Thank God for the Christian Right, and the fiery fortitude that fuels its furious ferreting out of the ever-wily ways of the enemy.
Guess who God’s new avowed enemy is?
No, not the gays. Pfft. C’mon. The gay issue is so 2010.
Now our heroes in the crusading vanguard of the Christian right have in the focus of their eagle eye the soul-destroying cult of environmentalism.
Recycling is for the damned, brothers and sisters! Fuel-efficient cars are the devil’s work! The only alternative energy that environmentalists will ever know are the fires of hell!
Oh, you question this? Really? So the devil already has you grasped in his slimy green talons, has he? Well, it’s not too late! If you are so shamefully unfamiliar with God’s will that you doubt environmentalism is “one of the greatest threats to society and the church today,” then go right now to the website Resisting the Green Dragon. There you will find the fruits of the labors of “some of the top Christian leaders and scholars in America,” who have selflessly given of themselves, so that you might be able to purchase from them, for the special, 10%-off, pre-order price of only $71.90, the 12-part DVD series, Resisting the Green Dragon, “A Biblical Response to One of the Greatest Deceptions of Our Day.”
Yes, you have to poke around the site quite a while to discover that it’s really only four DVD’s. But it’s twelve half-hour lessons that you can use in your church’s Sunday school classes, adult-education classes, Bible classes, and small group meetings. And it comes with a 30-minute “bonus documentary”! And a book that’s sure to contain a great many complete sentences. If that whole eye-opening package isn’t worth $$71.90 plus shipping and handling, then I’m a monkey’s uncle.
The video below will show you what Resisting the Green Dragon is all about. (Take particular note, during the video’s heart-poundingly frightful opening, of the image of the Soviet sickle and hammer, fleetingly shown at the end of the intoning voice-over’s “… environmentalism is striving to put America, and the world, under its destructive control.” Hit the pause button at 0:09, and the truth will be revealed to you: that’s no hammer inside that sickle! It’s the propeller of a wind-powered electrical generator! Why, if that’s not further proof that Obama is a socialist, I don’t know what is.)
Remember, friends: If you don’t think environmentalists are in a Satanic cult seeking to undermine everything that good Americans hold dear, then you’re just not thinking at all.
![John Shore on The Huffington Post](http://johnshore.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/huffpost.jpg?w=120 "John Shore on The Huffington Post\")
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Hi, guys! Sorry I haven’t been responding to these AWESOME comments today; in truth, I’m a little down today, and so kind of sort of tend to … disengage when I’m feeling like this. But TERRIFIC comments. Funny, smart, insightful, articulate … I love them. Can you believe how STUPID this whole thing is? But it’s cool. No one seems to really be paying these clowns any attention; I don’t think they’re selling these things at all. Most people aren’t THAT stupid. It was a hard piece to write, insofar as it took me awhile to figure out how to play it. I didn’t want to just start wading into it: it’s too much to just start picking apart; I wouldn’t know where to start with inanity of this order. I wasn’t going to do the piece at all—but I do think it’s important to not let stuff like that just sit out there, without knocking it around a little. And I have this kind of abiding idea that the very best way to deal with harmful, arrogant stupidity is to laugh at it. So … that’s the road I took, and then it just flowed out. Anyway. Too much information. Thank you guys, so much, for taking the time to leave these wonderful comments.
((hugs)) sorry you are feeling down.
hay john…check this out. it made me smile.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byRXcyZn7YE
hay john…check this out. it made me smile.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byRXcyZn7YE
You may be right about the fact that the DVD set isn’t selling all that well. When you do an Amazon search about Christianity and the environment, it didn’t even register. You have to be more specific.
Hope you have a much better day today.
“…but I do think it’s important to not let stuff like that just sit out there, without knocking it around a little.”
And thanks for doing so John.
Chris McKesson
CAPTAIN PLANET! He’s our hero! Gonna take pollution down to zero!
Sorry, grew up on that cartoon and sometimes still look up episodes of it on YouTube because I enjoy cheese-covered nostalgia.
I don’t see how caring about nature and being concerned with the fate of the planet makes Jesus cry. I’d think God would want us to care about his creation and stuff, but that’s just me.
I like the font they use on the names, though. A bit fanciful, not for practical, everyday use, but it’s neat looking. I cannot place it off-hand, wonder what the name of it is.
I can’t wait for snl to pick this one up!!! I thought it was a spoof already. But just imagine Tina back as Sarah adding her wisdom to this bunch!!! I think they just mislabeled this post and meant to put it in the Christian humor section. Love the bumper sticker idea! Drive a hummer for Jesus. Or maybe wwjd actually means what would Jesus drive? I’m pretty sure it’s not a hybrid. Hehehe
It *does* remind me of something Stephen Colbert would do on his show.
What would Jesus drive? Well, He was a man of the people. He related on a folksy level. Volkwagen would be my bet. Not quite a Prius, but not a Hummer by a longshot. Besides, Jesus looked like a hippie, so why not a VW Microbus emblazoned with the words, “Jesus Saves…at the gas pump too.”
I think I’ve referred to this blog here before, but again, it makes sense to me. Fr. Andrew S. Damick calls evangelicals to task a bit. There’s a fundamental flaw in any utilitarian view of the Earth; instead, “…creation’s true purpose is to convey divine sanctification, to manifest the divine energies of God. And man’s proper relation to creation is as its priest.”
http://roadsfromemmaus.wordpress.com/2010/06/17/deepwater-horizon-why-evangelical-theology-is-helpless-in-the-face-of-a-catastrophic-oil-spill/
That being said, Penn and Teller’s B.S. has done nice work in pointing out the fear-mongering and political-hijacking of the issue from the “other” side. Recycling, in some cases, does cost more energy than it’s worth. Genetic modification of plant crops, in Norman Borlaug’s work, has saved millions from starvation. And if you hand out a petition to ban “dihydrogen monoxide” due its hazardous chemical nature, plenty of well-meaning folks at the benefit concert will eagerly sign their names.
In some case recycling may still cost more, money wise, but when you think about the amount of plastic that is out there, being unused, each piece representing what used to be oil, the long term benefits may well outweigh the initial cost. When we consider how much garbage is sent to third world nations, left to pile up, creating a toxic environment for the residents there, then I have to wonder if the “higher cost” is such a bad thing after all.
Then you find this. I discovered this little invention in a search for a topic for a site I contribute to. Linking a copy of the article. http://allegro63.wordpress.com/2010/12/27/turning-plastic-back-to-its-original-form/
It’s innovations like that that just may make a difference.
When I read the part about how much the DVD’s cost, I got skeptical and had to go look for myself.
Oh and out of curiosity, I looked up the author of the book. He teaches at a tiny presbyterian college in the huge metropolis of Clinton, SC, population, about 8000. I also find it interesting that a physics professor who focuses on space physics would want to author such a book, and why he would buy into the ideas that these people espouse.
I also don’t have a clue why being good stewards of the planet we find ourselves on is such a satanic idea. I guess those little curly q light bulbs in all my fixtures is a sign that I am a devil worshiper, and my lower then average electric bill, makes me a true daughter of Satan. The recyclables in my shed? Well I’m a priestess
When I read the part about how much the DVD’s cost, I got skeptical and had to go look for myself.
Oh and out of curiosity, I looked up the author of the book. He teaches at a tiny presbyterian college in the huge metropolis of Clinton, SC, population, about 8000. I also find it interesting that a physics professor who focuses on space physics would want to author such a book, and why he would buy into the ideas that these people espouse.
I also don’t have a clue why being good stewards of the planet we find ourselves on is such a satanic idea. I guess those little curly q light bulbs in all my fixtures is a sign that I am a devil worshiper, and my lower then average electric bill, makes me a true daughter of Satan. The recyclables in my shed? Well I’m a priestess
Who is a liar and the father of them? There is little more effective in confirming my apprehension of The Evil One than the politicoreligious right. Good post Mr. Shore; you must be refreshed and rested. Keep shining that Light!
Well…at least they qualified it with “radical” environmentalists.
It makes me even angrier that they think it’s okay for the religious right to ride the corporate bandwagon that effectually ignores the poor and needy, but they condemn the radical environmentalists who put the material world first…effectually doing the same.
Environmentalists get in the way of corporate America raping the earth at will. SOOooooooo…that MUST be satanic!
Raping the earth at will – my family is againist taking care of the earth because Genesis says we’re supposed to have dominion over it. Dominion = raping at will. Also, Liberals are unsaved dirty hippies who like recycling and hate the free market that Jesus invented and is burdened by rules and regulations meant to protect people and the environment and so recycling is santanic. Or something.
sad. i think irrational extremism is bad in any case. it is true that there have been errors, fear tactics, and opinion-based proclamations in both science and Christianity (churchianity?).
aside #1
while i find the ridiculous fear-mongering of this Green Dragon video very sad, i don’t think anyone should in reaction jump on the extreme environmentalist bandwagon because of moronic Christian extremists.
aside #2
bringing your own bags while shopping or driving environment-friendlier cars doesn’t make you an environmentalist. it just makes you someone who’d like to try to take care of their community/planet (or is at least pretending to). going to church or talking about christianity doesn’t make you a Jesus follower; it just means you like to gather with others in a spiritual environment and/or like to discuss the comings and goings of religious folks.
I stand in a garage for an hour every week – therefore, I am a car!
Always liked that theory.
First thought: Holy crap!!!
Second thought: Yes. Yes it is.
Wow, John!
When I asked for your take on this I never expected a fresh, new perspective! Since you’re a practiced writer and this IS during the holidays, I half expected you to merely ‘recycle’ something from the past.
But…holy biodegradables, John – you launched right into this with every bit of the glee we love you for!
Thank you for shining a solar powered light on some more disingenuous cockroaches…
I am not sure what is more amusing… John’s wonderful use of the English language to describe the idiocy of conservatives against environmentalists… the conservatives themselves spouting such nonsense with a straight face or the comments found here. All in all an enjoyable time spent here. I especially love the comment the comments “Driving a Hummer for Jesus” and “Going to Hell in a solar powered hand cart”. Thank you all for the smiles today. I however am refusing to put out my recycling just in case.
OMG…so funny.
I think my favorite is the idea that these Christians are going to talk about “bad science” as if they are suddenly the fearless protectors of “good science.”
I do think we have to be careful about too quickly categorizing the kinds of dufusi who produced “The Green Dragon” with all or even most Christian conservatives. There’s a huge strain of pretty hardcore evangelicals who take very seriously the idea that environmentalism and Biblical ideals are inseparable. That whole group is as radical as any devil-worshipping, America-undermining hippie pinko tree hugger.
True. My ex-boss was both a fundementalist Christian and highly pro-environment. An interesting blend.
True. My ex-boss was both a fundementalist Christian and highly pro-environment. An interesting blend.
We should all know that enviromentalism is EVIL! I mean take the “N” between the E and the V and take “ROMENTA” out between the I an the L and drop the “ISM” and you have that very word! Imean who cares about “Mother Nature” And by Mother Nature I mean Satan! Everyone knows that Satan is really a woman. Pop culture movies show us that! I going to buy this DVD along with W0 million other copies and if I can’t give them to my Friends then I will just throw them away! Because the bigger the Carbon Footprint the more you love God! I mean it’s in the bible next to Hate everyone except people who think just like you!
I’m stunned. I shouldn’t be, but I am. Bollocks!
Though I would rather not much into the theological aspects of environmentalism, I often wonder why conservative Christians view the whole concept of environmentalism with such disdain.
Consider the human population: During the time of the so-called “Founding Fathers” our population was at about 1 billion. By 1959 (the year that I was born), the population had increased to 3 billion. Today the population is at 7 billion. Chalk it up to the Industrial Revolution, I suppose … but it seems like it would give ANYONE pause that the human population of Earth would more than double in less than 50 years! And if I live to a ripe old age, the population is projected to be closing in on NINE BILLION.
Of course, in the best of all possible worlds these are people that will have to be clothed, fed, housed, educated, transported, employed, and have all their medical and sanitary needs met. You think deforestation, energy consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions are bad NOW, imagine what things are going to be like in 30 or 40 years! And yet the impression I get from the Christian Right is, “Hey, NOTHING to worry about, human beings couldn’t POSSIBLY ruin the planet, GOD is in control of everything!” … and presumably GOD will come down and turn down the global thermostat if things start spiralling out of control. And of course GOD is probably deep underground manufacturing limitless supplies of new fossil fuels, so that everyone can have as much energy as they need, FOREVER!
Best editorial cartoon I’ve seen about global warming:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v700/PhatDajuan/NotMyProblem.jpg?t=1244030539
Excellent thoughts, PolishBear. I think the Christian Right’s insistence that all concern for the environment should be avoided is because evangelicals are Hell-bent on bringing about The Rapture. They WANT things to hit critical mass so Jesus can bring them all home.
Nicole – Odd that you should mention that evangelicals have Rapture fantasies. I read an article a couple years ago on Middle East peace. The premise of the article was that the Christian Right is promoting a pro-end times agenda with respect to Middle East relations, and that the goal is to actually bring about Armageddon. In an odd way, this seems to be another twist to that goal. To Polish Bear’s point, world population is doubling at rates faster than resources can sustain. Add climate change to the equation, and is it any doubt that wars will be waged to insure water, food and resources for burgeoning populations?
Silly people. Don’t they realize that God can’t be manipulated like that? Apparently not.
Gee, don’t they think suicide’s a sin? Maybe not so much of it’s brought about roundabout like the Rapture. *Shrug.*
Yeah, I used to read the Left Behind series…
Silly people. Don’t they realize that God can’t be manipulated like that? Apparently not.
Yep, my family lives everyday pouring over the morning newspaper for articles to compare to events in Revelation to convince themselves Jesus will be back by lunchtime. Critical mass? Bring it on!
PB,
I’m thinking that the rapture mentality may be behind this. They are so heavenly minded that they are of no earthly good. They think, “Things are *supposed* to get worse and worse so that Jesus comes back to rescue us. No use in bailing water from a sinking ship.”
There’s too much truth to this cartoon.
Funny, but Ouch!
As I said elsewhere, I have to balance planetary stewardship with the notion that nothing lives forever. I joked as well with my “Earth First! We can F#€K up the other planets later.” That’s not how I feel or believe. Intentional screwage of the planet is an offense to God. When we make mistakes, we should own up and fix it. That is simple responsibility.
A couple years ago, I donated to a door to door member of Environment California, since I am not inclined to poop where I eat. However, I began receiving a slew of emails bashing conservatives and Christian conservatives as the main cause of global warming. The only way to save the planet was to vote for Barack Obama. Seriously?
Hahahhaaaaaa!! DENISE!!! “Drive a Hummer for Jesus!” Waaahahaa, I am laughing so hard!!! Thank you!
This simply reconfirms my suspicion that the American Christian Church has been reduced to a political party that ever so loosely uses the Bible as its policy guide. Is our children learning? Not if they take things like this seriously.
for fuck sake, really? REALLY? this pisses me off. OMFG! the audacity, to say that the environmentalist are killing the poor people? REALLY?
the stupid, the utter hate and lies. they burn.
When I read/see stuff like this nonsense, I can feel my blood pressure rise and the bile collect at the back of my throat. How people like this can sleep at night is beyond me. The only way I can calm myself down is to envision the looks on their pinched little faces when they do arrive at the gates of their “heaven,” only to be denied entry and shamed for their lives of intentional deceit. Then I can breathe again, and get on with my recycling.
Hi Mindy
It is irritating, but intentional deceit may be a bit strong. I think these people actually believe what they say. They are simply ignorant. Like the douchemeisters that perpetuate bogus email spams without first looking at snopes.com. Stupidity is a lot easier to reconcile than some maniacal global deception to grow their 401K. And to correct a minor misconception, wicked sleeps just fine. It hasn’t a conscience to be troubled.
siriuslee,
Intentional deceit is exactly what this is. Some of the sheep in this movement may believe this, but I guarantee Tony Perkins does not- he only knows that it helps raise money for his culture war campaign chest.
Drive a Hummer for Jesus!
hahahaaaa…..seriously
So… they accuse environmentalists of scare-mongering, lying/twisting facts to promote their own agenda, and using said agenda to oppress certain classes of society. Hmm… funny how those exact accusations can also be leveled at far-right “Christian” fundamentalists…
Some religious right groups are their own self-parodying skit. I am convinced the snl writers get their best ideas from watching stuff like this.
OMG, I just now realized this blog is GREEN!! How subliminally evilish is THAT?
Where’s the balance? We are to take care of earth and our fellow man, and worship God only.
Oh crap! I’m going to Hell in a solar powered hand cart. Look out!
I had no idea that, say, bringing my own bags to the grocery store was a deadly attack on the world’s poorest citizens and on the Gospel (and that’s the just beginning, apparently). The bizarre train of thought displayed in this clip does, however, explain some unusual comments I’ve heard from fellow Christians in regards to the stewardship of our beautiful planet. Thanks (?) for sharing this unsettling link.
The really, really sad part of this is that thousands of good people are believing this “Rovian” misdirection, because their Pastor told them it was true.
What inspires this lunacy? The Christian Right sure can be a delusional and hateful bunch.
Holy crap! I’ve unwittingly joined a Satanic cult…oh well…
You have GOT to be kidding!! Omg, I was laughing at the “green dragon” dvd reference… I thought it was a joke!!! Oh, I’m sorry, but it’s time for foots in asses. I’m gonna start using a lot of bowling language in a minute, so I’ll hurry on outta here.
Thanks for this and thanks even more for CRACKING ME UP!!
Hahahahaaa!!! “Recycling is for the damned…!!!” AWESOME!!! Thanks, Shore! (And thanks for keeping the Good Fight, well, GOOD.) Namaste.
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