Climate Change and the Church’s Response

Following in the same direction of my previous post. Here is the position of the United Methodist Church on the issue of global warming. During the 2016 General Conference, the United Methodist Church passed a resolution for all clergy and laity to take seriously the stewardship and care of creation and to take climate change seriously.  The resolution can be found here: 

https://www.umcjustice.org/who-we-are/social-principles-and-resolutions/climate-change-and-the-church-s-response-1035  

5 myths about climate change by Katharine Hayhoe

Here is a powerful link shared by the people of WesleyNexus, a United Methodist group working to advance the dialogue and engagement between religion and science. In this link we have Katharine Hayhoe, director of the Climate Science Center at Texas Tech University, published an article nationally distributed that targets the top five myths about climate change propagated by those who deny anthropogenic climate change: 

1. Climate scientists are in it for the money.

2. The climate has changed before. It's just a natural cycle.

3. Climate scientists are split on whether it's real.

4. Climate change won't affect me.

5. It's cold outside — global warming can't be real.

Here response to these beliefs can be found here.  

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-climate-change-five-myths-hayhoe-1209-20181206-story.html 

You've Got to Serve Someone

https://www.bobdylan.com/songs/gotta-serve-somebody/

"White embarrassment"

http://washdw.wpengine.com/pastor-when-white-folks-say-obama-was-an-embarrassment-heres-what-you-say/?fbclid=IwAR35eRHWwt-AhKkCN833GBE2WEitPl-rMBjURNteVycUt-dSK9HY0G_21MU

The Heresey of Christian Nationalism

https://johnpavlovitz.com/2018/02/13/christian-nationalism-heresies/

The Heresey of Christian Nationalism

https://johnpavlovitz.com/2018/02/13/christian-nationalism-heresies/

"White embarrassment"

http://washdw.wpengine.com/pastor-when-white-folks-say-obama-was-an-embarrassment-heres-what-you-say/?fbclid=IwAR35eRHWwt-AhKkCN833GBE2WEitPl-rMBjURNteVycUt-dSK9HY0G_21MU

Are we going to be like the good Germans

https://youtu.be/Z-A76FtooqQ

NCC Weekly News: Report from the Christian Unity Gathering - valentin.castanon@gmail.com - Gmail

Powerful statement from the directors of the National Council of Churches of Christ. Read and share.

The Urgent Need to Lift our Voice in Our Elections

When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice;

but when the wicked rule, the people groan. -Proverbs 29:2 (NRSV)

Scripture compels us to an increasing affirmation of the dignity and value of every human, all of whom share the “image of God.” This reflection includes mutual support and empowerment of each individual and voice. Exercising and defending every person’s right to vote is an essential embodiment of this Scriptural ethic that is shared by Christians and others. As faith leaders, we seek opportunities in the public square to embody and protect this scriptural mandate. We view exercising and defending every person’s right and responsibility to vote as a way of lifting up the full image of God.

As representatives of 38 Christian churches and communions, the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) transcends partisan divides and encourages all candidates to support values that affirm our shared human dignity. In this election season, we call on every member denomination to urge their congregations to vote and to engage in voter education and election protection efforts leading up to November 6th and beyond.

The United States today faces an election of uncommon consequence. Truly, our nation is at a crossroads with decisions being made each day that impact the most vulnerable in our society–those who we are called by God to serve. As a nation and global community, we are at a tipping point on multiple critical issues that will impact our nation and the world for generations to come. Our healthcare and education systems do not provide equal quality for all. Our criminal justice system remains broken and unjust. Human rights and international institutions like the United Nations are being undermined and underfunded while global tensions are on the rise. Human-made climate change must be addressed now before irreparable damage is done to our planet, jeopardizing our shared future.

Facts About Hispanics in the United States: Hispanic Heritage Month

Puerto Rico Student Brigade 2018

Empire Files: Abby Martin Exposes John Podesta

Although, I disagree with some of the comments made in this documentary, I believe that, in general it captures the reality of our two party system. One that is portrayed as the conservative party and the other as the liberal, however, this report shows that they are both about the same thing, making money for corporations. Clearly our traditional two party options are not working for the interest of the people of this land or the world. We need to look for alternatives that look at the interest of the people of the world, and not at lining their pockets with money. Check it out and share.

Exploiting the suffering of inmate families.

Check out @attn’s Tweet: https://twitter.com/attn/status/959100051044818945?s=09

Dr. King's Legacy and Choosing to Participate

Great resource for all of you sharing a history that has been denied to most North Americans (black and white alike), black history. "Facing History and Ourselves" is a nonprofit international educational and professional development organization that seeks to promote engagement and civil discourse for change.  Check it out and share with friends and family. This particular resource is one of the many this organization has made available to the public. Enjoy it!

• Dr. King's Legacy and Choosing to Participate: Students analyze Martin Luther King Jr.'s final speech and consider how they can respond to King's challenge to create a more just world.