Originally posted by epiphinehas
The message of the article is not exactly as you portray. The main concern is whether or not it is right to depend upon a miracle to save our planet from destructive elements.
If we have the attitude, "Oh well, don't bother trying to save the earth from destruction, God is coming back soon to set things right," then we, by our lack of concern, have e phecy in order to justify doing nothing? This is essentially the Archbishop's message.
If the archbishop had put his trust and faith in the word of God, for once, he would not have uttered his statement, for it is self evident, from scripture that God will not let his creation be destroyed. But no, instead of highlighting scripture, he speaks of nothing but his own reasoning from his own originality. Look Epi, no one is saying that we have no responsibility or that we should do nothing, infact, quite the contrary, for was not one of the first decrees that God gave to Adam, to look after, take care of and cultivate the earth? has Gods purpose for the earth changed, absolutely not! therefore your criticism is unjustified, for it only partly portrays what is essentially a basic Biblical teaching, although perhaps i did not make this clear.
rather interestingly, about fifteen years ago, i was buying petrol from a garage on Great Western road, Glasgow. To my astonishment i was approached by a group of well meaning young persons, very sincere students in fact who were protesting at this particular company's exploitation of the Antarctic. I listened to their concerns and felt a great empathy with their cause, for I have always loved the environment. I stated that I had a hope towards God that he would eventually resolve any environmental issues that we were facing. a young girl reproached me and said that she was not going to wait around for God to do something, I said ok, i wish you well, but I held the view then that I do now, that these problems are on a vast scale and that I felt sorry for I have no faith that humanity could overcome them which at present I think is more justified than ever. Hopefully i will be proved wrong.
Let me ask you this, did her protestations stop the exploitation of the environment? No, absolutely not, well meaning and sincere as they were! why not? For the issues were too complicated and deep rooted! for example which country is prepared to sacrifice its economic growth for the environment? The U.K, China, Russia, The U.S.? When someone in the U.K goes to a shop to buy goods, do you think they are concerned that it was made in China, a country which has sixteen of twenty of the most polluted cities on earth? no they are concerned with its quality and the bottom line, that's their first concern. So it is with the environment and economy. Perhaps you have a solution, but as for me, I have hope towards God that he will not let his creation be destroyed beyond its regenerative capacity, you are free to differ - regards Robbie.