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Pope Benedict
The Pope blames atheists for global warming. Pope Benedict is claiming atheists are responsible for the destruction of the environment. The Pope made the claims in a recent speech given at the Vatican. The claim is a puzzling attack on atheism that frankly makes little sense.
Excerpt from the Pope's speech:
“Is it not true that inconsiderate use of creation begins where God is marginalized or also where his existence is denied? If the human creature's relationship with the Creator weakens, matter is reduced to egoistic possession, man becomes the ‘final authority,’ and the objective of existence is reduced to a feverish race to possess the most possible.”
The irony is that any historical evaluation places the blame for global warming and the degradation of the planet firmly in the lap of Christians and the Catholic church. The Holy Bible, a book atheists firmly reject for good reason, claims that God gave man dominion over the earth. Christians, including Catholics, took these words to heart. They used those words as carte blanche, a justification for all manners of planetary abuse.
Christianity, and Catholicism, are historically anti-environmental. In fact, if blame is to be placed for the current global environmental crisis, it is to be placed squarely upon the Judeo-Christian tradition. The fact that Christianity is anti-environmental is no secret. Indeed, many Christians have taken a perverse pride in claiming their dominion. For example, James Watt, who became U.S. Secretary of the Interior under Ronald Reagan in the early 1980s, wrote an influential and damning article entitled "Ours Is the Earth". Watt, speaking for countless Christians, made it abundantly clear that for believers the earth is "merely a temporary way station on the road to eternal life...The earth was put here by the Lord for His people to subdue and to use for profitable purposes on their way to the hereafter."
For those of the Judeo-Christian tradition, the earth is, for all intents and purposes, disposable, nothing but a waiting room for eternity. As such the waiting room can be plundered in any fashion. After all, the earth is but a temporary and transient thing of no consequence when compared to the promise of eternity (pie in the sky, yum yum!).
The fact that the Pope would bear false witness should surprise no one. Such is the stuff of most religions. The hypocrisy of the Pope is monstrous. He lives in opulent luxury, surrounded by obscene material wealth, while paying lip service to the poor unwashed masses. Children starve for lack of the most minimal of nutrition, while the Pope parades around in designer shoes. Words fail to describe the obscene perversity of this hypocritical buffoon.
The Pope is not alone is his hypocrisy. It is a hallmark of the successful Christian leader to live in luxury while preaching charity. It is one of the great and ugly ironies of religious life. The Pope is just another religious con man, the pointy hat and funny dress symbolic of criminal decadence and moral corruption.
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Comments
We Christians know that we can do whatever we want to the earth and our Holy God will somehow intervene at the last minute to save us. Also, since we are expecting The Rapture and ending of the world for religious reasons anyway, it really doesn't matter if we create a bit more carbon dioxide first.
We atheists on the other hand respect the views of everyone else and would never jump at an opportunity to mock someone's beliefs. We think it would be silly to point to a few publicity-hungry zealots as examples of an entire demographic.
this comment just proves right all the points mentioned in this article. Christians don't care about the environment because they believe that they're soon going to fly away into space, so global warming won't be their problem for much longer. So the Pope is wrong (yet again). It's not Atheists who are to blame for Global warming. It's Christians.
Jesmond, you're kidding right? "Christian-Minister" is not really a Christian. Read between the lines.
Lol.
This article has nothing to do with Atheists lol The pope is critisising everyone including christians who do not nurture a relationship with God. You are always ready to critisise hehehehe. Funny lot.
The Bush Administration also silenced many scientists working for NASA and NOAA who were going to publish reports validating climate change
Phil: temperature increase precedes CO2 increase. A little study into the empirical evidence on that (vs. the computer modeling that is used to generate catastrophic climate scenarios) shows it to be true. There are some thought-provoking implications here. I suggest you consider them honestly.
My view is that the environmental movement has been hijacked by political institutions, and that it is no longer about the environment anymore but the creation of a new industrial complex.
I am not siding with Bush, I'm just saying don't put too much weight on NASA and NOAA. They're working hand in hand with the IPCC. And as for NASA's surface temperature measurements... the idiotic placement and dwindling number of weather stations is a mockery of science, and I suggest that it cannot produce a reliable record.
The lack of general civilian knowledge about honest science (thanks DOE!) is being used against us by institutional and political interests, capitalizing on the desire many of us have to be good, responsible planetary stewards. It frustrates me to no end.
(Former environmental industry worker)
Once "global warming", now "climate change." Why the title change if we are killing the planet by heating it up due to the disappearance of the ozone layer? As for the author, clearly this is not factual data you're spewing but your own opinions. Pot and kettle = black for the rest of you complaining about the Christians. Thanks for labeling all of us the same as Pope Benedict. Brilliant.
as a catholic i was actually offended by this post. you have successfully dubbed millions of people as anti-environmental by citing the words of a Reaganite official and quoting a manuscript thousands of years old. modern Catholicism does not put the wight of the world on literal scripture references. it is far more liberal in its teaching. that being said, the bible also commands mankind to be "stewards" of the earth and creation. most contemporary catholics understand this to mean guardians, or protectors. i also appreciate your concern for the poor, which is why i am a member of a faith whose official body has done more for the poor and defenseless in the world than any other charitable organization in human history. It would be foolish not to recognize the Church's seedy past, however typecasting an entire faith like this is foolish. and finally, regarding the pope's speech...from just this exerpt its sounds more like a condemnation of greed than of atheism.
Kudos. :)
But isn't the pope's implication that without "god" humans are nothing but selfish consumers? Isn't that a bit of arrogance and hubris? I know MANY atheists, and as a group, we are better educated, more "green" and welcome diversity. So how is that bad for the world?
"i also appreciate your concern for the poor, which is why i am a member of a faith whose official body has done more for the poor and defenseless in the world than any other charitable organization in human history."
And if the Catholic Church hadn't spent upwards of three billion on protecting pedophile priests, it could have done a lot more. Meanwhile, Bill Gates, Warren Buffett and about 30 other billionaires; all atheists, have already given away and pledged more money to help mankind in the past two years than all the churches put together.
I agree, it would be utterly ridiculous to justify your position using 'a manuscript thousands of years old'. Oh wait... ;)
Hear, hear MFO! Thank you for saying it better than I ever could.
as a catholic i was actually offended by this post. you have successfully dubbed millions of people as anti-environmental by citing the words of a Reaganite official and quoting a manuscript thousands of years old. modern Catholicism does not put the wight of the world on literal scripture references. it is far more liberal in its teaching. that being said, the bible also commands mankind to be "stewards" of the earth and creation. most contemporary catholics understand this to mean guardians, or protectors. i also appreciate your concern for the poor, which is why i am a member of a faith whose official body has done more for the poor and defenseless in the world than any other charitable organization in human history. It would be foolish not to recognize the Church's seedy past, however typecasting an entire faith like this is foolish. and finally, regarding the pope's speech...from just this exerpt its sounds more like a condemnation of greed than of atheism.
I fail to see the Popes commentary as one about the enviroment. Where do you possibly get "climate change", or "global warming" in his comments?
I agree with your description of the Pope and his hypocricy on accumulating wealth, but it escapes me how you interpet that to be about the enviroment.
I agree. How was the Pope's statement taken to be referring to global warming?
Benedict XVI has said and done more for the environment then most world leaders in his short time as pope. Energy in the vatican comes from solar panels, the vatican has purchased land to offset it's carbon footprint and the pope travels in a hybrid car. He has spoken with great passion and profundity about our resonsibility to protect and steward the environment. Oh, and the "designer shoes" made and donated by a Roman cobbler (not Prada) symbolize his willingness to shed his own blood on behalf of the faithful...thus the color red.
Sadly you are terribly uninformed and consequently disparage a man and an institution that is devoted to working for the common good. Open your mind...and your heart.
Tell that to all those kids who got raped in the ass by the perv priests and then covered up thanks to Mr. Ratz.
What a stupid and silly interpretation of the pope's comments. Perhaps the writer would have the pope melt down Bernini's Baldacchinno to make plumbing fixtures and grind up the Pieta to make concrete. The sad truth is that he probably believes this nonsense. Moreover, his claim about the content of Catholicism's teaching on the environment is so cliched, biased, and inaccurate as to be laughable. And the reference to James Watt as illustrative of the Christian tradition ..... so preposterous as to make me feel embarassed for him. Poor thing.
Way to go! Just when I was starting to believe in unbiased journalism, again.
I have heard from dozens of devout Christians who explain to me that taking strong action to stop global warming means putting creation first and loving what God had created, not who he is. They reference the biblical mandate that God has given the human race dominion over the earth to use it for our own good. Too bad for the other 100MM species that also count on our planet for life.
Typical religious logic (sic).
the pope sounds like a jerk. IMPEACHMENT
No doubt about it, this ignorant old man needs to be in a psychiatric clinic for evaluation. What does he want? A new Inquisition? Oh boy, bring out those dusty old torture machines. I never cease to be amazed about how man has invented so many gods and then one church mauls the world with the armies and their particular god and lay waste to all men and women who dare to differ ...or to prove that duh, real evolution has taken place.. If one wishes to consider a god particle from 14 billion years ago as the beginning of all creation, fine. But to ignore what wrath the church and its demonic policies have wrought on planet earth is to to be self blinded. Now what would my Neanderthal relatives think of this pampered earthen hedonistic ass? I think they would have language to curse him. And well-deserved.
The Bush Administration also silenced many scientists working for NASA and NOAA who were going to publish reports validating climate change
Why do atheists feel the need to turn atheism into a religion?
Ummm, Like this: "The Lord then gave these further instructions to Moses: 'Tell the people of Israel to keep my Sabbath day, for the Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between me and you forever. It helps you to remember that I am the Lord, who makes you holy. Yes, keep the Sabbath day, for it is holy. Anyone who desecrates it must DIE; anyone who works on that day will be cut off from the community. Work six days only, but the seventh day must be a day of total rest. I repeat: Because the Lord considers it a holy day, anyone who works on the Sabbath must be put to DEATH.' (Exodus 31:12-15 NLT)
Atheists, Agnostics, Humanists, Deists, & Any person of sound logic would just say, 'No Thank You.'
Atheists want to turn atheism into religion? This proves ignorance needs only a short sentence to demonstrate.
If one Bear is dangerous, then all bears must be dangerous.
If one Christian is less than intelligent, then all Christians must be less then intelligent.
Am I approximating your argument accurately?
The false dichotomy is the mark of a poor intellectual argument.
Sounds like the pope has a case of the typical catholic closed minded ignorance!
I attended catholic school for eleven years and was raised catholic and I've been an atheist for several years now and this is a slap in the face.
The catholic church is a big old fat greedy joke.
But all bears ARE Dangerous.
If one Bear is dangerous, then all bears must be dangerous.
If one Christian is less than intelligent, then all Christians must be less then intelligent.
Am I approximating your argument accurately?
The false dichotomy is the mark of a poor intellectual argument.
Black bears and grizzly bears killed 133 people in North America last century, do you have any idea how people christians killed in North America last century. That is unfair to the grizzly bear to compare them to christians. All christians are less intelligent than they would be if they did not believe in fairy tales and stupid superstitions. Christians have Ray Comfort and Philip Gorrido, ignorant and dangerous. "look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better." Albert Einstein said that, he was not a christian, he wasn't a bear either.
This remind me of something that took place in Germany. You know when the Jews where blamed for the failing economy, taking christian jobs, and the decay of the Nation.
Oh WAIT, I forgot Pope Benedict was in Hilter Youth. Same old Nazi Bullshit, except you can't blame the Jews anymore. Blame the Atheist, the new scapegoat.
Talk about taking a statement out of context! But worst - it really surprises me that atheists would be so offened by the statements of a spokesman who claims to represent a deity whom they don't believe in anyway.
The problem here is the pope is real and he does have control over a lot of people
Neither the pope nor his followers can claim to be pro-environment while telling people not to use condoms. Starvation and overpopulation and overuse of the environment go hand in hand. Get off your high horses and admit that encouraging condom use would be a huge help in solving the world's problems.
"But worst - it really surprises me that atheists would be so offened by the statements of a spokesman who claims to represent a deity whom they don't believe in anyway."
and that's surprising how? the guy has over a billion followers and has lots of influence when he speaks. when he misrepresents facts to support his made up agenda from his make believe magic man in the sky, atheists get just as angry as they would if anyone else had said the things the pope says. it's about what he's saying and the power he wields to say it along with the incomprehensible hypocrisy that goes along with what he says-- not about what deity he represents.
Shmoo said it better.
Interesting the pope blames atheists more enivornmental degradation (arguably the group most invested in upkeeping the only world that really exists) when the Catholic church actively promotes unchecked and profilerate human breeding. You want to know how to reduce man's footprint on the enivronment? Put a condom on, use birth control, and visit a family planning clinic. Everything the Catholic Church forbids. They should melt down Vatican gold and buy contraception for every man, woman, and child.
Interesting the pope blames atheists more enivornmental degradation (arguably the group most invested in upkeeping the only world that really exists) when the Catholic church actively promotes unchecked and profilerate human breeding. You want to know how to reduce man's footprint on the enivronment? Put a condom on, use birth control, and visit a family planning clinic. Everything the Catholic Church forbids. They should melt down Vatican gold and buy contraception for every man, woman, and child.
I have to ask: How does anyone, religious or not, get away with such intellectual dishonesty? Because yes, it's us atheists that are trashing the world, burning oil, polluting oceans, dumping toxic waste, fermenting hate and derision between nations stoking the threat of nuclear "rogue nations," etc, etc, etc. It must all be our faults. I'm going to repent and be saved and the world will be all better. (tongue-planted-firmly-in-cheek)
I have to ask: How does anyone, religious or not, get away with such intellectual dishonesty? Because yes, it's us atheists that are trashing the world, burning oil, polluting oceans, dumping toxic waste, fermenting hate and derision between nations stoking the threat of nuclear "rogue nations," etc, etc, etc. It must all be our faults. I'm going to repent and be saved and the world will be all better. (tongue-planted-firmly-in-cheek)
www healthesmoke webatu com
Anyone who has the hubris to claim to be "god's voice/ear on earth" like the pope does is NOT a holy man.the bible in fact would indicate that the catholic church will be the whore of Babylon or false church that leads the world into untold horrors and tribulations.And YES the religious tend to be the worst offenders when it comes to ruining our planet since they all think they will be getting finer accommodations elsewhere in the "afterlife"
I'm a Christian but also well educated in sciences too and I know human life is the best and worst thing to happen to this planet. If people want to save this world we shouldn't be fighting among ourselves but working together.
And a good place to start would by abandoning our delusions.
I cannot disagree that many of the problems in the world are caused by people that claim to be religious, whether it be oppression of people, wasting resources, etc. The fact, however, is that if these so-called "Christians" actually followed the actual tenets of the faith, then none of these problems would exist. People would be treated with respect and the environment would be protected for the following generations.
An approximation of Voltaires maxim comes to mind. Those who believe in absurdities have no problem causing atrocities.
Religion has been doing this since time and memorial.
Ratzinger is just one in a long of idjits who've got a bully pulpit, and has no internal moral compass and thinks (?) he'd got it all figured out.
About "par for the course" with religionists. Just look at the reply from these people to those who think Ratzinger is just a fool in a dress.
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