Historically, the Pope and the Catholic Church have a somewhat spotty record when it comes to scientific discovery, scientific fact and the Church’s teachings.
So it is with very little wonder that I see the Pope weighing in on a secular matter that has to do more with “faith in the religion of environmentalism” than a scientific matter grounded in real science.
There is little or no doubt in my mind that the Church supports far-left causes, often being complicit in the promotion of Marxism and other “collective” causes; especially when it is of value to extending the Church’s dwindling membership and declining revenues.
Reuters is reporting …
“Rich nations must assume environmental duties: pope”
“Industrialized nations must recognize their responsibility for the environmental crisis, shed their consumerism and embrace more sober lifestyles, Pope Benedict said on Tuesday.”
Perhaps if the Pope simply declared that we must be good stewards of the Earth, reduce pollution and assist in providing clean water, food and shelter to those who live in impoverished areas or upgrading sanitary conditions to assist in controlling debilitating disease, I might be inclined to listen and agree. But for the Pope to urge some form of blanket environmentalism does not resonate at all. Especially since the current environmental efforts appears to be a creature of corrupt politicians and failed political ideologies.
“The pope's call for more environmental commitments came in his message for the Roman Catholic Church's annual World Day of Peace, to be marked on Jan 1 and whose theme is’"If You Want to Cultivate Peace, Protect Creation.’"
“The message is traditionally sent to heads of state, government and international organizations and its importance this year is more significant because its release coincided with the U.N. climate conference in Copenhagen.”
"’It is important to acknowledge that among the causes of the present ecological crisis is the historical responsibility of the industrialized countries,’ he said in the message.”
“While saying that developing countries ‘are not exempt from their own responsibilities with regard to creation,’ and had a duty to gradually adopt effective environmental measures, the bulk of his criticism was aimed at rich nations.”
Perhaps someone should tell the Pope that charity is an individual matter, not a matter for government mandates and contributions. Humanitarian aid is far different from the type of Marxist wealth redistribution that the Pope may envision and support.
“Speaking of the need for all nations to address the issue of energy resources, he said: ‘This means that technologically advanced societies must be prepared to encourage more sober lifestyles, while reducing their energy consumption and improving its efficiency."
While the Pope has the right to speak out as he wishes, perhaps he should think about a different message: one that encourages individualism, personal achievement and the scientific and technological discoveries that benefit all mankind rather than lecture us on our “responsibilities” to a collective society.
“He said no nation or people can remain indifferent to problems such as climate change, desertification, pollution, the loss of biodiversity, the increase of natural catastrophes and the deforestation of equatorial and tropical regions.”
Funny, I though that biodiversity was God’s will and that man’s interference in artificially manipulating life was an anathema to the Church. I wonder if the Pope understands that the very nature of man is for the strong to seek control over the natural resources and the peoples of this world? And that religion has been often subverted for this very purpose? Is the Pope actually saying that the impoverished nations should eschew their own wealth creation using the exploitation of their own natural resources in order to participate in some grand political scheme that is not grounded in science? Is the Pope saying to some: welcome to the 21st Century and it really sucks because you come late to the game and must rely on the charity of others?
Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s …
I know the Pope has a problem with Creationism vs. evolutionary theory, but exactly how does the Pope suggest that man’s puny efforts have enough of an effect on nature to change the way physical laws work or that man even has the ability to change the macro-factors which drive climate change?
While older Popes had a problem with the Sun and the center of the universe, just how does the Pope suggest man beneficially interfere in in the solar energy output, the Earth’s orbit around the Sun, the rotational dynamics and precession of the Earth, the management of core dynamics and plate tectonics, the control over volcanoes,the Earths ocean currents and the management of the largest of greenhouse gases, water vapor? Carbon Dioxide, one of the necessary ingredients of life, is not the answer. The Earth has been warmer, colder, with more CO2 and with less CO2 – much of it before man’s industrialization. For the Pope to suggest that additional warming is not beneficial and much more preferable to additional cooling assumes facts not in evidence.
Man is regulated by self-interests and only shamed by religions …
“Environmental concerns too often took a back seat to what he called ‘myopic economic interests,’ adding the international community and governments had a moral duty to ‘send the right signals’ to effectively combat misuse of the environment.”
Governments have a moral duty to protect their sovereignty and the citizenry. They do not have a right to do much to regulate commerce other than to insure that our weights and measures are true, contracts are non-coercive and the law is equally applied to all people. They have a moral duty to protect the God-given human rights of all. They do not have a duty to engage in forced charity or wealth redistribution.
In fact, I would be inclined to support the removal of the Church’s tax exemption if they continue to encourage the type of illegal immigration which is fast becoming problematical in the United States. Hiding behind some form of archaic law to shield those who have committed heinous crimes against children and to continue to obstruct justice when it comes to providing documents to a secular authority. Perhaps the Church need first look inward before telling the rest of humanity how they need behave.
“’Humanity needs a profound cultural renewal; it needs to rediscover those values which can serve as the solid basis for building a brighter future for all,’ he said.”
"’Our present crises -- be they economic, food-related, environmental or social -- are ultimately also moral crises, and all of them are interrelated.’"
Unless the Pope is channeling presidential advisor Rahm Emanuel, environmental crises are not moral crises, but manifestations of an Earth undergoing a perpetual and natural physical transformation. Beyond the reaches of faith and the Church’s teachings.
“He called on all people to ‘move beyond a purely consumerist mentality’ so that they could ‘rethink the path which we are traveling together’ and adapt ‘a lifestyle marked by sobriety and solidarity’ between the haves and the have nots.”
Again, the Pope appears to be encouraging Marxism or Communism – but with a continued support of organized religion which is eschewed by secular states that promote both political ideologies. The Church is accommodated during the transformation process only as part of the command and control mechanism of the state. When the state assumes ultimate power, either the Church becomes the state or is abandoned altogether.
“Environmental issues deserved the attention of the world community because the were human rights issues that could influence the right to life, food, health and development.”
So much of the world’s population is denied the right to life because of their leadership and the use of food and other natural resources as a weapon. It appears that the Church has little or no effect on these poor, unfortunate wretches – so why does the Pope think a Papal prescription of “Can’t we all get along” will make a concrete difference. In some cases, the use of force is unavoidable – and the peaceful teachings of the Church are either naive or grossly ineffective.
"’Sad to say, it is all too evident that large numbers of people in different countries and areas of our planet are experiencing increased hardship because of the negligence or refusal of many others to exercise responsible stewardship over the environment,’ he said.”
The Pope is clearly mistaken and out of his depth as a moral leader if he does not recognize that those who are experiencing hardship are not so much affected by the climate, but their political leadership which is corrupt.
Sadder to say that human rights oppression over much of the world exists because of organized religion – especially IslamoFascism – and that religion combined with state activities is not the answer to the world’s problems.
And even sadder to think that the Pope is ignoring the science of the day and thinks that the redistribution of wealth can change our climate to any measurable degree. It may change the political dynamics of a region, but will do little or nothing to change our climate.
That is, unless the Pope truly believes that the word environmentalism is synonymous with political change or religion itself. Both wrong-headed ideas.
Perhaps if the Pope calls for a greater degree of adaption of science and technology to build stronger shelters, provide cleaner water, develop sanitary facilities and improve our food production methodology, he might be doing some physical good. Or, even recommending that we examine our lifestyle to make personal – not state-mandated – choices to live a more contemplative life or assist those who are less fortunate, he might be doing some spiritual good. Or better yet, calling out those toxic political ideologies and leaders who are oppressing their people. Now that would be a sign of both faith and courage – not the political correctness that will insures the Church’s survival by continuing an unholy alliance with a secular devil that oppresses all of their citizenry.
But to sign on to wealth redistribution and political policies that favor the collective over the individual, the state over the citizens – he is just another self-serving loon who is attempting to cash-in on the current climate craziness. Better he spend his time mending his Church’s moral climate among its leadership and replenishing the significant amount of treasure lost to human folly by errant priests than interfering in secular matters which he apparently does not understand.
That is not to say that the Catholic Church does not contain sincere priests and practitioners – and I know a number of them – but to say that the Catholic Church’s disregard for sovereign borders and the promotion of Marxist-like redistributive efforts should be curtailed in favor of providing moral leadership to their members and leaving the rest of us alone with our science.
-- steve
Reference Links …
Rich nations must assume environmental duties: pope | Green Business | Reuters
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