Hank Hostetler
September 13, 2009
3:43 pm
Pope Benedict XVI is being dubbed, "the green pope" for his recent roles in pushing environmental issues. This 2008 Newsweek article describes the popes efforts to link the strict following of catholic doctrine with the maintaining of environmentally friendly actions. He notes that it is the responsibility of the earth's inhabitants to maintain a clean environment for future generations. Benedict says that taking care of the earth is protecting the original creation as it was written in Genesis. It is a design of the creator and therefore should be treated with the highest care. This article also mentions that the effects of global destruction are often worst for populations who are in poverty and that people who are better off should take responsibility. It is also worth noting that the Vatican is considered to be the world's only carbon neutral sovereign state. It uses enough renewable energies to offset any pollution.
This particular article was written in 2008, but since then, Pope Benedict has continued to back environmentally friendly agendas, coupling his stance with its strong connection to Catholicism. He has most recently placed blame on atheism for much of the world's environmental destruction, stating that atheists do not have any reason to care for the sustainability of the environment.
This topic caught my attention because it is interesting to see the different types of leadership involved in the environmental movement. I agree with the pope that it is the responsibility of humans to take care of the earth that has been given to them. While many atheists may have little regard for the earth's sustainability, I would not blame atheism altogether for environmental destruction. There are many, many factors to be blamed for the on going deterioration of our planet, no single group is solely responsible.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/132523
http://www.examiner.com/x-4275-Secularism-Examiner~y2009m8d30-Pope-blames-atheists-for-environmental-destruction
3 comments:
i think it is really great to see religious figures become involved in enviromental action. religious leaders have a big effect on the people who look up to them- the pope probably has the biggest. I agree that we should take care of our planet because for many reasons, but the pope is pointing out that it is God's creation and conservation is necessary.
I do think that we should want to take care of God’s creation, but I think that it is a little much to blame atheists for the environmental problems. As Christians we see the environment as one of God’s creations, just because atheists don’t look at it the same ways does not mean that there are not some atheists who would agree that it is important to take care of the environment.
I think it is great also to see the pope become more involved with environmental works. The people need a hero to look up to to follow this movement and i think the pope is a good start
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