Why can't Christians be green?

Simply put, if someone you loved gave you a gift, would you say dryly "gee thanks" and throw it in the trash? I wouldn't. Neither would I accept this gift from my Father and trash it. Do you think God would take the time to create so much just for us to to smash it to pieces? My life's study is biology, my work is biochemisty. I have an internal call to preserve life, improve the quality of it, and respect the work God has done.

reply to post by saint4God

I attended a Baptist Church (a Baptist Christian) for quite some time and was/am certainly pro-green. Are you saying I'm a liar?

If I wanted to call you a liar I would have said it. You say you attended....why do you no longer attend? Maybe because they are crazy? You are missing the point here. It is about this particular group. And because you are pro-green, as you claim, doesn't mean every one is. As this video points out. So why don't you check yourself and stop putting words in my mouth, computer in this case.
I said duck and running because you say there should be no discussion.
Boy, you sure are very defensive for a saint-4-God.

reply to post by saint4God

I have an internal call to preserve life, improve the quality of it, and respect the work God has done.

Respect the work God has done? Okay, this raises a question. Seeing as how God supposedly created everything on the Earth, don't the bad things fall under his hand as well? Or is that just the Devil's work. How I see it, God supposedly created man, including his brain. So why would an all loving God allow these evil things to become reality? Such as pornography, abortion, war, pollution....anything that Christians deem the devil's work. What is it all a game for Him. Oh let's see how the humans do if I allow them to have aboprtions and have guns, yadda yadda. It just doesn't make sense.
So in conclusion, I am pro-green and by no means religious. Your assumption that I am "throwing away a gift from my Father" is clearly out of whack. And yes, if I didn't like something someone gave me, I would definitely tell them. I do not lie just to make people feel good. Sometimes the truth hurts I guess.

Originally posted by palehorse23

I attended a Baptist Church (a Baptist Christian) for quite some time and was/am certainly pro-green. Are you saying I'm a liar?

If I wanted to call you a liar I would have said it.

There's more than one way to say it. I'd prefer candidly.

Originally posted by palehorse23
You say you attended....why do you no longer attend?

Moved.

Originally posted by palehorse23
Maybe because they are crazy?

Maybe not.

Originally posted by palehorse23
You are missing the point here. It is about this particular group. And because you are pro-green, as you claim, doesn't mean every one is.

Ah, but your title says, "Why can't Christians be green?" not "why does this particular spokesperson of Baptists not believe in being green?"

Originally posted by palehorse23
As this video points out. So why don't you check yourself and stop putting words in my mouth,

If I could put words into your mouth, then the words you have said would not be coming out.

Originally posted by palehorse23
I said duck and running because you say there should be no discussion.

Because your topic is factually wrong and we're here to deny ignorance.

Originally posted by palehorse23
Boy, you sure are very defensive for a saint-4-God.

No need to be, just as there's no need to discuss.

Originally posted by palehorse23
Respect the work God has done?

Yes. This is what I said.

Originally posted by palehorse23
Okay, this raises a question. Seeing as how God supposedly created everything on the Earth, don't the bad things fall under his hand as well? Or is that just the Devil's work. How I see it, God supposedly created man, including his brain. So why would an all loving God allow these evil things to become reality?

A very good question. It seems they are a tool for teaching. Albeit a harsh ones, we are a cynical people.

Originally posted by palehorse23
Such as pornography, abortion, war, pollution....anything that Christians deem the devil's work.

Last I'd check, "the devil's work" is cooperative. We encourage them to happen. He provides the tools. Seek and you'll find and all that.

Originally posted by palehorse23
What is it all a game for Him. Oh let's see how the humans do if I allow them to have aboprtions and have guns, yadda yadda. It just doesn't make sense.

Games are pointless. God isn't pointless. Again, God does not generate waste (which leads back to the topic).

Originally posted by palehorse23
So in conclusion, I am pro-green and by no means religious.

Congrats? No one said you had to be religious to be pro-green.

Originally posted by palehorse23
Your assumption that I am "throwing away a gift from my Father" is clearly out of whack.

I have not made this assumption.

Originally posted by palehorse23
And yes, if I didn't like something someone gave me, I would definitely tell them. I do not lie just to make people feel good. Sometimes the truth hurts I guess.

I did not say lie to make them feel good. I was referring to seeing PAST the gift to the giver, being grateful and accepting that they gave a piece of their heart to you in the form of a present. This requires a bit of selflessness and appreciation for others to comprehend.

[edit on 19-3-2008 by saint4God]

reply to post by saint4God

Ah, but your title says, "Why can't Christians be green?" not "why does this particular spokesperson of Baptists not believe in being green?"

As I stated before, I do not have the time nor the energy to discern what faith all you people are. Christians are Christians. People should be ashamed of themselves for not having the same set of rules. There is no need for all of these different sects. Either you believe in the same teachings or you don't. god didn't say, here are a bunch of rules, you decide which goes with which.
My topic is not unfactual. It is about a video clip. I didn't claim to be a non-green christian. This guy did. The only question I ask is why can't they be green and how do you tie the abortion/homosexual issue into environmentalism. Which by the way you have yet to offer an opinion on. All you see as that all Chrisitans believe this because a non-believer hears a video clip. And I'm sorry, but when you represent a particular faith and you speak out, you become a spokesperson of that faith. Same goes for a political party. Maybe you should call the guy and tell him to not claim that all Baptists believe that way. To me this is just another dumbass guy who didn't think before he spoke.
Oh yeah, just because you moved doesn't mean you have to stop going to a Baptist church. I am sure there are others where you moved to.

Originally posted by palehorse23
As I stated before, I do not have the time nor the energy to discern what faith all you people are.

I appreciate the admission to laziness, however if you have the time and energy to rant about it, it may be best to have your facts together first before making a blind claim that Christians can't be green.

[edit on 19-3-2008 by saint4God]

I live among the southern baptist battalions here in the south, I think that the percentage of people that doesn't believe in been green is no many at least were I live at.

People here does care about the environment and they do every thing they can to help, recycling is a big thing in my area with many set up recycling stations.

So yes is many in the extremist fundamentalist point of view that believe that life is just a passing state until salvation, but trust me the vast majority goes around their daily lives as every body else.

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (I John 2:15)

It is clear by way of the patriarchs, especially, Abraham, as Christians, we are sojourners, strangers and pilgrims on earth, seeking a better country, that is heavenly and a city prepared for us by God. This should be the mind set of a believer.

As for this present world, which the Christian is passing through, does it mean that they are to have no care for it? If you understand the corruption of the world, that part of it is not desirable. As for becoming green , I think there needs to be some discernment put in place here, at least by the Christian.

As I see it, men are coming to grips with something they have created and are now attempting to reverse it, as it were, show more respect for the earth and its creatures, by way of implementing an idea in the mind of everyone in regard to this plan of reversal and revival.

As for the discernment I mentioned in regard to this, what I see rising up, at least within the mind of these who have created this concept of being green, by the time the course is finished and everyone is walking the fine line of green law, what you will see, in effect, are people, by way of regard an action, serving the creation more than the Creator. Satan is always looking for devices to bind men and distract them from the true source of the problem.

In conclusion, strictly from a personal viewpoint regarding this becoming “green,” as has been the case in the past with me, where collective minds gather and the mass heads, for me, that is not the direction to take.

reply to post by saint4God


It is pointless to try and make you see my side of things I guess. Religion is a waste of time. You do not need it to follow a particular way of life. If you want to claim you are a holy rolling Christian, Catholic, Muslim, Scientologist, Protestant, Evangelical, Baptist, Born Again, Jehova's Witness or one of the many other religions, you go right ahead. I choose to not make time for that nonsense. It isn't a matter of laziness my friend, it is a matter of not buying into all the BS that is fed by each and every one of these "Faith based", money hungry cults.
Philosophy is the way to go for me. Sorry you didn't convert me.
When you cannot even acknowledge someone elses POV as being valid, I feel sorry fopr you.
And again, I am making a claim based on a video of a CHRISTIAN stating his beliefs. The facts are in the video. He is a spokesperson for Christians is he not?
Chrisitan is a vague term so why should I have to be specific with it?

reply to post by palehorse23

When any faith leader, whether it be the pope, a baptist spokesman, an Amish leader, claims to 'have the answer', I have a real hard time believing anything that comes out of their mouth.

Leaders of various faiths try to be good shepherds for their flock, If you chose not to hear their word, that is your right. I think you are wrong denigrating people for following their faith. I personally believe that people that are trying to follow their faith, and treat their families, friends and fellow mankind, are following God's word. Taking what one person of a given religion says, and applying it to everyone of that faith, doesn't advance any meaningful discussion.
You say that you believe in philosophy. Here's Websters' definition:

the most basic beliefs, concepts, and attitudes of an individual or group b: calmness of temper and judgment befitting a philosopher
or
pursuit of wisdom b: a search for a general understanding of values and reality by chiefly speculative rather than observational means c: an analysis of the grounds of and concepts expressing fundamental beliefs

www.merriam-webster.com...
That sounds to me an awful lot like religion.

Well the question perhaps wasn't posed properly because you can't lump all Christians into the "don't want to be green" category. There are wackos in every institution as we all know. But you won't convince me this is the collective Christian way of thinking, nor the Southern Baptist collective way of thinking. It may be this particular pastor's way of thinking, who is responsible for leading a flock - so it is disturbing, but not the norm.

This is just another general categorization of Christians, who as we all know have many branches of belief. There are also many branches of democrats, republicans, independents, evolutionists, creationists, atheists, agnostics, anarchists...you get my drift.

Perhaps a better question would be "what institutions or groups of people collectively don't believe in being green?" Probably none, because everyone looks at it a different way. I'm a Christian and I happen to be green.

But just to throw in a little humor - Which muppet sang, "it ain't easy being green". OKay, off topic, carry on.

reply to post by ProfEmeritus


I am done trying to explain myself. But one last thing that does bother me is that these people as you said, are trying to lead there flock. when you choose to follow a leader such as this, there is a problem IMO. It is just like the recent news of Obama's preacher. I feel that is ultimately going to lead to his demise. But, what the hell do I know, I don't believe in religion anyway. You guys seem to have all the answers. Why has no one really commented on the link between environmentalism and abortion/homosexuality? You guys sure seem to be avoiding that aspect of this guys statements. I wonder why that is. Good night all. Getting late and tired of saying the same thing over and over. Sorry, take that for what you will.

Obviously, Mr Perkins has not read very far into his bible since he has not yet reached chapter two verse 15 of the first book!

Gen 2:15 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.

Just because Christians are supposed to be in the world and not of the world, does not mean that we are not given certain responsibilities to the world. It's the same way with your body, even though we should not mind moving on to the next world, we are still to care for, and not abuse our body in this life:

1Co 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

The Earth is not ours, though we have been given the right to subdue the planet, we are still to care for it as it belongs to God. This only becomes an issue if you make being green into a form of religion much like the druids did.

Originally posted by palehorse23
Okay, this raises a question. Seeing as how God supposedly created everything on the Earth, don't the bad things fall under his hand as well? Or is that just the Devil's work. How I see it, God supposedly created man, including his brain. So why would an all loving God allow these evil things to become reality?

When God created the Earth it was perfect, and we existed in a perfect sinless state of grace. That was how things were intended to be, but man bunked that all up for himself. Because of mans mistake evil entered his existence, as did sin, pain, and death. The prefect world that God had created for us became altered into the world we now live in. Everything else since then has been a result of our own original disobedience, not because God made it. Sin and evil exist simply because God exists, anything that falls short of the perfection of God, and does not fall under his grace, is inherently sinful and disobedient.



[edit on 3/19/2008 by defcon5]

reply to post by palehorse23

Why has no one really commented on the link between environmentalism and abortion/homosexuality?

Here, I'll comment on it. I don't agree with his statement. The point is, it's one persons' opinion.
However, in trying to make your point, you made many statements that I felt needed to be addressed. The most contentious, in my opinion, was your teaser heading "Why can't Christians be green?" You take one person from one sect of one religion, and extend that to all Christians.

Really I think the whole thing is taken out of context to bash the Southern Baptists. The story was really about a S. Baptist seminary student who was calling for change and the leaders agreed and signed up. Remember he's up against a lot of old men who just don't like Al Gore. But hey they agreed to his proposal. That seems like they are going green or at least greener. So take a story about a positive change and twist to negative - what ever.

Originally posted by palehorse23
Sorry you didn't convert me.

I wasn't trying to. It would be foolish to try. No person can convert another.

Originally posted by Nohup

Originally posted by palehorse23
The question being asked in this thread is, how come these Christians can't be pro-environment?

Jesus specifically preached that this world was not the one they should be concerned with, but rather then next one. The only thing you should be doing in this life is getting yourself ready for to meet your Maker. Throwing an empty Coke can out of your car window is not a sin, especially if you're driving to church at the time.

Most "Christians" live an essentially secular life, who pay the New Testament lip service, who pick and choose the easiest route and decide what they want to follow and what they don't, who are the warm water Christ will spew from his mouth. They might be interested in the environment to make it look nicer or whatever. But they're not real Christians, anyway.

Earth worship is pagan worship.

[edit on 18-3-2008 by Nohup]

sermon on the mount.... the meek shall inherit the earth.

that doesnt sound like this life is inconcequencial to me.

yes earth worship is pagan but having respect for god´s things is christian.

Originally posted by palehorse23
Why has no one really commented on the link between environmentalism and abortion/homosexuality? You guys sure seem to be avoiding that aspect of this guys statements. I wonder why that is.

if you had mentioned a scripture or something that says that is how god feels? maybe i would concern myself with it.

it appears to me to be some backwater fanatic opinion. wholly unsupported by scripture

Originally posted by palehorse23
He is a spokesperson for Christians is he not?

no, no he´s not