Fracking Threatens God's Glorious Creation

[naomi24]

The Church of England has told parishioners that fracking causes environmental problems and urges believers to consider their Christian duty to act as "stewards of the earth".

Do Christians have a duty to act as 'stewards of the earth', or is that a responsibility that is incumbent upon us all?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10240773/Fracking-threatens-Gods-glorious-creation.html

[Octavius]

"This concept of stewardship dates from the beginning of time, when God entrusted the earth to Adam and Eve and their offspring (cf. Gen. 1:26-28). All men are stewards of the earth's resources (cf. Catechism, no. 2402)."

Of course, it is incumbent upon us all.

[naomi24]

Exactly. So not a Christian duty.

[Octavius]

"All men are stewards of the earth's resources" as I said, all encompassing.

I presume in the article the Church is just talking to its audience, but the message is for everyone who'll listen.

[Spoonboy]

A fracking good question!

[naomi24]

I’ve no doubt the message is well intentioned, but it does come across as quite arrogant. Rather than specifically charging Christians and 'believers' to act as stewards of the earth, perhaps they should have said human beings.

[Octavius]

Yes, true. The people of East Sussex must have felt the same when a Green Party member only called upon the people of West Sussex to make a stand together against fracking.

[doctordb]

I wonder if the church checked first to see if they had any shares in the fracking company or if the land belongs to their vast portfolio.

[naomi24]

Ha ha! Good point doctordb.

[frugalfred]

All Gas and Gaiters?

[mikey4444]

I think that perhaps the C of E should stick to explaining to people how all the illogical and irrational things that are in the Bible actually happened, rather than stray into areas that it quite clearly doesn't understand.

[AB Editor]

Hi Naomi,

I don't see what your problem is. The message is well meaning and, unsurprisingly, they're talking to the people that will listen to them. If they directed their message to you you'd be unlikely to listen (or, I imagine, you might be grumpy about their presumption to be able to lecture you).

Mikey, I imagine that the CoE would consider almost anything within their remit.

[Octavius]

mikey, I think they may understand it better than you give credit.

http://www.blackburn.anglican.org/more_info.asp?current_id=469

http://www.blackburn.anglican.org/images/Hot%20potato%20in%20a%20Lancashire%20Cabbage%20field%20%20Fracking%20update%202013-7-8.pdf

[naomi24]

Ed, I don’t have a problem. This is simply an observation – and a topic for discussion – and you imagine wrong. Caring for the environment is of great importance to me – and I welcome anything from anyone who supports that view. However, from that directive, one could be forgiven for gaining the impression that Christians alone bear the responsibility – and they don’t. Had it been aimed at a wider audience, other people may have listened – even me.

[Octavius]

I thought you didn't like the church having any impact on public life?

They can't win either way really can they.

[naomi24]

Octavius, I don’t believe the church should influence our laws, and I don’t believe that anyone’s religious beliefs should impact upon other people - but I’m happy for anyone to protect the planet - not just Christians.

[Octavius]

"Caring for the environment is of great importance to me – and I welcome anything from anyone who supports that view."

"I don’t believe that anyone’s religious beliefs should impact upon other people"

Paradox?

[AB Editor]

"However, from that directive, one could be forgiven for gaining the impression that Christians alone bear the responsibility – and they don’t."

I won't forgive you for making this mistake :)

I do think that it's just a matter of rhetoric and not intended to be divisive. If you're anti-fracking (I have no idea if you are) surely you welcome such a large pressure group pitching in?

[jomifl]

I think Ed is getting bored.

[naomi24]

Octavius, Not at all. From my point of view caring for the environment has no bearing on religion whatsoever.

Ed, mistake? Not with you. I’ve already said I’m sure it was done with the best of intentions. It’s simply an observation that, rather than give the impression that Christians are the 'stewards of the earth', it would have been better if that large pressure group had aimed it at a wider audience.

[chrisgel]

I would quibble re the Church being a large pressure group or even having any influence at all really.
But it's all academic, Dave has been pushing for us all to accept fracking as a major benefit over the last few days and as far as I'm concerned that means it's a done deal.
Palms have been greased and there's no going back.
It will truly be a land of milk and honey once the operation is up and running.