Hallelujah! Evangelical Christian Leaders Sign On to Fight Global Warming

Eighty-six evangelical Christian leaders are backing an ”Evangelical Climate Initiative” to stop global warming through a series of television and radio ads, and educational programs at churches and Christian colleges. And they’re taking that stand despite opposition from some of their high-profile colleagues.
_{Photo courtesy of Dave Wicks}

A statement signed by the religious leaders who support the initiative says “millions of people could die in this century because of climate change, most of them our poorest global neighbors."

Even so, many of the evangelical Christian leaders struggled with the decision to take a public stand against practices that contribute to climate change, partly because of confusion over the urgency or reality of the problem.

"For most of us, until recently this has not been treated as a pressing issue or major priority," the statement says. "Indeed, many of us have required considerable convincing before becoming persuaded that climate change is a real problem and that it ought to matter to us as Christians. But now we have seen and heard enough."

The statement cites the growing body of scientific evidence that points to human activities as the principal cause of climate change and the damage that are anticipated if the global temperature continues to rise. Ultimately, it was a combination of faith and science that motivated the evangelical leaders to take action.

“Love of God, love of neighbor, and the demands of stewardship are more than enough reason for evangelical Christians to respond to the climate change problem with moral passion and concrete action.,” the statement says.

Those signing the statement and backing the initiative include the presidents of 39 evangelical colleges, leaders of churches and aid groups such as the Salvation Army, and a few evangelical superstars, such as Rick Warren, author of the best-selling book, "The Purpose-Driven Life."

Those opposed also include some high-profile evangelical leaders, such as Charles W. Colson, the founder of Prison Fellowship Ministries; James C. Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family; and Richard Land, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Twenty-two of these evangelical heavyweights who oppose the initiative signed a letter in January that said, "Global warming is not a consensus issue." The letter was addressed to the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE), a group of churches and ministries, which last year was urging its 30 million members to pursue a “biblically balanced agenda” to protect the environment along with other key issues such as fighting poverty.

The letter asked the NAE not to issue any statement on global warming or to allow its officers or staff members to take a position—and that’s exactly what happened.

For More Information:

Evangelical Leaders Join Global Warming Initiative -- The New York Times

For God’s Sake: Religious Organizations Preach Environmental Stewardship

Evangelicals Will Not Take Stand on Global Warming -- Washington Post