So what’s the deal with evangelicals and global warming? Many evangelicals, for the most part have expressed minimal concern about the impending dangers we will face as a result of global warming. In fact only about 33% of evangelicals view global warming as a "major" problem facing the country. This should, however, come as no surprise to anyone. What else could we possible except of people who take a literal interpretation of the bible? Especially when it tells you that there is a great omnipresence in the sky that controls everything from human death to the weather. In fact it would be almost pointless for them to believe us mere humans could do anything to change the weather patterns, be it for better or worse.

In line with this evangelicals have held steady to their beliefs even after big bad science tried to come along with all of their fancy objective measurements and methodologically sound computer models demonstrating the direct effects of human active and temperature change. Christians’ sticking to their guns dismissed these claims deciding to focus their attention on much greater threats to this nation such as gay marriage. Leaving once again the fate of the world in the hands of a magical Jewish zombie and wishful thinking. And for a while this seemed to work really well for the evangelicals. The tides, however, have suddenly changed and Christians’ are now singing a different tune.

Across the nation Christian leaders are coming to together to preach about the dangers of global warming. They have even put together a series of TV ads describing the dangers of global warming and how god needs us to help out (see below). Which makes total sense right because the great and almighty God can create the universe in 7 days but needs our help with global warming. So why then are Christians all of a sudden changing their minds? Did God herself come down and show them the light. That must be it because it is not like Christians to all of sudden cherry pick ideas from their religion to benefit themselves. Oh wait that is exactly what Christian’s do and this time it political. Before I write anything else let me be clear that I am not talking about the sheep of Christianity or the people who blindly follow their faith without regard to the motives of those who preach the word of god or the ability to critically think. I am speaking about the wolves that prey upon the week minded followers.

It is the wolves that have decided that global warming concerns have reached a critical point where it is no longer in their best interest to dismiss it. Not because they are concerned about the state of the planet but because their trying to gain face value in a nation that is radically shifting view points. It’s much easier to get more followers and thus political leverage when you’re not dismissing everything that is not directly mentioned in the bible. Despite my utter annoyance of born again idiots I am actually somewhat relieved to know that their crazed views of the world does have its limitations, that they are capable of evolving their viewpoints to better fit with the current environment. Granted the alternative to that would be for them to remain the same and to slowly go the way of the dinosaur and believe me I am perfectly happy with that too.

One other point I will make before I finish and this has to do with a debate Michael and I have had over this issue. Another reason evangelicals in the past have expressed little concern over climate change has to do with the end of days. Recent natural disasters attributed to global warming have been viewed as signs of the coming of days. So Mike and I wondered what was going to happen when conditions on earth worsen. Would religious extremists give up their beliefs and try to help save humanity or would they sit back and rejoice in their coming salvation? I argued that self-preservation would trump religious indoctrination for many people. Especially those who stand to lose a lot such as parents. Mike argued that indoctrination would be stronger for the majority and even the end of humanity would do little to change that. What both of us failed to account for was the people in charge of the sheep don’t really believe in the end of days they believe in money and power and will do what is necessary to keep both.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeFZx3nD8GY

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