Should we get on board with the "green movement"?

[StGerardMajella]

My only input to this question would be the following:

First, the idea or concept behind preserving the environment makes sense theologically, and from a practical point of view.

The root of the challenge is when the preservation of the environment takes precedence over humanity. Read the book, Green Rage, which discusses the radical environmental movement and its errant philosophy of Mother Earth taking precedence over humanity.

The second root of the challenge with the modern environmental movement is that it will be used politically by world governing bodies to micro-manage property rights. There is an extremist political agenda behind the environmental movement, and there are many powerful families in support of this movement. There is a lot of fear-mongering and radicalism in the environmental movement.

[Charbeau]

I believe the root of most environmental issues is mindless consumerism. If we could get our shopping and consumption under control, the environment would benefit greatly. I am not a Catholic yet, however, I cannot see how the two would not be inclusive. Didn't God put humans in a powerful position over all the other living beings on earth? Isn't it our responsibility to care and protect what God gave us to keep us alive and healthy?

There are huge social justice issues associated with the green movement as well. Issues like water privatization and paying workers a fair and livable wage (for instance, very cheap goods that Americans love to buy at Wal-Mart are generally made by poor people who barely eke out a survivable existence) . I'm really not sure how someone could be an ardent practicing Catholic and not support the environmental movement.

[bpbasilphx]

**This cow is producing more tender beef? Have it mate with the cow that has a lot of kids. **

It must require GREAT and UNPRECEDENTED genetic modification for two cows (females) to produce any number of kids (young goats).\\

[rinnie]

I think that we should if we really knew what was true and what is really lies. I agree we need to quit wasting and watch more carefully. But you hear so much what is really the truth?

[chewchoo]

there are different levels of environmentalism and we have to be careful not to group them all together. some are good and some are bad.

good - being good stewards of the earth. recycle, conserve, use only what you need, don't pollute, preserve natural habitats, don't over manipulate nature, etc. etc.

bad - preserving nature to the point where humans are considered bad for the environment, prohitbiting human expansion in an area because there is a swamp that is the ONLY habitat for a particular species of fly, declaring a species endangered because computer models are saying that such and such will change drastically in the next 100 years or so, even tho the species is currently experiencing a population growth. outlawing animal testing even tho it will help solve human medical problems. outlawing coal burning power plants even tho most have scrubbers and emit very cleaned up exhaust. and on and on.

yes, there are always going to be people who litter and don't care about the environment on a personal level, but the green movement is trying to strangle society.

i'm all for reduce, recycle, reuse.

i am not for a green movement that thinks humans should be exterminated from the earth.

[po18guy]

Originally Posted by Charbeau

I believe the root of most environmental issues is mindless consumerism. If we could get our shopping and consumption under control, the environment would benefit greatly. I am not a Catholic yet, however, I cannot see how the two would not be inclusive. Didn't God put humans in a powerful position over all the other living beings on earth? Isn't it our responsibility to care and protect what God gave us to keep us alive and healthy?

There are huge social justice issues associated with the green movement as well. Issues like water privatization and paying workers a fair and livable wage (for instance, very cheap goods that Americans love to buy at Wal-Mart are generally made by poor people who barely eke out a survivable existence) . I'm really not sure how someone could be an ardent practicing Catholic and not support the environmental movement.

I would prefer that we be environmentalists, rather than ally ourselves with any movement. Look behind those organizations, to the source of their money, and the picture may not be so rosy. They always seem to lend themselves to more governmental power and less freedom. They can support population control through contraception, abortion and euthanasia. Rather, let us as faithful Catholics change the demand for products that are more environmentally responsible.

Again, the environmental movement can worship creation while denying the Creator. That we must avoid at all costs, while remaining good stewards of Creation.

Christ's peace.

[po18guy]

Originally Posted by chewchoo

there are different levels of environmentalism and we have to be careful not to group them all together. some are good and some are bad.

good - being good stewards of the earth. recycle, conserve, use only what you need, don't pollute, preserve natural habitats, don't over manipulate nature, etc. etc.

bad - preserving nature to the point where humans are considered bad for the environment, prohitbiting human expansion in an area because there is a swamp that is the ONLY habitat for a particular species of fly, declaring a species endangered because computer models are saying that such and such will change drastically in the next 100 years or so, even tho the species is currently experiencing a population growth. outlawing animal testing even tho it will help solve human medical problems. outlawing coal burning power plants even tho most have scrubbers and emit very cleaned up exhaust. and on and on.

yes, there are always going to be people who litter and don't care about the environment on a personal level, but the green movement is trying to strangle society.

i'm all for reduce, recycle, reuse.

i am not for a green movement that thinks humans should be exterminated from the earth.

Amen! Catholic Conservationists, perhaps?

[Cardinalsong]

Originally Posted by chewchoo

there are different levels of environmentalism and we have to be careful not to group them all together. some are good and some are bad.

good - being good stewards of the earth. recycle, conserve, use only what you need, don't pollute, preserve natural habitats, don't over manipulate nature, etc. etc.

bad - preserving nature to the point where humans are considered bad for the environment, prohitbiting human expansion in an area because there is a swamp that is the ONLY habitat for a particular species of fly, declaring a species endangered because computer models are saying that such and such will change drastically in the next 100 years or so, even tho the species is currently experiencing a population growth. outlawing animal testing even tho it will help solve human medical problems. outlawing coal burning power plants even tho most have scrubbers and emit very cleaned up exhaust. and on and on.

yes, there are always going to be people who litter and don't care about the environment on a personal level, but the green movement is trying to strangle society.

i'm all for reduce, recycle, reuse.

i am not for a green movement that thinks humans should be exterminated from the earth.

I second that! That's the best answer I've read so far and agree with you wholeheartedly!

[chewchoo]

Originally Posted by po18guy

Amen! Catholic Conservationists, perhaps?

Originally Posted by Cardinalsong

I second that! That's the best answer I've read so far and agree with you wholeheartedly!

[SacredHeartFan]

As long as it does not go overboard yes.
They have a group that is trying to stop the grand canyon from eroding. That's overboard. It's inevitable and it has been happing for millions of years. now correcting man-made mistakes like melting the polar ice caps, the destruction of the louisiana coast and wetlands, the deteriation of the everglades, yes those are the issues that we need to adress.

[Scottgun]

Fortunately, one of the benefits of our upcoming economic chastisement may be the shrivelling of the stupider examples of environmentalism.

Exhibit A: Captain Planet on Population control:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPQUpVuLwI0

For a current and recent example (Really creepy!):

http://www.abc.net.au/science/planet...house_calc.htm

[SacredHeartFan]

Originally Posted by Scottgun

Fortunately, one of the benefits of our upcoming economic chastisement may be the shrivelling of the stupider examples of environmentalism.

Exhibit A: Captain Planet on Population control:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPQUpVuLwI0

For a current and recent example (Really creepy!):

http://www.abc.net.au/science/planet...house_calc.htm

that was a very disturbing cartoon......

[Charbeau]

Originally Posted by po18guy

I would prefer that we be environmentalists, rather than ally ourselves with any movement. Look behind those organizations, to the source of their money, and the picture may not be so rosy. They always seem to lend themselves to more governmental power and less freedom. They can support population control through contraception, abortion and euthanasia. Rather, let us as faithful Catholics change the demand for products that are more environmentally responsible.

Again, the environmental movement can worship creation while denying the Creator. That we must avoid at all costs, while remaining good stewards of Creation.

Christ's peace.

I'm not sure why you mentioned specific groups because I did not list an affiliation with any group. I mentioned two aspects of the green movement and how I think the average person can contribute without environmentalism becoming their "religion". Simply making mindful purchases and being aware of the social justice issues surrounding mass consumption would do a world of good.

If everyone realized the true cost of their cheap goods, they probably wouldn't be so gung ho to purchase them and be so thrilled with their bargains. There is a long line of steps before the product hits the big chain store's shelves. And the more packaging, the more miles traveled, the greater the environmental impact. That was my entire point.

[po18guy]

Originally Posted by Charbeau

I'm not sure why you mentioned specific groups because I did not list an affiliation with any group. I mentioned two aspects of the green movement and how I think the average person can contribute without environmentalism becoming their "religion". Simply making mindful purchases and being aware of the social justice issues surrounding mass consumption would do a world of good.

"Movement" is the word I keyed in on. Individually, yes we should - we must at some point. I distrust the established organizations, as GreenPeace seems to have abortion hidden in their agenda. Other organizations are even worse. It's the organizations that I avoid.

If everyone realized the true cost of their cheap goods, they probably wouldn't be so gung ho to purchase them and be so thrilled with their bargains. There is a long line of steps before the product hits the big chain store's shelves. And the more packaging, the more miles traveled, the greater the environmental impact. That was my entire point.

The only possible saving grace of the cheap, Chinese goods is that increased "outside world" penetration into China will lead to increased evangelization. Their nation is the world's largest polluter, and millions work under conditions that that are shocking. Why do they risk death in shipping containers to get here?

[rinnie]

You know you look at solar energy. That would be great! But who could afford it. Why would our goverment not make it easy for us to have access to this, and be able to afford it? Because 4 bucks a gallon for oil to heat our homes is making alot of people rich thats why. High energy saving furnaces, now what okay lets up electric now too.