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Relax, God Vowed Not to Destroy Earth: Would-Be Energy Chair

In climate change debate, Shimkus points to God's promise to Noah

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 10, 2010 2:50 AM CST | Updated Nov 10, 2010 4:00 AM CST

(Newser) – A leading contender to chair the House Energy Committee has plucked his position on climate change straight from the pages of Genesis. People shouldn't worry about the planet being destroyed, Rep. John Shimkus testified last year, because God promised Noah after the flood that he wouldn't destroy the planet again. "As long as the earth endures, seed time and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, will never cease," the Illinois Republican said confidently, quoting Chapter 8, Verse 22 of Genesis.

"I believe that is the infallible word of God, and that's the way it is going to be for his creation," Shimkus continued. "The earth will end only when God declares its time to be over. Man will not destroy this earth. This earth will not be destroyed by a flood." Shimkus, who has served on the committee since 1997, will likely be competing against Texas Rep. Joe Barton and Michigan Rep. Fred Upton for the leadership, Politico notes.

Shimkus has sent a letter to GOP lawmakers saying his experience makes him "uniquely qualified among a group of talented contenders to lead the Energy and Commerce Committee." (AP Photo/Harry Hamburg)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 35 comments

R. A. Whipple

Nov 10, 2010 1:44 PM CST

I will see your Old Testament, Shimkus, and raise you up a new Gospel, Matthew 22: 23-24! "for then there will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world's beginning until now, no, nor will occur again. In fact, unless those days were cut short, no flesh would be saved..." It goes on to mention Shimkus and his ilk by name. Read your Bible folks. This is the prophesy foretelling Armageddon, and it is the justification for Jesus to directly step in and sort these guys out on a global scale: horror movie style. Shimkus suggests this destruction of the earth is all one-ness according to God's plan, as if we're too stupid or too guilty to actually see the amount of FAIL. I do not mind being a bad manager myself, if that's my lifestyle choice, but please don't piss down my boots and tell me it's raining. I am too intellectually honest for it. This prophet Shimkus is the same guy that will walk past you while you lay bleeding on a Samarian street and tell you it is your fault for having been robbed. Makes me sick. God gave us brains. If we do not collectively use them, that is not His fault. And I don't think He'll buy the Shimkus’ argument either. The planet can stay but Humans may have to leave. Enough with the heated flatulence posing as a voice of authority.

fractal

Nov 10, 2010 12:41 PM CST

Is this some kind of excuse for trashing the planet? God is going to pick up our dirty undies for us, so we can be a slob! Sounds to me like God must be a woman....

newsrmandan

Nov 10, 2010 12:31 PM CST

Its hard to find one post that is kind towards those who believe the bible is the word of God. You seek to suppress the truth while using the mind He gave you to do so, Irony at its best.

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Relax, God Vowed Not to Destroy Earth: Would-Be Energy Chair

In climate change debate, Shimkus points to God's promise to Noah

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