Environmentalism as a Religion

[Lanny_MacDonald]

Originally Posted by jonesy

Better give him one of yours.

I can't. Their symbols of my religion.

[jonesy]

Originally Posted by Lanny_MacDonald

I can't. Their symbols of my religion.

Everybody needs something to believe in!

ps
I am hoping you understood the deeper meaning behind my good natured barb

[Rockin' Flames]

Originally Posted by Agamemnon

Its wierd... I don't feel like my concern for the well-being of the planet we live on is comparable to my believing that Jesus died for our sins 2000 years ago, was resurrected into heaven, and now 'sits' (what, is he lazy?) at the right hand of the LORD.

They just don't seem like the same 'leaps of faith' from where I'm sitting... the former seems just good common sense, the latter a wild flight of fancy, a story... are they the same type of belief? Is the same leap of faith required to believe in Environmentalism (well-being of the planet) as Christianity (rising from the dead, angelic hosts, immaculate conception, heaven/hell, etc.)? I'm not convinced.

Well just because you don't see it from where you are sitting doesn't mean that other people don't see it differently. From where I'm sitting I do see it as being the same leap of faith. I havn't seen or heard any evidence sufficient enough to make me believe in Global Warming.

[Burninator]

Originally Posted by Rockin' Flames

Well just because you don't see it from where you are sitting doesn't mean that other people don't see it differently. From where I'm sitting I do see it as being the same leap of faith. I havn't seen or heard any evidence sufficient enough to make me believe in Global Warming.

Read this book. http://www.amazon.ca/Weather-Makers-...1836951&sr=8-1

[Agamemnon]

Originally Posted by Rockin' Flames

Well just because you don't see it from where you are sitting doesn't mean that other people don't see it differently. From where I'm sitting I do see it as being the same leap of faith. I havn't seen or heard any evidence sufficient enough to make me believe in Global Warming.

Global Warming does not entirely equal Environmentalism. This thread was about Environmentalism as Religion, not one aspect of it (Global Warming). Believing we should take care of the planet and believing in everlasting life or that there are virgins waiting for you in heaven are, to me, extremely different kinds of beliefs. Obviously I'm biased though... can you give a few reasons why we shouldn't care about the health of the planet we live on?

I havn't seen or heard any evidence sufficient enough to make me believe in Global Warming

I think there's general consensus that global warming is happening, the debate is over how and why, not whether it is or isn't (as far as I'm aware... educate me otherwise).

[Ford Prefect]

Originally Posted by Agamemnon

Its wierd... I don't feel like my concern for the well-being of the planet we live on is comparable to my believing that Jesus died for our sins 2000 years ago, was resurrected into heaven, and now 'sits' (what, is he lazy?) at the right hand of the LORD.

They just don't seem like the same 'leaps of faith' from where I'm sitting... the former seems just good common sense, the latter a wild flight of fancy, a story... are they the same type of belief? Is the same leap of faith required to believe in Environmentalism (well-being of the planet) as Christianity (rising from the dead, angelic hosts, immaculate conception, heaven/hell, etc.)? I'm not convinced.

That's certainly all true about environmentalism as compared to religions that rely heavily on faith, like Christianity. But what about when compared to ancient pagan religions that were based more on fertility, responsible custodianship of the environment and even scientific elements like astronomy? That's where I see a parallel between enviromentalism and religion. Or are such ancient pagan religions not properly considered religions, but more like cults in the modern context?

[Agamemnon]

Originally Posted by Ford Prefect

That's certainly all true about environmentalism as compared to religions that rely heavily on faith, like Christianity. But what about when compared to ancient pagan religions that were based more on fertility, responsible custodianship of the environment and even scientific elements like astronomy? That's where I see a parallel between enviromentalism and religion. Or are such ancient pagan religions not properly considered religions, but more like cults in the modern context?

You might have to differentiate and define religious activity/belief vs. cultural/traditional activity/belief. One person's cultural belief could be another person's religious belief... I think the lines can get blurry when you go back that far.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Rockin' Flames

I havn't seen or heard any evidence sufficient enough to make me believe in Global Warming.

There is overwhelming evidence...and belief by almost everyone that global warming is happening.

I can't even understand why you would deny that.

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by Rockin' Flames

From where I'm sitting I do see it as being the same leap of faith.

Where exactly are you sitting?

[Lanny_MacDonald]

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

Where exactly are you sitting?

Some place very hard on his neck.

[Rockin' Flames]

Originally Posted by Azure

There is overwhelming evidence...and belief by almost everyone that global warming is happening.

I can't even understand why you would deny that.

Okay if you mean that the tempeture of the earth has risen by less than 1 degree over the past decade I don't deny that. What I do deny is that this change is not due to natural causes.

[llama64]

Originally Posted by Azure

There is overwhelming evidence...and belief by almost everyone that global warming is happening.

I can't even understand why you would deny that.

To be fair, the term used most commonly now is "Climate Change". Seems to spark less controvercy

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Rockin' Flames

Okay if you mean that the tempeture of the earth has risen by less than 1 degree over the past decade I don't deny that. What I do deny is that this change is not due to natural causes.

Well clarify what you mean.

Around here we take people at their word...

And you said this...

I havn't seen or heard any evidence sufficient enough to make me believe in Global Warming.