ccchhhrrriiisss wrote:
Hi pastorfrin...
This is definitly not a quote; so how can one take something that is a positive statement that is taught throughout the Bible and turn it into a negative? Who does this edify?
Actually, it appears that she was trying to quote it. It isn't a concept that she is relating, but a specific set of words that she seems to try and quote.
But why? What was she trying to say? Let consider her words: "[i]To minister to the needs of God's creation is an act of worship. To ignore those needs is to dishonor the God who made us[/i]."
I certainly agree that we should do our best to not pollute rivers and oceans. We shouldn't be given to litter. We should keep the world as lovely as possible because to do otherwise hides the fact that the "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork" (Psalm 19:1 - a [u]real[/u] verse).
Earth was created for mankind. God gave mankind dominion over the entire Earth and every creature in it. We are, of course, the caretakers of the world that God gave to us. We shouldn't be wasteful or bad stewards. Yet we have every right to use it as we see fit in order to make a living for ourselves and our family. We can use the plants and animals for food and clothing, and consume trees, sand and mud to manufacture our homes. We should be mindful of species and prevent their extinction -- in a similar manner to how God protected them from extinction during the Flood. If we chop down trees, we could easily replace them with seedlings. In a sense, we are simply fulfilling our role as good stewards.
The danger in Ms. Pelosi's remarks, however, comes in the idea of [i]Earth-worship[/i]. There are individuals who promote the value of the Earth ABOVE the value of human beings. They stray from simply warning individuals about good stewardship and venture into chiding mankind for eating meat, "slaughtering" trees, or using resources for our own benefit.
It has always amazed me that some people are far more concerned with saving whales and penguins than the inhumane slaughter of unborn children who feel the pains of their murder. I have read about activists who chained themselves to trees; yet, these same activists mock anti-abortion demonstrators as being "mindless radicals." There is something wrong with this picture.
A few months ago, I read some posts on a message board at an environmental website. The more radical (and applauded) environmentalists went so far as to say that mankind needs to revert back to dwelling in mud homes, use no "fossil" fuels, and reject the use of automobiles or airplanes. Ironically, these comments came from some of the leaders of the movement. The others seemed to feel badly that they still used automobiles.
This is when we cross the plane of common sense. Such environmentalists no longer appreciate their dominion over the Earth -- but desire the Earth to hold dominion over us. This is contrary to the will of God. And those same environmentalists are also the most ardent supporters of abortion. Why? Because a larger population would "rob" the Earth of its "precious" resources. In other words, the respect the creation more than the Creator.
As believers, we should set an example in word and action. We should appreciate the things that God has given us and serve as a good steward of his gifts. If we own a home, we should keep it clean as best we can. If we hunt and kill animals, it should be in the knowledge that it provides food and skin. We should probably do our best to recycle, since we don't want excess cans and trash in our cities and towns. But we shouldn't allow Earth worshippers to dictate the morality of our habits. That role is reserved for God and the conscience that He has given us.
:-)
Lets see, sounds like; that's it, mindless political babel. :-(
