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Greenies Find God Might Be the Answer

Eco lobby partners with the pulpit to get through to Congress

By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 15, 2008 11:56 AM CDT
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(Newser) – How much carbon would Jesus use? Not much, say the religious communities now teaming with environmentalists to lobby Capitol Hill. As a carbon-capping bill approaches the Senate, eco-advocates hope that church partnerships will re-frame the debate, and religious leaders rail against the desecration of divine creation and the suffering of the poor coping with energy costs and food shortages.

Says one prayer leader, “Creator God, have mercy on our wayward world, tottering on the brink of self-destruction.” And He might just be listening: The Vatican added pollution to its list of sins last month, the Post reports, and the Revs Al Sharpton and Pat Robertson created an unlikely alliance to promote green causes. Said one eco-warrior, “If you believe God visits each member of Congress, you might have the most powerful lobbying tool of all.”

The April 14, 2008 issue of Newsweek (on newsstands Monday, April 7), Who's the Greenest of Them All?
The April 14, 2008 issue of Newsweek (on newsstands Monday, April 7), "Who's the Greenest of Them All?"   (AP Photo)
In this photo, released by Reef Relief, Dr. Brian Lapointe, left, and Carol Harwood, right, send a message to U.S. lawmakers.
In this photo, released by Reef Relief, Dr. Brian Lapointe, left, and Carol Harwood, right, send a message to U.S. lawmakers.   (AP Photo/Reef Relief, Craig Quirolo)
In this handout photograph provided by Spectral Q, more than 1,000 students and Washington residents concerned about global warming gather in front of the U.S. Capitol.
In this handout photograph provided by Spectral Q, more than 1,000 students and Washington residents concerned about global warming gather in front of the U.S. Capitol.   (AP Photo/Spectral Q, John Quigley)
The colors of fall are seen on trees that frame the First Congregational Church in South Woodbury, Vt., Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007.
The colors of fall are seen on trees that frame the First Congregational Church in South Woodbury, Vt., Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007.   (AP Photo/Toby Talbot)
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Bill Moyers asks, 'Is God Green?'
PBS

Churches go eco
Newsday

 
Congress • Al Sharpton • Pat Robertson • environmentalism • religion • Vatican • carbon emissions

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