Al Gore: “Baptist of the Year”
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Wed, January 02, 2008
- Viewed 159
- (34) comments so far
EthicsDaily continues…
In the opening paragraphs of his Nobel Peace Prize lecture, Gore said, “I have a purpose here today. It is a purpose I have tried to serve for many years. I have prayed that God would show me a way to accomplish it.”
With an acknowledgment of Providence, Gore tethered his speech to his moral vision. He quoted the Bible, refused to make God responsible for human inaction, called squarely for an ethic of love for neighbor, confessed human failure and placed moral authority at the tip of the needed plan for planetary redemption. His address was profoundly Christian without being offensively so.
“The earth has a fever. And the fever is rising. The experts have told us it is not a passing affliction that will heal by itself. We asked for a second opinion. And a third. And a fourth. And the consistent conclusion, restated with increasing alarm, is that something basic is wrong,” he said. “We are what is wrong, and we must make it right.”
Gore appraised realistically one of the major obstacles to making things right—the deficit of leadership. Quoting from Winston Churchill about those who ignored the threat of Adolf Hitler, Gore spoke about the character of too many world leaders: “They go on in strange paradox, decided only to be undecided, resolved to be irresolute, adamant for drift, solid for fluidity, all powerful to be impotent.”
Gore has challenged that leadership deficit with a decisive doggedness that surely comes from the depths of the prophetic vision.
Regrettably no Baptist has received less applause from Baptists than Gore, a shameful but not unexpected reality from a people snarled in religious fear, suspicious of science and stuck in the rut of spiritualized reading of the Bible.
“No prophet is accepted in his own country” (Luke 4:24, KJV), remarked Jesus after he issued his moral mission statement in his hometown synagogue in Nazareth (Luke 4:18-19), which concluded with a pro-environmental vision. That vision proclaimed “the year of the Lord’s favor,” a time that protected the land, its livestock and laborers from exhaustion.
You can read more here at EthicsDaily.com...
FOR DISCUSSION: Any thoughts on Al Gore being names the “Baptist of the year”?
Al Gore is EthicsDaily.com's pick as Baptist of the Year for 2007. According to EthicsDaily.com, he "has pressed for the global good with a compelling message about the danger of climate change and a clear call for moral responsibility, knitting together science and faith, reason and passion. He has refused to be distracted by the character-assassins, the fear-mongers, the science-deniers and the merchants of short-term gain. He has remained faithful to his mission of protecting the earth and its inhabitants..."
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Average_Joe on Wed, January 02, 2008
This makes no sense. It’s common knowledge that Baptists are simply another arm of the Republican party. (See the preceding comments for proof.)
Melody on Wed, January 02, 2008
I didn’t even know that Gore self identified as Baptist. That’s a bit of a surprise, in truth.
But in any event, if his environmental activities had anything to do with his religious convictions, I think that he would have mentioned it. He hasn’t. In fact, while my children were in elementary school and Gore was vice president, he was endorsing and sponsoring some decidedly heathen activities such as a earth day activities involving constructing altars to “mother earth.”
The award by an organization with “ethics” in the title is ironic as well, to say the least about it, considering Gore’s considerable financial interest in a carbon credit trading scam for which he stands to profit.
Good stewardship over the environment is a good thing. But it’s not a “christian” activity unless Christ is at least mentioned or given some glory as Creator of the earth.
Dave on Wed, January 02, 2008
I know the thread is about Gore being named “Baptist of the Year” but it has already strayed into the global warming debate, so in response to J Henry Waugh, I thought I’d post this link to a new US Senate report, which lists over 400 prominent scientists who dispute the “consensus.” Interesting stuff. Didn’t seem to get much play in the mainstream media. I wonder why…
http://epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Minority.SenateReport#report
Dave
j henry waugh on Thu, January 03, 2008
All you have to do is look at the names and some of the creative accounting used to bulk up the list. For example, they’ve added pretty much all of the names of Lomborg’s “Copenhagen consensus,” even though most arent’ scientists. Then, there’s the trick of including, say, all the co-authors of the Courtillot article, even though some of them (like Fluteau) certainly would not describe themselves as skeptics. There is Avery, with his “unstoppable global warming” nonsense (and no peer-reviewed scientific publications). There are a few real scientists, like Allegre and Courtillot (’nuff said about that), plus a lot of nonentities whose lack of credentials you can spot just by running their names through Web of Science. If this is the best 400 names that Inhofe can scrape together, then the denialist crowd is really in bad shape.
Some of these are the same names that were on a fraudulent list that went around a few years back that was discredited, and NSF came out and even made a statement of how it did not reflect their views.
Like the tobacco companies for many years that cast doubt, so today, is the debate on climate change — and the mainstream media participates by giving the .01% of dissenters near equal footing…
Charles Ballard on Thu, January 03, 2008
Average_Joe,
I understand your statement about Baptist’s being an arm of the Republican Party. This predominately refers to the Southern Baptist Convention. The bio on Al Gore specifically said Baptist (formerly Southern Baptist). There are as many kinds of Baptists as flavors of Baskin Robbins ice cream. The group he is meeting with in Atlanta is definately to the left of Southern Baptists and the organization Baptist Center for Ethics that bestowed the title on him is definitely to the left of Southern Baptists too.
Jan on Mon, January 07, 2008
I do remember waay back (showing my age here) that Tipper and Al Gore wrote a Christian book together (the 70’s?)
At that time I think they were a bit more conservative then they are now, at least theologically and I read it and agreed with what they said at the time.
Can’t say that I agree with much they say now.
And living in an area where politicians and the “stars” routinely fly in and out in their private jets, I’m not too impressed with how Gore and others live out their stated environmental beliefs.
It’s difficult to take these spokespersons for change seriously when they zip into town in their private jets, and are greeted by ther Hummers, which they drive to their 30,000 square feet vacation home, which is kept heated and ready in case they decide to make a visit, which may only occur once or twice a year. Many of them have their own lakes, water parks, and more in a state struggling with drought. I could go on and on!
I have a lot more respect for someone who lives what they say they believe.
And I guess that’s a good lesson for Christ followers too!
Dennis on Mon, January 07, 2008
Algore a Baptist? Well, Judas was a disciple so I guess he can be a baaaaahhptist. Goats among the sheep, I’d say. From a right-wing SBC conspirator. http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/smile.gif
Bruce Kinabrew on Mon, January 07, 2008
You have to be kidding!
Al Gore is a liar and his message is totally inconsistant with his actions.
He travels around the world leaving carbon footprints while crying out against this kind of evil. For any Christian to honor him for his lies is simply misguided. We should be saving the world with a message of Jesus not being distracted with some populist idea that man creates global warming. It is not proven and some have bought into the idea somehow if we waste valuable dollars trying to correct a phantom cause then we are doing well.
Al Gore does not deserve anything from Christian organizations.
Pastor Joseph on Tue, January 08, 2008
Global warming caused by man is like evolution…nothing but theory, full of holes and can’t be proven. But what I am amazed at is how naive so many are & how quick they are to believe something that is not even proven. What is worse is many Christians who have join the band-wagon & not use any discernment. or show that their trust is in God Almighty who controls the climate. People freaked out in the 70’s also, with so called “facts” from the scientist but time proved them all wrong. People don’t learn, trust in Jesus.
Peter Hamm on Wed, January 09, 2008
Pastor Joseph,
With all due respect, I think you need to check your facts, objectively, from more sources. Should our trust in God Almighty to “control” the weather, as you say it, obviate our responsibility to care for our planet?
Evolution can’t be observed, Climate change can be and is being observed.
Pastor Joseph on Wed, January 09, 2008
Peter,
I hear what you are saying and I have studied both sides thoroughly. Most people only study one side of the view. As a matter of fact I have copied most of these articles on to my microsoft & am ready to make many quotes. My point was, don’t be so quick to believe so called “facts.” Much of it is so decietful but given as fact. Strong evidence is now showing contray. In recent articles, it has been said that the year 2007 was to be the hottest year on record. But it has been the coolest year since 2001. It was John Coleman, founder of the weather chanel writes, “It is science; the science of meteorology. This is my field of life-long expertise. And I am telling you Global Warming is a non-event, a manufactured crisis and a total scam…the sky is not falling.” Writing in the International Journal of Climatology of the Royal Meteorological Society, professor David H. Douglass (of the University of Rochester), professor John R. Christy (of the University of Alabama), Benjamin D. Pearson and professor S. Fred Singer (of the University of Virginia) basically said, the conclusion is that climate change is “unstoppable” and cannot be affected or modified by controlling the emission of greenhouse gases, such as CO2, as is proposed in current legislation. NY Times recently wrote an article titled, “Global Warming Claims Bogus.” They write, “Critics are calling it clear evidence that the climate of opinion on alleged global warming is shifting in favor of skeptics.” It’s all bogus being presented as facts. Even the Web site JunkScience.com has raised its “prize” offering from $100,000 to $125,000 for anyone who can actually supply proof that human emissions of greenhouse gases are causing global warming. They gave Al Gore the challenge also but he and no one else has been able to prove it. In a more recent article it is actually saying global warming has stoped. A researcher at Russia’s oceanology institute says global warming has peaked — and the planet is now headed for a cooling period that will last through the end of the century.
Oleg Sorokhtin is a fellow of the Russian academy of natural sciences. I can go and on but I will remind you, God was in control of the climate in the book of Jonah & Job & He is still in control today. God controls global earth, the galaxies, the stars, the moon & even the climate. It’s simple faith in the God who controls it all.
Peter Hamm on Wed, January 09, 2008
Joseph,
We’re probably getting off track.
But in any case, the conclusions I’ve come to about this are far different than what you have concluded.
Pastor Joseph on Wed, January 09, 2008
Peter,
You are right Peter but I guess time will tell. It’s actually the moral decline of our Country that I am more concerned about. But anyways, God bless and thank you for your words.
Wendi on Wed, January 09, 2008
I’m late to this discussion, but find it interesting and decided to jump in.
Way back on January 3 Melody said:
[Good stewardship over the environment is a good thing. But it’s not a “Christian” activity unless Christ is at least mentioned or given some glory as Creator of the earth.]
I disagree. Good stewardship of God’s creation is most certainly a “Christian activity,” in fact, I believe it’s a Christian responsibility. Shouldn’t it be Christians at the forefront of the conversation about caring responsibly for God’s creation? To me, it is a black mark for us that we are so late to join the “let’s care for the earth” conversation. It’s the same kind of black mark we have for being so late join the discussion about what we must do about the Aids/HIV crisis in Africa (not to hijack the thread, but to make what I think is a reasonable comparison).
Whether or not Al Gore is a Christian, or a Baptist, he using his influence to encourage people to make responsible choices regarding the environment. Isn’t that something all Christians should do? (And I know about his inconsistencies, but I just noticed a log in my eye so decided it would be best to examine my own actions before calling him out on his)
Even if global warming turned out to be a bunch of bunk (which I doubt will happen), should that give us permission to live irresponsibly or abuse the resources we’ve been given to care for? Too many Christians seem (IMO) to be arguing against global warming in order to justify careless behavior.
I live in a region with terrible air. Many people, myself included, have developed respiratory disease, as a direct result of the air we breathe. I’d be much healthier if I didn’t live here.
We don’t create all the bad stuff that goes into our air. We live in a valley and much of it blows in from northern CA and gets stuck in our valley. But no matter who caused it, our bad air is NOT a natural phenomena. Human beings and their activities (individual and corporate) messed up the air we breath, the air God gave us. And there are things we human beings can do to reverse the problem. We could whine about the fact Bay Area residents are sending their bad air to us, or we can buck up and do the hard work to fix it. At the end of the day, if we choose the latter, we’ll be healthier in our own backyard and if global warming turns out to be real, we will have been part of preventing something grave and ominous happening to the world God created. That is something Christians should do.
Wendi
David Walker on Thu, January 10, 2008
Al Gore will soon need to answer to numerous authorities, sooner or later, for the unnecessary, political and financial trist he’s been having with global conglomerates, the Pew Foundation, the UN, the World Bank, carbon credit brokers and other financiers of the greatest contextual fraud in modern human history. I’ve always wanted to watch him callous his hands and ruin his cuticles planting and harvesting potatoes. Looks like I’m gonna get my chance.
He has used his notoriety to push for questionable policies on a questionable issue. Billions to trillions of dollars may be re-distributed for what is at its best, a very large UNKNOWN. It’s not high science, it’s hijinx.
Obviously this website has an agenda to promote leftists views as good religious views. Fact is real Judeo-Christianity and the true left have mostly mutually exclusive ideologies. You should be ashamed.
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