Archbishop - care for environment teaches us about God

[LeaningTowardsPisa]

His voice is absolutely thrilling.

[HitMeQuick]

I was touched by this man whilst watching this.

[dezboss]

I was very impressed by the way this has been presented and I sympathise with what he says.

[dezboss]

A fine man.

[dezboss]

I'm not a religious man particularly, I was christened Church of England but my views have always been agnostic. But I have a lot of time for both the Church of England and Rowan Williams, he is an incredibly clever man and very wise.

[bazzymushpea123]

I like Rowan Williams, I have a lot of time for him.

[playbassken]

A great message that is a true eye opener and should be seen by everyone. Glory be to God.

[cdjchicago]

I think this was a brilliant comparison, waste and "emotional short-termism." In order to have anything long lasting in life we have to include God, our Heavenly Father. We are merely finite, imperfect, and proud creatures. As a result of our finite nature we can easily corrupt love. Love is eternal, and therefore we need to incorporate God into our loving relationships. Without a doubt this could remedy the vast amounts of seperation and divorce of couples. God bless you Archbishop.

[6897790x]

Great beard. I love this guy, he speaks the truth.

[weeweelegs]

Why won't Rowan address the real issues, homasexuality, abbortion, sin E.T.C . No side track everyone from the real issues.

Jesus said in Matt 24 v 22 unless He steps in all flesh will be destroyed, we are to be good stewarts of Gods creation, oh yes Rowan dose'nt believe in creation. Only Jesus will bring true peace and restore the earth , when He comes to reign on the earth.

[RevCarey]

perhaps we need to read the whole story as the whole story, the 'canonical' story...including these troubling episodes, but also the promise of God's mercy, love, forgiveness, and compassion for all of God's creation ...

[hdisready]

Churches are working hard to reduce their footprint. Mine celebrates winter saints' days in people's homes rather than heat a large building for a few. We compost churchyard waste, reuse and recycle as much as we can. The vicar uses public transport for almost all travel beyond the parish. In it he walks everywhere. Nor are we in the front rank of "eco-congregations". Care for the earth has long been on the agenda of churches.

[gustavo2828]

I believe that people need this type of videos. They create awareness, they educate, they show those who care.

Al Gore's movie is an example of how even a politician can gain respect and create awareness for talking about topics such as weather, climate and environment.

I liked this video and its message and certainly appreciated that it was posted.

[andgreen99]

Anyone with any knowledge of the old testament will know that God is in fact very wasteful:

1. He encouraged animal sacrifice

2. Instructed the Israelite army to commit genoside (on more than one occasion)

and

3. wiped (almost) all humans from the face of the planet in the story of the great flood.

If you believe the stories in the old testament that is - which, I assume, the archbishop does.

Nope, it doesn't work, try again.

[paco3576]

3/3

The church has had, and has always had, the opportunity to reach people on a personal level. The church could have been and have been at the forefront of the environmentalist movement for years, providing green leadership, organizing grassroots, neighbourhood-based environmental movements... but again, what has it been doing? Nothing.

The people of Earth do not need such videos. What we need is action and leadership.

[AspiringAnglican]

paco3576, I understand your frustration. However, now that beloved Mother Church of England (I'm an Episcopalian) is attempting to "reach people on a personal level" and providing "green leadership," I'm wary to flame him so harshly. I'm simply glad that a prominent religious leader is trying to wake people up to the very real concerns of environmentalism.

[christiangoth84]

Actually, different churches do different amounts. Some churches are actually harmful to the ideology of environmentalism. I have heard, for example, of one evangelical priest claiming that global warming is not a problem since the world would end soon, anyway. On the other side of things, some churches are actually VERY green. Some actually power themselves by solar or geothermal energy. Some do make it a big deal for their congregants. My own church is making a gradual transition to that

[christiangoth84]

What you are referring to is known as environmental stewardship. Stewardship is the idea that we possess, care for, and use in accordance with the will of God what God has given us. Obviously, environmental stewardship applies this concept to the environment.

[christiangoth84]

The thing is, whether environmental damage is a serious problem is not a theological issue, but a scientific one. Theology only teaches that IF it's a serious problem, then something should be done. While at this point the science is pretty clearly in that it's a serious problem, that fact has failed to convince all people as certain political groups have an agenda to promote business over environment and thus deceive large groups of people.

[christiangoth84]

At any rate, since Protestant churches tend to lack a pope-like figure, it is to be expected that church responses to the environmental damage that is around us will be heterogeneous and less organized than what you seem to desire.

[christiangoth84]

I encourage you to poke around the tubes a little on the subject of Christian environmentalism. It's definitely out there. I hope you like what you find, although we can both recognize that more from Christians, just like more from the population as a whole, is needed.

In Christ,

~~Me

[paco3576]

2/3

Yet, what does the church do? As always, nothing, except spout out empty words. Thanks, Archbishop, but you're about 40 years, a degrees Celsius or so, and a number of melting polar ice-caps too late.

[paco3576]

What hollow and meaningless words.

The Earth is one of God's creations, and yet most people, including the Christian clergy, treat the Earth terribly. The Christian church should be, by definition, environmentalist, green. After all, if you treat the Earth badly, are you not showing disrespect for God himself? Are you not showing disregard for the power and glory of God?

[elgin413]

"what has [the Church] been doing? Nothing."

oh, really?

Let those without sin cast the first stone.

[AspiringAnglican]

I agree wholeheartedly! It is God's creation, and we are the stewards of Creation. We do need action and leadership, but I also think we need inspiration to precipitate that action. Hopefully other Anglican clergy (and leaders from other faith traditions) will carry Dr. Williams's message into the pulpit and the mission field.

[mckinnons3]

paco, you are correct. But this problem cannot be effectively addressed by individuals. Let me restate that: there will not be enough individuals responding to make an effective difference. It is systemic and deep seated and requires restructuring at high levels. Our job is to urge our leaders to take the necessary steps and support them when they do so.

[fxrao]

very thought provoking.....

[amlinz]

Rock on!  Well said.