In “This Week in God” the other day, I noted that the Southern Baptist Convention agreed to adopt a new, more progressive declaration on global warming. In a welcome change, the new position explained, “Our cautious response to these issues in the face of mounting evidence may be seen by the world as uncaring, reckless and ill-informed.” The NYT added, “The document also urges ministers to preach more about the environment and for all Baptists to keep an open mind about considering environmental policy.”
Of course, plenty of Southern Baptist leaders, and evangelical leaders in general, continue to resist and reject the evidence. I’ve always assumed that there were two main reasons for this: 1) if reason and science point in one direction, they’re inclined to go in the other; and 2) they’re politically conservative, and they’ve never felt compelled to break ranks.
But perhaps I underestimated just how far these guys would go to deny reality. By way of my friends at Right Wing Watch, consider this ABC News report on why some evangelicals oppose efforts to address climate change.
The video shows Tony Perkins, head of the Family Research Council, arguing, “A major component of Global Warming is to reduce population because people are seen as part of the problem. And, of course, population control includes abortion. It also includes same-sex relations because they do not cause offspring. ”
The report also noted Perkins believes global warming may produce severe storms and droughts, but that this might be a good thing, theologically: “Where people are told and taught to look inwardly and making sure that they are spiritually prepared to meet the End Times.”
In case there’s any doubt, Perkins did not appear to be kidding.
It’s good to know some right-wing evangelical leaders have become global warming deniers for more earthly reasons.
Southern Baptist Convention leader Richard Land apparently thought he had good reason for refusing to sign a recent statement by fellow Southern Baptists calling for action on global warming. He believes the Earth is getting colder.
On the March 1 broadcast of the radio show “Richard Land Live,” the head of the SBC Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission discussed media reports that average worldwide temperatures over the previous 12 months were cooler than the year before.
“Bad news for ‘Spotted Al’ Gore,” Land said. “The planet is experiencing a cold spell, enough to eliminate the last hundred years of global warming.”
See? Total nonsense without the end times prophecies.
Was that so hard?