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Posted on 03/21/2008 9:20:34 AM PDT by Between the Lines
Dr. Frank Page, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, says the secular media has erroneously reported the intent of a document dealing with climate change that he and other prominent denominational leaders endorsed.
One of many high-profile Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) leaders, Dr. Page signed the document entitled, "A Southern Baptist Declaration on the Environment and Climate Change." The dissertation was written by Jonathan Merritt, a student at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and son of a former SBC president. (See earlier article)
The statement challenges the denomination's response to environmental issues, calling them too timid and seen by the outside world as uncaring, reckless, and ill-informed. It urged the denomination to be more proactive in dealing with the issue of climate change.
The declaration also addresses four main issues and states that humans have a responsibility to care for creation and acknowledge their parts in the environmental decline. Stewardship of the earth is required by Christian and denominational beliefs, says Merritt's document, so addressing climate change is a prudent action on their parts. The document encourages individuals, churches, communities and governments to act promptly.
Dr. Page says his signature on the document in no way means he endorses human-induced global warming. "The secular news media unfortunately ... made it seem like it was a document that endorsed the more radical elements of global warming philosophy, which I do not .... In fact, the document said that 'if there is global warming, and if there is a human part of it, then we have to be responsible in our biblical stewardship," Page contends.
In the past, according to Dr. Page, Southern Baptists have been balanced and responsive in calls for environmental care. "God's command [is] that we keep and guard the earth ... and [that] we worship the Creator, not the created. We're not going to get involved with a group of left-wing liberals who have missed the boat. We just say 'let's just take care of the earth that God has given us.'"
Page says he supports the SBC's views on global warming, which passed a resolution dealing with the issue last summer.
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bttt big time!
McCain and Blair discuss Middle East, climate change: spokesman
Global Warming on Free Republic
What the document *actually* says:
Though the claims of science are neither infallible nor unanimous, they are substantial and cannot be dismissed out of hand on either scientific or theological grounds. Therefore, in the face of intense concern and guided by the biblical principle of creation stewardship, we resolve to engage this issue without any further lingering over the basic reality of the problem or our responsibility to address it. Humans must be proactive and take responsibility for our contributions to climate change—however great or small.
In other words, the document embraces the "precautionary principle," an outrageous and evil philosophy responsible for an immense amount of death and misery over the past several decades. It also embraces the Goronic refrain "The Debate is Over" - song number 1 in the ecotard hymnal.
Page needs to read what he signed; it does not line up with what he's saying here at all.
BTTT
After reading the whole article and looking back over Dr. Page’s comments....I get the impression that Page is rather dim and not competent to read or understand anything beyond the Bible...which is probably the only thing he is qualified to talk on....with his divinity degree.
This is the problem with all of these religious types...who have no science background to talk on global warming or stewardship...no political background to chat on supreme court judges....no classes in college to chat on evolution...no real background on economics, yet they enjoy talking about judgments in handling finances.
They should stick to moral judgments and Bible quotes....and mind the store over at the local church.
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