus on the Family, carried stories this month criticizing Christian leaders who believe global warming is occurring. The magazine specifically took aim at a Stafford County resident and National Association of Evangelicals leader, the Rev. Richard Cizik, for raising the issue of the environment to the level of traditional evangelical issues, such as abortion and protection of the family.
Taking care of the environment is a biblical mandate, Cizik said. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible commands people "to love, care and protect," he said. "That's our duty. Just because preachers haven't preached it, doesn't mean it isn't there."
For most local religious leaders, environmentalism is neither that global nor that controversial.
"This is in the Scriptures," said the Rev. Cuthbert Mandell of Aquia Episcopal Church in North Stafford. "God said all creation was good and he put us in charge of it We're supposed to protect it and enhance it."
The Rev. Carolyn Carter of Unity Church of Fredericksburg said focusing on something as temporal as the environment is a concept spreading among some congregations.
"Churches haven't been aware they have a role," she said. "I think we've seen it as a government problem, not a spiritual problem."
About 10 years ago, many religious groups started tackling the environment, said Jerry Lawson, national manager for ENERGY STAR congregations.
"I think the floodgate is open on caring for creation. There is no turning back," said Lawson, who lives in Spotsylvania County and also volunteers with Virginia Interfaith Power and Light, an ecumenical environmental group. "You can expect to continue to see the evangelicals and the Jews and the Bahai and everyone else talking about the environment in the coming years."
Going green doesn't just protect the Earth; it serves congregations, too, Lawson said.
"It helps their bottom line so they have more money for that international mission," he said. "No one benefits when you waste money on energy."
The desire is there, but most local congregations admitted they're not doing anything earth-shattering.
But they are starting to act, and that's what's important, Lawson said.
Even something simple like using coffee mugs instead of Styrofoam cups helps, he said.
"Just the act of sharing coffee could have environmental significance if people are thinking about it."
Have members stay after to wash the dishes to minimize the temptation to use disposable goods.
Electricity
Install occupancy sensors that turn off the lights when no one is in the room.
Install brighter, safer exit signs.
Use fans.
Buy ENERGY STAR equipment when replacing computers, printers, copiers, refrigerators, windows, thermostats and other equipment.
Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps.
Church bulletins
Print the bulletins and newsletters on both sides of a sheet of paper.
Only print as many copies as the congregation needs.
Scrap the paper altogether and put the bulletin online: on a Web page or sent out via e-mail.
Recycle the bulletins.
How much congregations would save nationally if each of America's more than 300,000 houses of worship would cut energy use by 10 percent.
Christians polled in 2005 who believe their Christian faith encourages them to support environmental issues.
Number of times the Earth is mentioned in the Bible.
GOING GREEN is an occasional series on area efforts to save energy and the environment.
Should churches protect the environment? How does your faith influence your views on caring for the environment? Tell us on our religion blog at fredericks burg.com/blogs or e-mail religion reporter Amy Umble at aumble@freelance star.com.
Great Story(posted by
patrick4hp
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
As a Christian, I am very concerned about being a good steward of the Earth God gave us. My new car is very small so it gets great gas mileage and pollutes less. The only problem I find is that some people believe Republican politics is the politics of God, which is total horse manure. Problem is when Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson and others taught people that liberals are evil. Shame on them. The days when smokestacks meant economic progress are over.
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