The Grass Doctor

Christians only- Alrighty, here goes: Why can't I, as a Christian, also be an?

environmentalist? I've been in church for 15 years. One constant I've noticed in the three churches we've attended is an almost total disregard for the environment and disdain for those who care. Why can't I be both a Christian and environmentally aware? My Christian friends have always good-naturedly ( sometimes to the point of annoying me) mocked and chided me for breastfeeding my kids, buying organic, recycling, not using chemical cleaners, pesticides and poisons in my home or on my lawn etc. How does caring about the Earth ( and my family's health) make me some kind of hippie heathen freak? Where in the Bible does it say God worked so hard creating such a beautiful world - and even rested after - and then created Adam and said, "Okay, get to trashin' it"? Aren't we supposed to be stewards? The only reason I've been able to come up with is, after the rapture, we won't be here anyway- well, what about until then? What about respect for God's creation and concern for our kids? A&S- I mean, as a general attitude, the way I live my life is met with tongue-in-cheek comments, longsuffering rolling of the eyes and pointed comments. I've only met others like me online. I just don't understand the general attitude that a Christian shouldn't waste time with environmental awareness?

Public Comments

1. Yes, we socially-conscious Christians have to rally! I'm with you.
2. There is absolutely nothing wrong with caring about the earth even though you are a Christian............ We should care about the 'future' of God's earth.....after all, He did give us a brain to use. Yes, Jesus could return at any minute - especially with the way the world is anymore - but we still need to look ahead for our children's sake............. God Bless.............
3. Your behavior should be encouraged. Way to go!
4. I have a question...WHO TOLD YOU THAT CHRISTIANS CANT CARE ABOUT THE ENVIROMENT? You could care about the enviroment even when you are a Christian. Did the Bible say anything about not caring about the enviroment? When somebody taunts you, just say "where in the Bible does it say that Christians cant be enviromentalists?
5. I applaud you! You have an excellent moral view on stewardship of this earth. :D
6. What Churches did you attend? I'm Catholic, and the belief we share is that as a Christian you pretty much have to be an environmentalist. I mean murder is wrong because you are killing god's creations. Same applies to the environment. But I also live in northern Oregon and ervironmentalism is a religion here so Churches here may just be more eco-friendly. But yah, the pope reacently declared pollution a sin.
7. God made this earth to replenish itself, yes, we have charge over it and need to be aware but some "environmentalists" take it to extreme, almost, if not utterly, worshiping the planet earth. God provides our needs. I have complete faith in that. Breast feeding has nothing to do with the environment, it is a personal choice and a natural one, the way God intended, if the churches you attend get after you about that, leave them! As for the rest of your efforts, that is fine. The Bible talks about how we judge those in the church. If I came to your house as a guest, I would do as you have faith for, if that is earth friendly, so be it. I do some things earth friendly but I probably don't do half as much as you, that doesn't make me a sinner nor you. Do what you have faith for. Hope this helps. Leave the churches that ridicule you for your life style.
8. I agree with you.
9. You are in the right. The Bible says we are to be good stewarts of our planet. Keep up the good work. If we don't we are not following God's words. We can't be perfect but we must make the effort to take care of our planet.
10. You may want to try a different church. I know the United Church of Canada takes environmentalism seriously, and that many other denominations do also.
11. im not christian but i am very open with religions so i hope you dont mind me answering this.. but your belief in god is what matters your relationship with god is what makes you a christian.. and caring for the world that he created shouldnt really be anything funny to people i mean..your giving back to the earth.
12. I think you need some new friends, and if need be, a new church. You seem to be surrounded by short-sighted, self-absorbed types who have elected you as the comic relief of the group. If their criticism annoys you, say so. If it doesn't stop, I'd suggest finding some real friends instead of the losers you're talking about. God bless.
13. I am not against maintaining the earth, the thing I am against is evolution. I recycle myself and so do members of my church. We use the money we get from recycling to supply the needs of babies so that they are not aborted.
14. Huh. I think it must depend on the denomination of your church. The churches I've attended have always made caring for the earth part of their ministry. Back in the 80s before there was any curbside recycling, they were collecting cans and newspapers at the church every month. (And the Unitarian church still does that in this backward city I moved to where only a private company picks up recycling.) They eliminated disposable dishes at church functions long ago. They celebrate earth day. At some point there was some tree planting going on with the Sunday school class.