Did you know that tomorrow is “Vote Earth Day”? Yeah, me neither. I found out about it courtesy of the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program’s “Swords Into Plowshares” blog:
Your Light Switch is your Vote: Vote Earth
Saturday, March 28, 8:30 – 9:30 pm (20:30 – 21:30)This year, Earth Hour has been transformed into the world’s first global election, between Earth and global warming. For the first time in history, people of all ages, nationalities, race and background have the opportunity to use their light switch as their vote – Switching off your lights is a vote for Earth, or leaving them on is a vote for global warming. World Wildlife Fund urges the world to VOTE EARTH and reach the target of 1 billion votes, which will be presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009.
Okey dokey. Even as more and more people are getting the word that global warming hysteria is a symptom of a religiously-based environmental fundamentalism, impervious to facts but in love with apocalyptic prophecies, there are more and more gimmicks to get us to do whatever it is that the hysterics are advocating on any particular day. So I’m going to fire up every light in the house tomorrow evening, as a way of saying that I want no part of this particular cult.
UPDATE: It wasn’t a very good joke, so not everyone got it. My apologies. I am not going to be turning on every light in our house this evening. And just for the record, I’m not in favor of wasting energy. I’m against junk science being used to scare people into doing things that are unnecessary, turning control of their lives and futures over to the government because of a trumped-up threat, and dooming poor people to continuing poverty for no reason. But I’m certanly not against a clean environment, or in favor of wasteful use of resources. Weare stewards of God’s creation, called to use it for the benefit of all humanity.
The Reformed Pastor 
March 27, 2009 at 2:29 pm
David, your readers may be interested in the feature article about Freeman Dyson in this week’s New York Times magazine. Dyson is a voice within the minority of scientists who question the global warming orthodoxy. The article is absolutely engaging and can be read here:
March 27, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Celebrate Human Achievement Hour during that time instead: http://blip.tv/file/1921908
😉
March 27, 2009 at 5:39 pm
“So I’m going to fire up every light in the house tomorrow evening, as a way of saying that I want no part of this particular cult.”
So, in other words, you’re going to say to God: “I don’t give a rip about being a good steward of your creation; I’ll waste your energy just to make a silly statement no person will actually hear”.
Hmm…
Okey dokey!
March 27, 2009 at 7:22 pm
I guess I don’t understand where you’re coming from. I have been in the oil business for almost 30 years. I can assure you, the oil will run out. It takes more and more technology, and money, to recover the oil that is present.
So I guess, as Christians, we are called to be good stewards of everything that God has given us, so, what’s with the attitude?
I live everyday with choking smog from industry and cars. I can’t eat fish because of the heavy metals found in them. I buy bottled water.
Forty years ago, as a teenager in LA, I became very concerned about what we were doing to our planet. Now, the issue has become another “us and them” and we’re all going to lose.
You may think that the idea of everyone turning off their lights for an hour is silly, and maybe it is, but as Christians, I think we shouldn’t have an attitude about it. Because you blog, you’re voice is out there, representing the rest of us. Your words have power.
So, instead of seeking scientists to rebut the global warming proponents, look around, with your own eyes and see what we’ve done. All I have to do is walk to my window.
March 27, 2009 at 9:27 pm
Yes, we are to be good stewards; however, we are not to put the environment above all else, making it an idol.
If someone is going to make a real statement, why not go an entire week without using anything that requires power? http://www.620wtmj.com/shows/charliesykes/41710527.html
Just a thought. 🙂
March 28, 2009 at 8:02 am
There is a great distance between wanting to preserve the planet for our children and making an idol of the environment. Personally, I don’t believe in making statements at all. If we are truly stewards of God’s creation, we should be living that way daily. No need for grand gestures.
We are to be examples. If I am shocked by this response, imagine what a non-Christian would think of it. I think, hope, pray that David is just trying to make a point. I would be surprised if he had such disregard for God’s creation. But, also, as a Pastor, he knows the power of words.
March 28, 2009 at 8:48 am
Sam, it’s a blog. Writing conventions are different in the blogosphere than they are in a sermon. I am positive that he would put it differently if he chose to tackle the issue from the pulpit.
FWIW, I think he is right. Earth hour has definite religious overtones. The schools did it on Friday, and I kept my kids home rather than allow them to participate in it. Much too close to gaia worship for my liking.
March 28, 2009 at 1:55 pm
I got it.
I was going to respond that I was going to turn all the lights off and light the house by burning styrofoam and hairspray from aerosol cans, but I wasn’t sure anyone would get that joke either. 🙂
March 28, 2009 at 2:59 pm
If we are truly stewards of God’s creation, we should be living that way daily.
Exactly! But we also need to be reflecting Christ, which includes spreading the Gospel. This includes for our children — we need to be discipling them and preparing them for the next world, not just this one. 🙂
We use various flourescent bulbs (compact, small tube ones and regular), keep the heat low in the winter and the a/c at higher temps in the summer, line dry our clothes from spring through late fall and don’t have things running unnecessarily. BUT it is done more out of frugality (good stewardship of our monies and resources) than for pure environmental concerns. Frugality / thrift and environmentalism tend to go hand in hand. 😉
March 28, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Kate – I know it’s a blog and it is different. However, it may be the only “sermon” some people hear. I don’t really have access to a church of the reformed tradition. I use the internet to stay connected. Up until recently, I only read very progressive blogs. I have been making an effort toward balance. Posts like this make me want to run screaming back to my comfort zone.
I did get that David was making a point. If I, as a Christian, am bothered by it, imagine what a non-Christian, searching for answers might think.
hsgbdmama – “Frugality / thrift and environmentalism tend to go hand in hand.”
You’re right. Except sometimes it will cost more. For example, biodegradable products, fair-trade products, thoughtful consumerism. I think we are all on the same page here. I just suggest showing a little care on how we express ourselves. The world is watching. That also applies to my progressive friends.
“But we also need to be reflecting Christ, which includes spreading the Gospel. This includes for our children — we need to be disciplining them and preparing them for the next world, not just this one.”
This is a subject close to my heart. I have done this, however, because my daughter is gay and has been rejected by her church, she is no longer a Christian. All it took was a few words from a youth director. Again, the power of words.