Here is the latest update on a controversy involving the National Association of Evangelicals and global warming. Seem some rightward members, including James Dobson whom I respect, have accused the policy director of NAE, Rev. Richard Cizik, who is involved in the campaign against global warming, of “using the global warming controversy to shift the emphasis away from the great moral issues of our time,” which they defined as abortion, homosexuality and teaching children sexual morality and abstinence.
Now as I've said I'm not sure where I stand on global warming, but I do believe that the environment is a legitimate concern for Christians. The implication of what Dr. Dobson and his colleagues are saying, though, to me is that Christians can't attempt to address any other issue than abortion, homosexuality, and sexual morality until they solve those issues. This is patently absurd. There is a wide array of issues that Christians should be addressing and to me it is inexcusable to judge someone for not focusing on the particular issue you have a heart for (unless the issue they are focusing on is wholly illegitimate). We are fighting a culture war on many fronts; just because someone isn't fighting on the main front doesn't mean they aren't supporting the cause. I have heard non-believers criticize Christians for focusing strictly on certain popular issues; now I know where they get this impression. (But despite this deplorable attitude, Christians do focus on other issues.)
This is like saying that because we have a shortage of doctors (I am making this up) that everyone should be a doctor. This is (I hate to say it) a narrow minded view. I think one can see this even if one does not agree that global warming should be emphasized.
Christianity embraces a wide variety of issues that impinge on public policy. Are we to totally ignore all those issues except for the highest priority ones? I'm tempted to ask whether Dr. Dobson believes we should expend effort feeding the poor and clothing the naked and taking care of orphans and widows, or even spreading the gospel. But I suspect he's confining himself to public policy advocacy. (Not, however, that taking care of the poor is unrelated to public policy.) Interestingly he didn't include embryonic stem cell research, unless he includes that under abortion.
Now anyone who reads this blog regularly knows that I am the first at condeming abortion, homosexual practices, and other sexual immorality, and first at promoting abstinence. There is no question I am 100% behind him on those issues, so I'm not dissembling. I just think there are many more than three or four issues Christians need to address in public policy!
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