TreeHugger.com: Falwell to Arms: Christians Being Duped by Global Warming?
K.
· 2 years ago
To be fair, there IS a scriptural basis for Falwell's claims. However, many other Christians don't find these scriptures to be inconsistent with the realities of human-facilitated climate change.
Uncle Bob
· 2 years ago
*mental note:
"retarded religious fanatics + too much money + too many nukes" == "teh shit"
Randy
· 2 years ago
Just so everyone knows, there are lots of us in Lynchburg who actually hate Jerry. Okay, hate is such a strong word, how about "vehemently oppose his narrow-minded, high fat, high cholesterol driven, ego-centric, money grubbing psycho babble." Thanks, I feel better already.
Anonymous
· 2 years ago
"To be fair, there IS a scriptural basis for Falwell's claims."
And those saying the opposite of what Falwell is saying also have scriptural basis. That's the problem..
Kickert
· 2 years ago
Wow... that is all I can say... Wow. So I just wrote a 2 page comment to this post, but decided to delete it in favor of mom's advice: "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all!"
alex
· 2 years ago
I wonder if Falwell has vested interests elsewhere. I also find it strange that that bipartisanship is at the evangelical level.
This guy does fit the image of the fat, egocentric, maniacle, money grubbing fanatic that is so common with big oil and big business.
blogengeezer
· 2 years ago
The latest News is filled with all of the Politicians getting on "The Green Bandwagon'"and forcing rapid change in the opposite direction. The New congress promised that for the Nation.
Yesterday the Wall Street Journal made a very small mention to the fact that 'issues' are trading faster and faster, 7 months avg holding time. Unequaled since 1929, check out that date in HIstory
27Feb07 morning news, Stock Market falls 140 points. "Hang on Sloopy, Sloopy Hang On"
rob
· 2 years ago
In re: WSJ
I think this new Treehugging idea regime will have staying power because it has economic appeal that people can see every day, even overworked young parents, who tend to be cynical about ideas that come from people with extra time on their hands.
Issues like the deficit and global warming are abstract to people, but technology cut your outrageous utility bill and cost at the pump, well that catches on.
The moral dimension, which uses empowerment, provides mental grounding. Fallwell's moral regime uses power and guilt.
(I met someone from Lynchburg who told me Liberty actually is a big party school. Parents send troublemaking kids there to straighten out, and all they do is meet other hard cases and swap ideas.)
Sarah
· 2 years ago
I believe that this guy is both right and wrong. We are defintly not getting duped because Global Warming is a real problem, but he is very right in saying that "God will maintain the Earth until Christ's second coming." I believe the second coming and Global Warming go hand in hand. It may be sooner than we think!!. With that said wouldn't you like to have a happier cleaner earth for what ever time we have left here??? It might even make the Big Man upstairs happy to see that we are trying to fix the damage we have done to his Earth!
Read this if you don't believe that the end may be very near and that global warming may be a big part of it....
This is rich! Even the Bible teaches that we are the stewards of the Earth. What we do to the Earth only hurts us. And I'm neither a treehugger nor an an environmentalist.
rob
· 2 years ago
Environmentalism about a lot more than a nice, clean world. It's about a world with less extreme poverty and desperation.
Fallwell is totally wrong. His entire intention is to polarize humanity and foment violence. He is as far from Christian values as a person can get. The fact that he proclaims himself to be religous only makes it worse.
Anonymous
· 2 years ago
Ok, so maybe there is scripture saying God will take care of the earth for us, but there is also scripture that talks about how you body is a temple for the lord and you should mistreat it. I've heard that scripture tied into why you should look after your own health and what not. I understand having faith that God will keep everything running good for us, but what is the harm of sorting your trash and recycling? Or buying a CFL bulb? Its not like people are going to be busy doing theses things that they won't be going to church.
OtherDoug
· 2 years ago
Falwell will fight any effort that gives Evangelical Christians common cause with any but the extreme rightwing in the US. This is simply the use of scripture and the sincere faith of believers for politics.
In the past I've heard some claim that the translation of Genesis that gives man "dominion" over the earth is justification for any destructive practice they desire. Now we've got Falwell saying that environmentalism is the work of Satan. It's all just effort to protect their own interests, whether political or financial.
kevin
· 2 years ago
I think that from the christian point of view, that any destruction of God's creation (a.k.a., murder, pollution, etc.) could and should be considered sinning. In this case, global warming makes sense because the wages of sin is death not only for man, but for man's environment. Why do they not see the earth as God's creation that is to be cherished?
Anonymous
· 2 years ago
If Falwell met Jesus without knowing that it was him, he'd probably call him a dirty hippy peacenik and call security. Falwell has nothing in common with Jesus..
Anonymous
· 2 years ago
falwell is an ideologue politician using religion as a front. That way he doesn't need to be elected, and he can tell people what to do without being accountable.
Green SAHM
· 2 years ago
Why does this moron scare me so? Maybe it's the sheer ignorance of it all. Does this statement mean that his followers must do all they can to harm the Earth to keep out from Satan's influence?
JS
· 2 years ago
i agree with whoever above that said there's no scriptural position for falwell's position. if anything, it's the opposite. there's much written about our dominion and stewardship over nature. that's of course debatable, but there's nothing i know of that reads as "God will protect the natural world from human destruction until Jesus Himself comes to end the world."
this guy's just nuts or he knows full well where to find his next (million) dollar(s).
Jamie
· 2 years ago
I agree with OtherDoug, ANY destruction of God's creation is a sin. I also agree with a lot of you guys that Falwell has said some very inconsistent things and is not portraying an accurate relfection of Jesus to the world. However, I do not hold that name calling is a very Christ-like way of proving our points either. We need to be praying for all the Falwell's out there that God would change their opinions.
rob
· 2 years ago
I had a little hope for Falwell when, sometime in the lat '90s, he had an outreach seminar to gays and lesbians. It didn't pan out, regrettably.
Hate the sin, love the sinner.
Of course, environmentalists are very into using shame too! It's a powerful weapon and easy to use, but rarely productive. I congratulate all the good people at Treehugger and Worldchanging for encouraging creativity and supporting the urge to share.
When the nuts come at you with idiocy, reason and love of life are the only defense.
Anonymous
· 2 years ago
I'm no admirer of Jerry Falwell, but this article seems pretty dishonest. No matter what you may think of Falwell -- who really doesn't exert any substantial influence -- the linked news story at no point quotes Falwell as saying he "hates dirty hippies".
In fact, the author, Jasmin Malik Chua, blatantly puts words in Falwell's mouth and basically makes shit up.
Her spluttering, inarticulate hatred of Falwell is plain for all to see. But, let's face it, Falwell is a pretty slow-moving target, and what is really accomplished by this kind of rage-fuelled nonsense by the author?
What Falwell actually says, according to the news story is:
"Falwell said the Bible teaches that God will maintain the Earth until Jesus returns, so Christians should be responsible environmentalists, but not what he calls ... quote ... "first-class nuts.""
Agree with that position or not, it seems the author of this Treehugger article is the type of person to which Falwell is referring. Essentially, she has unwittingly given credibility to Falwell's argument.
jessilikewhoa
· 2 years ago
anonymous @ 8:16pm, after reading your comment, i figured i should see for myself, so i checked out the link to the article and read it for myself, and besides a bit of snarky irritation at falwell's irrational statements, this treehugger post is almost verbatim what was quoted in the interview.
so he didnt call al gore a dirty hippie, thats not really the point. plus, it really most likely is what he was thinking, mean spirited little hatemonger.
rob
· 2 years ago
Dear Anonymous,
Your feigned ignorance about the culture and practice of blog postings is not fooling anyone. Everyone reading this blog (including you) is fully aware that the author was using sarcasm to prove a point.
Here's a Falwell quote to chew on.
Falwell said that America had lost its divine "veil of protection" because of liberalism, at that allowed the September 11 attacks to occur.
Such a quote is:
A. sacriligeous
B. insulting to the victims of 9/11
C. insulting to America
...and that quote CAN be verified.
Anonymous
· 2 years ago
Elaine,
"almost verbatim" = fake but accurate?
"so he didnt call al gore a dirty hippie, thats not really the point."
Um, actually, it is the point.
"plus, it really most likely is what he was thinking"
I see. You're telephathic and you can read Jerry Falwell's mind. So, in other words, as far as you're concerned, what Falwell actually said is "not the point" -- but what you imagine he was "probably thinking" should take precedence.
Thanks for straightening that out.
Anonymous
· 2 years ago
Rob,
"Your feigned ignorance about the culture and practice of blog postings is not fooling anyone. "
I wasn't aware that I was trying to "fool" anyone. But, somehow, you've seen through my crafty ruse.
"Everyone reading this blog (including you) is fully aware that the author was using sarcasm to prove a point."
Actually I wasn't aware of that. I just thought the author was making up shit. Thanks for explaining.
"Here's a Falwell quote to chew on."
Who cares? Evidently, he's *your* bogey-man, not mine.
Tom
· 2 years ago
I just sent a note to the Jerry Falwell web site protesting their sick take on things. Here is the link if you want to file a protest.
The trouble with the bible is that it was written by many different people, and has morphed as each translator and minister adds his (or her) own politics into the message of God. One has to admit that a lot of the things in it just don't make sense from a modern perspective, especially with 2 or more stories contradicting each other.
Falwell is just reading what he wants to out of the bible, and ignoring the other parts. I would love to see him and the Anglican bishop featured a few days ago (who has given up flying) in a theological debate. They could probably have opposite yet not unfounded points and counterpoints.
I personally also think that were Jesus to meet him, he would be considered by Falwell to be a "first class nut". I would consider the Reverend to be a "First class nut" as well.
Progressive Penguin
· 2 years ago
Anonymous said:
"Essentially, she has unwittingly given credibility to Falwell's argument."
Well, that's just it. There is no way that credibility can be given, wittingly or not, to Falwell's argument. Satan using Global Warming to distract the pious? Can anyone say "South Park Episode"?
rob
· 2 years ago
Environmental types of all stripes are at a crucial point in history right now. Since people are actually LISTENING to us for the first time in 25 years, we have an opportunity to refute the misinformation that has been disseminated about us in the mass media, unrebutted, since the '80s.
There is a danger of overreaching, and settling old scores just for the heck of it. That's unadvisable. Environmentalism isn't partisan (witness the awakening of the great Governator, and the history of Republican environmentalists going back to the bully TR), and it doesn't provide absolute answers to spritual questions (because everyone here agrees it ain't a religion.)
However, now is the time we can bring up for the public's consideration the environmental abuses of James Watt, and the sham assertions that Bush Senior (the smart one) was an Environmental President, and we can debunk the smokescreen carefully managed by the warming deniers, and basically put the last generation of anti-environmentalism into perspective for the voters.
Now is the time to restore equipoise to the enivironmental conversation, for the benefit of all of us, including the undecided and the timid. And we can't do it by insult attacks (of which I admit I am guilty), and we can't let Rev. Jerry draw us into a battle on ground of his choosing.
Joe
· 2 years ago
And this is why religion MUST be stopped. Fanatic fundamentalists like brainwash people that believe in something akin to the toothfairy that we shouldn't be trying to correct our environment.
Marko Kettunen
· 2 years ago
Ah, Americans... Always making me laugh.
devolute
· 2 years ago
The concept of Stewardship is a liberal lie!
thom
· 2 years ago
here's a link to some research on global warming i wanted to share.
al gore is hypocrit ... yes, sure he's done a good job awareness wise, but as shown in today's headlines, his personal carbon footprint from his home is 20 times that of the average american ... a heated swimming pool ... gas laterns ... etc
'do as i say, not as i do'
shameful
now that is an inconvenient truth
and all those show-biz save the planet bangers planning to stand on stage at 'live earth' in july ... be warned ... the best thing you could do is stay at home and figure out how to reduce your footprints ... you're more accountable for those dying in africa from climate change than most!
Jim
· 2 years ago
"To be fair, there IS a scriptural basis for Falwell's claims. However, many other Christians don't find these scriptures to be inconsistent with the realities of human-facilitated climate change."
If it's fair you want to be, then keep your scriptures about your god out of the discussion of what's best for *our* Earth. Your religion doubtless has many interesting things to say about stewardship, and going forth and having dominion over the creatures of the Earth, but guess what? Many of us do not believe in your god nor subscribe to the tenets of your scriptures.
I wonder if one day we might all be able to agree that religion has *no* place in a scientific discussion?
David
· 2 years ago
Hey, why not accept the internet as your bible? Then you'll have scripture to back up Goatse.
rob
· 2 years ago
Funny old world. All the liberals and environmentalists are posting articles tolerant of religion, and the anti-religious screed are all trojan horse postings from conervative activists trying to stir up trouble.
Trouble ain't gonna be stirred up here. We're all treehuggers, remember!
Remember the shiny thing on Star Trek that fed on conflict between others? Kirk and the Klingon sent it packing!
DAVE
· 2 years ago
And then we wonder why some of us atheists are getting angry...
The stupid factory is open 24/7, that's why
Logan
· 2 years ago
"God will maintain the Earth until Christ's second coming"
Hmm. Let's all ignore our god given free-will and our potential to possibly ruin the Earth. That way we can all sit back with the Christians and let global warming gradually get worse. Then when everything is past the point of fixing, we can all look back and realize that Christians truly caused Hell on Earth.
Anonymous
· 2 years ago
I'm an atheist, but in defense of christians, lets not confuse them as a group with Falwell and his followers. Not all christians believe that crap.
na
· 2 years ago
Perhaps everyone should do some scriptural research and see when this "second coming" already happened. . .Also, do your own research in general and quit taking these nutbag clergymen at their word. It's still your own responsibility.
AndiB
· 2 years ago
According to the book of Genesis, God created the world in six days. And he said of his creation, that "It is good". Destruction of God's beautiful handiwork due to stupidity, lazyness, arrogance, convenience and greed goes direcly against God. If you are unable to see this, then you are not qualified to represent God.
fromBrazil
· 2 years ago
It's clear that this guy will be the next president.
George
· 2 years ago
Wow - talk about a comment that has been totally misunderstood. Falwell (who I neither support nor watch) - is referring to the main purpose of the church - evangelism, and the dangers of making anything (even the environment) the "primary focus" of the church. He's talking evangelical theology - not current affairs.
Perhaps he is ignorant concerning the environment and global warming - but dare I say that perhaps this flaming post was added by someone who is equally as ignorant about evangelical theology? Yup. I dare say that - cause it's true.
He is not saying those who believe in global warming are "satanic" - he's saying that anything that takes the church away from evangelism is satanic - because he believes many "evangelicals" are riding the wave of the latest "the church can be cool, too" fad (global warming).
mesomorph
· 2 years ago
Falwell should concentrate more on the seven deadly sins, gluttony in particular. He is so bloated it appears he will explode!
Anonymous
· 2 years ago
George, I don't buy that. The church is constantly doing other stuff than evangelism; social causes, poverty, health, education, POLITICS, etc. I don't think that suddenly caring about global warming - something that will affect all Christians, even if they have their heads burried in the sand - is over-stepping some line.
Falwell is just trying to pass his personal ideology as divine truth..
Rexwirth
· 2 years ago
Guys, no one listens to Falwell except a handful of kooks and the media who go nuts when he says crap like this. Why encourage him with posts like this?
smart
· 2 years ago
I think you are mistaken.
Anonymous
· 2 years ago
I'm kind of surprised that Falwell is still relevant. He was pretty much superseded by Ralph Reed, and theh Reed decided to quit and make some money, and then the Christian Coalition fell into disarray because it started paying attention to economic justice issues.
Dobson is pretty much the big dog now, but he's so cold and colorless.
Anonymous
· 2 years ago
I wonder what Ted Haggard thinks about global warming...
Anonymous
· 2 years ago
"Falwell is just trying to pass his personal ideology as divine truth.."
Good point. And as we all know, the only people holding an exclusive franchise on The Truth are Al Gore and his acolytes. He even says so himself, so it must be true.
Anonymous
· 2 years ago
"Good point. And as we all know, the only people holding an exclusive franchise on The Truth are Al Gore and his acolytes. He even says so himself, so it must be true."
That's a pretty sad attempt at a comeback. Al Gore is informing people about the latest science from the IPCC which includes hundreds of climate experts from around the world, it's not like he's making that stuff up, he's just a messenger.
And I'll point out that the US is pretty much the last place in the world where that message still wasn't accepted by the mainstream, so it's not as if Gore's the maverick here. Falwell and Bush are..
Anonymous
· 2 years ago
"I'm kind of surprised that Falwell is still relevant."
Only in the world of die-hard left wing moonbats. They're only three decades out of date.
I find it revealing that they are so obsessed with a clown like Falwell, who, let's face it, exerts zero influence -- yet real religious fundamentalists -- the kind who fly planes into buildings, commit suicide bombings, host Holocaust revisionist conferences, build nuclear arsenals, chop heads off of people, stone women for driving cars -- don't even ruffle their feathers.
But then, those types of fundamentalists share a common enemy with today's left -- namely those of us who inhabit the real world, not to mention reality in general.
Anonymous
· 2 years ago
"To be fair, there IS a scriptural basis for Falwell's claims."
Where is this 'scriptural basis' for Falwell's claims? My Bible says that God "will bring to ruin those ruining the earth" (Revelation 11:18). If he were maintaining the earth until Christ's 'second coming', why would he allow men to ruin it?
Ed Feldheim
· 2 years ago
This is in a way very interesting. I would like to suggest a very informative and intriguing program produced by Bill Moyers titled "Is God Green?" You can find it in iTunes under the podcast section.
Aaron
· 2 years ago
*sigh*
I'm a Christian. Well, you could call me that. I'm going through what religion would call a "crisis of faith". I honestly don't know what to believe anymore.
Anyways, I don't like Falwell and Pat Robertson representing the majority of us Christians. Any televangelist actually.
So I just ask that you don't judge all of us as harshly as you would those who listen to these nut jobs' every last word. There ARE some decent, non-judgemental, loving Christians who would love nothing more than to see everyone get along. There are some bad seeds and sadly, those are the people who get the most attention.
Lilly
· 2 years ago
Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA not only is a biased writer but is taking thinks out of conntext in order to prove her extreme biased OPINION. Calling ppl names will not prove any point...so everyone who called him a name back...is a hypocrite in fact. Global Warming is a tricky thing...and those who are extreme tree huggers need to step back and say...am I a hypocrite? Do i drive a suv instead of a geo?(hmmm...interesting, prob not), and all the products that we use? How are they produced? How much popution and Global warming does that contribute to. US is a tangled web of interdependance and you cannot blame one set of individuals for "messing up our environmet," we are probably somehow responsible for it by the things we buy and do in life. Stop judging...it's equally your fault...every if you "think" you are a tree hugger. Tarzan is prob the only real tree hugger that ever lived.
Henrik N
· 2 years ago
I am not an american but it is my opinon that when somebody who believes in unprovable , unscientific, nonsense. Makes some kind of statement regarding science where he or she uses his beliefs as proof, it is not to be taken seriously. At least not as serious science or anything that has to do with the real world.
craig
· 2 years ago
Falwell using the term, "first class nuts" is really rich...talk about calling the kettle black!
What else has "his truthfulness" stated as fact?
Gays cause hurricanes, tornados, etc.
(does that mean sunshine is caused by straight people?)
Aids is God's punishment to gays
(just like polio was God's punishment to children in the 1940 and 50's)
Liberals will be judged as immoral
(after all, equal rights and being against war is wrong in God's eyes)
oh heck, we could go on and on but...why?
notice how Falwell does not, can not, will not provide one fact to put down "global-warming mania" and will only use name calling as his argument...and if you send him money, he will make sure you get to heaven!
daganium
· 2 years ago
Falwell is against global warming for 1 reason & 1 reason only: Because Al Gore is for it.
A certain segment of the right wing allows their jealousy & hatred of Al Gore to trump reality (ie, the realities of global warming).
Imagine if Ronald Reagan had been big on global warming; Falwell/Bush/Cheney & the blowhards @Fox Noise would all be driving electric cars now & constantly picking on liberals for being "enviromental defeatists."
Anonymous
· 2 years ago
Falwell need to find a hole, bury himself, die, and make the world a better place....what an insane moron....i hate people like this.
Blogengezer
· 2 years ago
Global Warming is an undeniable fact, check blogengeezer over at wordpress to see what it Historically looks like. Interglacial at wordpress is also an example. (Icecaps a rarety? blasphemy?) As for Falwell, he is only a man with faults inherent in all men, including Al. (not to exclude women of course)
Anarchology
· 1 year ago
To be honest, the World is BETTER without people like Falwell, and in my eyes, he shouldn't be missed. If anything, he should have taken Pat Robertson along with him!
These religious nutjobs seem to find every technological advance that doesn't go along with the fairy tales in the Bible to be "liberal bullshit".
If we thought that all forms of advancement and technology were "Satan" inspired, then we would still be banging stones together to start a fire, and surely wouldn't be discussing this on the internet.
All Comments
To be fair, there IS a scriptural basis for Falwell's claims. However, many other Christians don't find these scriptures to be inconsistent with the realities of human-facilitated climate change.
*mental note:
"retarded religious fanatics + too much money + too many nukes" == "teh shit"
Just so everyone knows, there are lots of us in Lynchburg who actually hate Jerry. Okay, hate is such a strong word, how about "vehemently oppose his narrow-minded, high fat, high cholesterol driven, ego-centric, money grubbing psycho babble." Thanks, I feel better already.
"To be fair, there IS a scriptural basis for Falwell's claims."
And those saying the opposite of what Falwell is saying also have scriptural basis. That's the problem..
Wow... that is all I can say... Wow. So I just wrote a 2 page comment to this post, but decided to delete it in favor of mom's advice: "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all!"
I wonder if Falwell has vested interests elsewhere. I also find it strange that that bipartisanship is at the evangelical level.
This guy does fit the image of the fat, egocentric, maniacle, money grubbing fanatic that is so common with big oil and big business.
The latest News is filled with all of the Politicians getting on "The Green Bandwagon'"and forcing rapid change in the opposite direction. The New congress promised that for the Nation.
Yesterday the Wall Street Journal made a very small mention to the fact that 'issues' are trading faster and faster, 7 months avg holding time. Unequaled since 1929, check out that date in HIstory
27Feb07 morning news, Stock Market falls 140 points. "Hang on Sloopy, Sloopy Hang On"
In re: WSJ
I think this new Treehugging idea regime will have staying power because it has economic appeal that people can see every day, even overworked young parents, who tend to be cynical about ideas that come from people with extra time on their hands.
Issues like the deficit and global warming are abstract to people, but technology cut your outrageous utility bill and cost at the pump, well that catches on.
The moral dimension, which uses empowerment, provides mental grounding. Fallwell's moral regime uses power and guilt.
(I met someone from Lynchburg who told me Liberty actually is a big party school. Parents send troublemaking kids there to straighten out, and all they do is meet other hard cases and swap ideas.)
I believe that this guy is both right and wrong. We are defintly not getting duped because Global Warming is a real problem, but he is very right in saying that "God will maintain the Earth until Christ's second coming." I believe the second coming and Global Warming go hand in hand. It may be sooner than we think!!. With that said wouldn't you like to have a happier cleaner earth for what ever time we have left here??? It might even make the Big Man upstairs happy to see that we are trying to fix the damage we have done to his Earth!
Read this if you don't believe that the end may be very near and that global warming may be a big part of it....
http://www.whatsaiththescripture.com/Prophets/T...>
This is rich! Even the Bible teaches that we are the stewards of the Earth. What we do to the Earth only hurts us. And I'm neither a treehugger nor an an environmentalist.
Environmentalism about a lot more than a nice, clean world. It's about a world with less extreme poverty and desperation.
Fallwell is totally wrong. His entire intention is to polarize humanity and foment violence. He is as far from Christian values as a person can get. The fact that he proclaims himself to be religous only makes it worse.
Ok, so maybe there is scripture saying God will take care of the earth for us, but there is also scripture that talks about how you body is a temple for the lord and you should mistreat it. I've heard that scripture tied into why you should look after your own health and what not. I understand having faith that God will keep everything running good for us, but what is the harm of sorting your trash and recycling? Or buying a CFL bulb? Its not like people are going to be busy doing theses things that they won't be going to church.
Falwell will fight any effort that gives Evangelical Christians common cause with any but the extreme rightwing in the US. This is simply the use of scripture and the sincere faith of believers for politics.
In the past I've heard some claim that the translation of Genesis that gives man "dominion" over the earth is justification for any destructive practice they desire. Now we've got Falwell saying that environmentalism is the work of Satan. It's all just effort to protect their own interests, whether political or financial.
I think that from the christian point of view, that any destruction of God's creation (a.k.a., murder, pollution, etc.) could and should be considered sinning. In this case, global warming makes sense because the wages of sin is death not only for man, but for man's environment. Why do they not see the earth as God's creation that is to be cherished?
If Falwell met Jesus without knowing that it was him, he'd probably call him a dirty hippy peacenik and call security. Falwell has nothing in common with Jesus..
falwell is an ideologue politician using religion as a front. That way he doesn't need to be elected, and he can tell people what to do without being accountable.
Why does this moron scare me so? Maybe it's the sheer ignorance of it all. Does this statement mean that his followers must do all they can to harm the Earth to keep out from Satan's influence?
i agree with whoever above that said there's no scriptural position for falwell's position. if anything, it's the opposite. there's much written about our dominion and stewardship over nature. that's of course debatable, but there's nothing i know of that reads as "God will protect the natural world from human destruction until Jesus Himself comes to end the world."
this guy's just nuts or he knows full well where to find his next (million) dollar(s).
I agree with OtherDoug, ANY destruction of God's creation is a sin. I also agree with a lot of you guys that Falwell has said some very inconsistent things and is not portraying an accurate relfection of Jesus to the world. However, I do not hold that name calling is a very Christ-like way of proving our points either. We need to be praying for all the Falwell's out there that God would change their opinions.
I had a little hope for Falwell when, sometime in the lat '90s, he had an outreach seminar to gays and lesbians. It didn't pan out, regrettably.
Hate the sin, love the sinner.
Of course, environmentalists are very into using shame too! It's a powerful weapon and easy to use, but rarely productive. I congratulate all the good people at Treehugger and Worldchanging for encouraging creativity and supporting the urge to share.
When the nuts come at you with idiocy, reason and love of life are the only defense.
I'm no admirer of Jerry Falwell, but this article seems pretty dishonest. No matter what you may think of Falwell -- who really doesn't exert any substantial influence -- the linked news story at no point quotes Falwell as saying he "hates dirty hippies".
In fact, the author, Jasmin Malik Chua, blatantly puts words in Falwell's mouth and basically makes shit up.
Her spluttering, inarticulate hatred of Falwell is plain for all to see. But, let's face it, Falwell is a pretty slow-moving target, and what is really accomplished by this kind of rage-fuelled nonsense by the author?
What Falwell actually says, according to the news story is:
"Falwell said the Bible teaches that God will maintain the Earth until Jesus returns, so Christians should be responsible environmentalists, but not what he calls ... quote ... "first-class nuts.""
Agree with that position or not, it seems the author of this Treehugger article is the type of person to which Falwell is referring. Essentially, she has unwittingly given credibility to Falwell's argument.
anonymous @ 8:16pm, after reading your comment, i figured i should see for myself, so i checked out the link to the article and read it for myself, and besides a bit of snarky irritation at falwell's irrational statements, this treehugger post is almost verbatim what was quoted in the interview.
so he didnt call al gore a dirty hippie, thats not really the point. plus, it really most likely is what he was thinking, mean spirited little hatemonger.
Dear Anonymous,
Your feigned ignorance about the culture and practice of blog postings is not fooling anyone. Everyone reading this blog (including you) is fully aware that the author was using sarcasm to prove a point.
Here's a Falwell quote to chew on.
Falwell said that America had lost its divine "veil of protection" because of liberalism, at that allowed the September 11 attacks to occur.
Such a quote is:
A. sacriligeous
B. insulting to the victims of 9/11
C. insulting to America
...and that quote CAN be verified.
Elaine,
"almost verbatim" = fake but accurate?
"so he didnt call al gore a dirty hippie, thats not really the point."
Um, actually, it is the point.
"plus, it really most likely is what he was thinking"
I see. You're telephathic and you can read Jerry Falwell's mind. So, in other words, as far as you're concerned, what Falwell actually said is "not the point" -- but what you imagine he was "probably thinking" should take precedence.
Thanks for straightening that out.
Rob,
"Your feigned ignorance about the culture and practice of blog postings is not fooling anyone. "
I wasn't aware that I was trying to "fool" anyone. But, somehow, you've seen through my crafty ruse.
"Everyone reading this blog (including you) is fully aware that the author was using sarcasm to prove a point."
Actually I wasn't aware of that. I just thought the author was making up shit. Thanks for explaining.
"Here's a Falwell quote to chew on."
Who cares? Evidently, he's *your* bogey-man, not mine.
I just sent a note to the Jerry Falwell web site protesting their sick take on things. Here is the link if you want to file a protest.
http://www.falwell.com/contact_us.php<br />
down with religion!
The trouble with the bible is that it was written by many different people, and has morphed as each translator and minister adds his (or her) own politics into the message of God. One has to admit that a lot of the things in it just don't make sense from a modern perspective, especially with 2 or more stories contradicting each other.
Falwell is just reading what he wants to out of the bible, and ignoring the other parts. I would love to see him and the Anglican bishop featured a few days ago (who has given up flying) in a theological debate. They could probably have opposite yet not unfounded points and counterpoints.
I personally also think that were Jesus to meet him, he would be considered by Falwell to be a "first class nut". I would consider the Reverend to be a "First class nut" as well.
Anonymous said:
"Essentially, she has unwittingly given credibility to Falwell's argument."
Well, that's just it. There is no way that credibility can be given, wittingly or not, to Falwell's argument. Satan using Global Warming to distract the pious? Can anyone say "South Park Episode"?
Environmental types of all stripes are at a crucial point in history right now. Since people are actually LISTENING to us for the first time in 25 years, we have an opportunity to refute the misinformation that has been disseminated about us in the mass media, unrebutted, since the '80s.
There is a danger of overreaching, and settling old scores just for the heck of it. That's unadvisable. Environmentalism isn't partisan (witness the awakening of the great Governator, and the history of Republican environmentalists going back to the bully TR), and it doesn't provide absolute answers to spritual questions (because everyone here agrees it ain't a religion.)
However, now is the time we can bring up for the public's consideration the environmental abuses of James Watt, and the sham assertions that Bush Senior (the smart one) was an Environmental President, and we can debunk the smokescreen carefully managed by the warming deniers, and basically put the last generation of anti-environmentalism into perspective for the voters.
Now is the time to restore equipoise to the enivironmental conversation, for the benefit of all of us, including the undecided and the timid. And we can't do it by insult attacks (of which I admit I am guilty), and we can't let Rev. Jerry draw us into a battle on ground of his choosing.
And this is why religion MUST be stopped. Fanatic fundamentalists like brainwash people that believe in something akin to the toothfairy that we shouldn't be trying to correct our environment.
Ah, Americans... Always making me laugh.
The concept of Stewardship is a liberal lie!
here's a link to some research on global warming i wanted to share.
global warming causes stronger atlantic hurricanes
al gore is hypocrit ... yes, sure he's done a good job awareness wise, but as shown in today's headlines, his personal carbon footprint from his home is 20 times that of the average american ... a heated swimming pool ... gas laterns ... etc
'do as i say, not as i do'
shameful
now that is an inconvenient truth
and all those show-biz save the planet bangers planning to stand on stage at 'live earth' in july ... be warned ... the best thing you could do is stay at home and figure out how to reduce your footprints ... you're more accountable for those dying in africa from climate change than most!
"To be fair, there IS a scriptural basis for Falwell's claims. However, many other Christians don't find these scriptures to be inconsistent with the realities of human-facilitated climate change."
If it's fair you want to be, then keep your scriptures about your god out of the discussion of what's best for *our* Earth. Your religion doubtless has many interesting things to say about stewardship, and going forth and having dominion over the creatures of the Earth, but guess what? Many of us do not believe in your god nor subscribe to the tenets of your scriptures.
I wonder if one day we might all be able to agree that religion has *no* place in a scientific discussion?
Hey, why not accept the internet as your bible? Then you'll have scripture to back up Goatse.
Funny old world. All the liberals and environmentalists are posting articles tolerant of religion, and the anti-religious screed are all trojan horse postings from conervative activists trying to stir up trouble.
Trouble ain't gonna be stirred up here. We're all treehuggers, remember!
Remember the shiny thing on Star Trek that fed on conflict between others? Kirk and the Klingon sent it packing!
And then we wonder why some of us atheists are getting angry...
The stupid factory is open 24/7, that's why
"God will maintain the Earth until Christ's second coming"
Hmm. Let's all ignore our god given free-will and our potential to possibly ruin the Earth. That way we can all sit back with the Christians and let global warming gradually get worse. Then when everything is past the point of fixing, we can all look back and realize that Christians truly caused Hell on Earth.
I'm an atheist, but in defense of christians, lets not confuse them as a group with Falwell and his followers. Not all christians believe that crap.
Perhaps everyone should do some scriptural research and see when this "second coming" already happened. . .Also, do your own research in general and quit taking these nutbag clergymen at their word. It's still your own responsibility.
According to the book of Genesis, God created the world in six days. And he said of his creation, that "It is good". Destruction of God's beautiful handiwork due to stupidity, lazyness, arrogance, convenience and greed goes direcly against God. If you are unable to see this, then you are not qualified to represent God.
It's clear that this guy will be the next president.
Wow - talk about a comment that has been totally misunderstood. Falwell (who I neither support nor watch) - is referring to the main purpose of the church - evangelism, and the dangers of making anything (even the environment) the "primary focus" of the church. He's talking evangelical theology - not current affairs.
Perhaps he is ignorant concerning the environment and global warming - but dare I say that perhaps this flaming post was added by someone who is equally as ignorant about evangelical theology? Yup. I dare say that - cause it's true.
He is not saying those who believe in global warming are "satanic" - he's saying that anything that takes the church away from evangelism is satanic - because he believes many "evangelicals" are riding the wave of the latest "the church can be cool, too" fad (global warming).
Falwell should concentrate more on the seven deadly sins, gluttony in particular. He is so bloated it appears he will explode!
George, I don't buy that. The church is constantly doing other stuff than evangelism; social causes, poverty, health, education, POLITICS, etc. I don't think that suddenly caring about global warming - something that will affect all Christians, even if they have their heads burried in the sand - is over-stepping some line.
Falwell is just trying to pass his personal ideology as divine truth..
Guys, no one listens to Falwell except a handful of kooks and the media who go nuts when he says crap like this. Why encourage him with posts like this?
I think you are mistaken.
I'm kind of surprised that Falwell is still relevant. He was pretty much superseded by Ralph Reed, and theh Reed decided to quit and make some money, and then the Christian Coalition fell into disarray because it started paying attention to economic justice issues.
Dobson is pretty much the big dog now, but he's so cold and colorless.
I wonder what Ted Haggard thinks about global warming...
"Falwell is just trying to pass his personal ideology as divine truth.."
Good point. And as we all know, the only people holding an exclusive franchise on The Truth are Al Gore and his acolytes. He even says so himself, so it must be true.
"Good point. And as we all know, the only people holding an exclusive franchise on The Truth are Al Gore and his acolytes. He even says so himself, so it must be true."
That's a pretty sad attempt at a comeback. Al Gore is informing people about the latest science from the IPCC which includes hundreds of climate experts from around the world, it's not like he's making that stuff up, he's just a messenger.
And I'll point out that the US is pretty much the last place in the world where that message still wasn't accepted by the mainstream, so it's not as if Gore's the maverick here. Falwell and Bush are..
"I'm kind of surprised that Falwell is still relevant."
Only in the world of die-hard left wing moonbats. They're only three decades out of date.
I find it revealing that they are so obsessed with a clown like Falwell, who, let's face it, exerts zero influence -- yet real religious fundamentalists -- the kind who fly planes into buildings, commit suicide bombings, host Holocaust revisionist conferences, build nuclear arsenals, chop heads off of people, stone women for driving cars -- don't even ruffle their feathers.
But then, those types of fundamentalists share a common enemy with today's left -- namely those of us who inhabit the real world, not to mention reality in general.
"To be fair, there IS a scriptural basis for Falwell's claims."
Where is this 'scriptural basis' for Falwell's claims? My Bible says that God "will bring to ruin those ruining the earth" (Revelation 11:18). If he were maintaining the earth until Christ's 'second coming', why would he allow men to ruin it?
This is in a way very interesting. I would like to suggest a very informative and intriguing program produced by Bill Moyers titled "Is God Green?" You can find it in iTunes under the podcast section.
*sigh*
I'm a Christian. Well, you could call me that. I'm going through what religion would call a "crisis of faith". I honestly don't know what to believe anymore.
Anyways, I don't like Falwell and Pat Robertson representing the majority of us Christians. Any televangelist actually.
So I just ask that you don't judge all of us as harshly as you would those who listen to these nut jobs' every last word. There ARE some decent, non-judgemental, loving Christians who would love nothing more than to see everyone get along. There are some bad seeds and sadly, those are the people who get the most attention.
Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA not only is a biased writer but is taking thinks out of conntext in order to prove her extreme biased OPINION. Calling ppl names will not prove any point...so everyone who called him a name back...is a hypocrite in fact. Global Warming is a tricky thing...and those who are extreme tree huggers need to step back and say...am I a hypocrite? Do i drive a suv instead of a geo?(hmmm...interesting, prob not), and all the products that we use? How are they produced? How much popution and Global warming does that contribute to. US is a tangled web of interdependance and you cannot blame one set of individuals for "messing up our environmet," we are probably somehow responsible for it by the things we buy and do in life. Stop judging...it's equally your fault...every if you "think" you are a tree hugger. Tarzan is prob the only real tree hugger that ever lived.
I am not an american but it is my opinon that when somebody who believes in unprovable , unscientific, nonsense. Makes some kind of statement regarding science where he or she uses his beliefs as proof, it is not to be taken seriously. At least not as serious science or anything that has to do with the real world.
Falwell using the term, "first class nuts" is really rich...talk about calling the kettle black!
What else has "his truthfulness" stated as fact?
Gays cause hurricanes, tornados, etc.
(does that mean sunshine is caused by straight people?)
Aids is God's punishment to gays
(just like polio was God's punishment to children in the 1940 and 50's)
Liberals will be judged as immoral
(after all, equal rights and being against war is wrong in God's eyes)
oh heck, we could go on and on but...why?
notice how Falwell does not, can not, will not provide one fact to put down "global-warming mania" and will only use name calling as his argument...and if you send him money, he will make sure you get to heaven!
Falwell is against global warming for 1 reason & 1 reason only: Because Al Gore is for it.
A certain segment of the right wing allows their jealousy & hatred of Al Gore to trump reality (ie, the realities of global warming).
Imagine if Ronald Reagan had been big on global warming; Falwell/Bush/Cheney & the blowhards @Fox Noise would all be driving electric cars now & constantly picking on liberals for being "enviromental defeatists."
Falwell need to find a hole, bury himself, die, and make the world a better place....what an insane moron....i hate people like this.
Global Warming is an undeniable fact, check blogengeezer over at wordpress to see what it Historically looks like. Interglacial at wordpress is also an example. (Icecaps a rarety? blasphemy?) As for Falwell, he is only a man with faults inherent in all men, including Al. (not to exclude women of course)
To be honest, the World is BETTER without people like Falwell, and in my eyes, he shouldn't be missed. If anything, he should have taken Pat Robertson along with him!
These religious nutjobs seem to find every technological advance that doesn't go along with the fairy tales in the Bible to be "liberal bullshit".
If we thought that all forms of advancement and technology were "Satan" inspired, then we would still be banging stones together to start a fire, and surely wouldn't be discussing this on the internet.