{"id":4480,"date":"2024-11-09T08:57:18","date_gmt":"2024-11-09T13:57:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/latestnews\/?p=4480"},"modified":"2024-11-08T11:59:41","modified_gmt":"2024-11-08T16:59:41","slug":"would-you-believe-some-evangelicals-are-going-green","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/latestnews\/2024\/11\/09\/would-you-believe-some-evangelicals-are-going-green\/","title":{"rendered":"Would You Believe Some Evangelicals Are Going Green?"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_4492\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4492\" style=\"width: 724px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4492\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.beliefnet.com\/sites\/452\/2024\/11\/0.jpg\" alt=\"Suggested photo\" width=\"724\" height=\"517\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4492\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">&#8220;Earthrise&#8221; is an iconic image that underscores the vastness of space, the loneliness of the cosmos and the fragility of our home planet. Astronaut William Anders took the photo while orbiting the moon as part of Apollo 8&#8217;s moon mission in 1968. (Photo courtesy of NASA).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><strong>Ways Environmental Evangelicals Are Making a Difference&#8230;<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The biblical creation story says God created the heavens and the earth and all living things in six days and then gave humans responsibility for protecting our earthly home. Christians are divided over whether the story is literally true or not, but there is one issue some believe shouldn\u2019t divide us: the environment. It\u2019s in crisis, and it\u2019s reached the point that\u00a0 some evangelicals are going green.<\/p>\n<p>This statement isn\u2019t meant to be condescending, though it may sound that way. It\u2019s meant to point out that evangelicals and other conservative Christians haven\u2019t historically supported efforts to protect the environment \u2013 but that situation is changing.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Some Evangelicals Are Going Green<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Many conservative Christians argue that environmentalism is leading the nation toward neo-pagan nature worship, while others think we are entering the end times, which makes worrying about the environment pointless, according to the <em>Bulletin of Atomic Scientists <\/em>and others.<\/p>\n<p>Despite these arguments, some evangelicals and other conservatives are beginning to change their thinking and are supporting organizations such as the Evangelical Environmental <a href=\"https:\/\/creationcare.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Network<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/greenfaith.org\/about-us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GreenFaith<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s what you should know about it\u2026.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>The Evangelical Environmental Network&#8217;s Work<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>One group is the non-profit Evangelical Environmental Network (<a href=\"https:\/\/creationcare.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">EEN)<\/a>, which was founded in 1993 and is based on the belief that God\u2019s people have a responsibility to \u201ctend the garden.\u201d To that end, it:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Educates individual people, families and churches about environmental issues<\/li>\n<li>Mobilizes evangelicals on environmental issues and climate action<\/li>\n<li>Advocates policies that protect the environment<\/li>\n<li>Offers programs that champion climate legislation<\/li>\n<li>Produces environmental materials to equip people and churches with environmental facts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Climate action is of particular interest to EEN. The ministry emphasizes Christian responsibility for taking care of all God\u2019s creations \u201cby preventing harmful activities, including those that contribute to climate change,\u201d according to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences,\u00a0a non-partisan research organization.<\/p>\n<p>EEN also posts blogs, daily devotionals and other materials \u201cto help Christians understand our connection to the environment.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3><strong>GreenFaith&#8217;s Mission<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Another Christian non-profit that\u2019s dedicated to protecting the planet is GreenFaith. The organization, though not specifically evangelical, includes evangelicals such as environmental activist William Morris, who \u201cchallenges the often misinterpreted concept of having \u2018dominion\u2019 over the Earth.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Besides serving as a faith organizer in GreenFaith, Morris is chair of Young Evangelicals for Climate Action.<\/p>\n<p>He believes many evangelicals have a \u201cnarrow understanding of Scripture (that) has contributed to a toxic environment, particularly in the Western world.\u201d He underscores God\u2019s intention for all creation to flourish and pushes back \u201cagainst the destructive path humanity has chosen that unfortunately hurts our planet.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Learn more from Morris\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=FiwTgqI8m-s\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here.<\/a><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Grassroots Efforts<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>GreenFaith was founded in 1992 by an Episcopal priest, the Rev. Dr. Franklin E. Vilas, and other Christian and Jewish leaders in New Jersey. Initially, the organization focused on environmental stewardship, financing, legislation to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, and solar power. But it does much more today.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe most vulnerable among us \u2013 who\u2019ve done nothing to create the climate crisis \u2013 and the planet are suffering. Governments, extractive industries, and financial institutions continue to destroy the fabric of life,\u201d GreenFaith noted.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAround the globe, local GreenFaith members and Circles are rising together to end the era of extraction and exploitation and to create bold transformation.\u201d GreenFaith Circles are groups of people involved in grassroots efforts to protect planet Earth. More than 100 circles exist in Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and North America, GreenFaith said.<\/p>\n<p>The organization opposes fossil fuel projects and financing, supports renewable energy and promotes \u201cgreen\u201d jobs that help people avoid poverty.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn the face of the climate crisis, our local GreenFaith Circle aims to bring together people of faith and goodwill to seek a just and sustainable future for our sacred planet,\u201d the organization said. \u201cWe are a part of a global network of people of faith and goodwill working to stop climate change now.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>GreenFaith believes the earth and its inhabitants are \u201csacred and at risk.\u201d Consequently, it is \u201cbuilding a worldwide, multi-faith climate and environmental movement,\u201d the group explains. \u201cWe envision a world transformed, in which humanity in all its diversity has developed a shared reverence for life on Earth\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>And it isn\u2019t timid about its activism. It recently played a major role in organizing the Summer of Heat campaign, held July 28-Aug. 3, which called on Citibank to stop financing fossil fuel projects. The company is the second largest provider of funds for coal, oil and gas projects worldwide, according to the <em>Washington Post.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3><strong>\u2018We Come with a Message\u2019<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>More than 40 protests were organized through the campaign. During one demonstration, approximately two dozen faith leaders and their supporters were arrested when they chained themselves to the front doors of Citibank\u2019s New York headquarters, according to news reports.<\/p>\n<p>While Christians played an important role in the protests, they weren\u2019t alone, as Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, indigenous people and others joined them. Following the protests, Citibank\u2019s chief sustainability officer met with four religious environmental activists to discuss the company\u2019s history of financially supporting fossil fuel projects.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe come to give a message to Citibank. Repent. Change your ways,\u201d said the Rev. Jeff Courter, a Presbyterian pastor and leader of the GreenFaith NYC Circle. \u201cCreation bears witness to the devastation caused by fossil fuels \u2013 typhoons and floods, wildfires, and droughts, and the poorest suffer the most. It\u2019s time to put people before profits.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>GreenFaith also organized a non-partisan voter turnout campaign this fall that encouraged houses of worship to send postcards to potential voters. In addition, it invited and trained congregations to staff get-out-the-vote phone banks in September and October.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Other Environmental Activists<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Faith-related environmental activist groups also include the following:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Target Earth<\/strong> is composed of individuals, churches, college fellowships and other ministries in 15 countries. It focuses on being \u201cstewards over everything God created,\u201d according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.learnreligions.com\/christian-environmental-organizations-4590157\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Learn Religions<\/em>.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The group describes its mission as \u201cServing the Earth, Serving the Poor\u201d by saving endangered animals, rebuilding forests and otherwise building a sustainable future, the organization said.<\/p>\n<p>Target Earth \u201coffers internships and short-term team efforts to go into the field and make a difference.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Eco-Justice Ministries <\/strong>helps churches develop ministries that \u201cwork toward social justice and environmental sustainability,\u201d Learn Religions explained. It provides links to environmental events, produces newsletters and provides churches with information about environmental public policy.<\/p>\n<p><strong>A Rocha Trust <\/strong>is a \u201cChristian nature conservation organization that does work around the world in a cross-cultural manner,\u201d according to <em>Learn Religions<\/em>. It has five core commitments:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Christianity<\/li>\n<li>Conservation<\/li>\n<li>Community<\/li>\n<li>Cross-cultures<\/li>\n<li>Cooperation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The group seeks \u201cto use God\u2019s love to promote scientific research, environmental education, and community-based conservation projects.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>National Religions Partnership for the Environment <\/strong>consists of independent faith groups such as the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the National Council of Churches USA. It\u2019s dedicated to training leaders and educating others on public policy related to the environment.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe organization is founded on the idea that if we are called to love our Creator, then we must also love what He created,\u201d <em>Learn Religions <\/em>said.<\/p>\n<p><strong>American Scientific Affiliation <\/strong>scientists no longer \u201csee a line in the sand between science and God\u2019s word.\u201d The group investigates any area that relates to the Christian faith and science and publicizes its findings.<\/p>\n<p>It also \u201cfocuses on environmental science in which many papers, discussions, and educational materials are presented from an Evangelical perspective\u2026.\u201d <em>Learn Religions <\/em>noted.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Parting Thoughts<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>These examples of evangelicals going green are important. With more than two billion members, the Christian faith is the largest religion in the world, and evangelicals are a major group within it. Consequently, the support of evangelicals and other conservative Christians on environmental protection is critical to future success.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ways Environmental Evangelicals Are Making a Difference&#8230; The biblical creation story says God created the heavens and the earth and all living things in six days and then gave humans responsibility for protecting our earthly home. Christians are divided over whether the story is literally true or not, but there is one issue some believe&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":689,"featured_media":4492,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fbia_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[1345,1342,1339,1348],"class_list":["post-4480","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-environmental-evangelical-organizations","tag-evangelicals-and-the-environment","tag-evangelicals-going-green","tag-evangelicals-saving-the-environment"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Would You Believe Some Evangelicals Are Going Green?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"There is one issue that shouldn\u2019t divide Christians: the environment. 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New stories updated daily from a Christian perspective.","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/latestnews\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/latestnews\/#\/schema\/person\/577a2d1deda468588785cdff5af64cd7","name":"Ginny Baxter","description":"Ginny Baxter is a former journalist and public relations professional whose passion is writing. A graduate of Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama, Ginny majored in English with a focus on journalism. She later studied public relations at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. She comes from a Christian family and has been an active church member since childhood. 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