c. 2007 Religion News Service
Protestant Leaders Welcome New Report on Global Climate Change
(RNS) Some Protestant leaders are welcoming a major new study on climate change which found that emissions from fossil fuels and other human activities are to blame for global warming.
The highly anticipated report issued by the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was released Friday (Feb. 2) after being reviewed and revised by representatives from 113 governments around the world.
“Most of the observed increase in globally averaged temperatures since the mid-20th century is very likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic (human-caused) greenhouse gas concentrations,” stated the IPCC’s Summary for Policymakers. The study defines the words “very likely” as meaning with a 90 percent probability.
Reaction to the panel’s report has encouraged leaders from the World Council of Churches (WCC) program on climate change and water to look for ways humans can remedy the problem.
The Rev. Martin Robra, who is responsible for the WCC’s work on climate change, said the debate over human impact on the environment should shift from denial and delays to responsibility and remedies.
The Rev. Jim Ball, president of the Evangelical Environmental Network, said Christians need to find a way to get involved.
“With the IPCC finding … that human activities, primarily the burning of fossil fuels, are a major cause of climate change, I am absolutely certain that as Christians we need to act today to curb global warming pollution,” said Ball.
“It is a moral imperative that we act to protect God’s creation, including the helpless victims of what the report indicates will be the decades-long impact of global warming,” Ball said.
_ Melissa Stee
Supreme Court Documentary Spotlights Key Decisions
WASHINGTON (RNS) A new PBS documentary airing Wednesday (Feb. 7) details how the Supreme Court in 1940 rejected an appeal by Jehovah’s Witnesses to be exempted from reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. The court later reversed that decision, describing the salute as “a form of utterance” protected by the First Amendment.
That pair of decisions, as well as the history of the contentious Roe v. Wade decision and other cases, reveal the changing views of the court and its response to political and social issues.
The documentary airing Wednesday is the second segment of a two-part series that sheds light on the court’s history and explores landmark decisions that have affected the way Americans live and worship.
The complete documentary provides a broad overview of the Supreme Court from its creation in 1790 to its controversial decision in Bush v. Gore in 2000. It includes interviews with Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and former Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.
_ Katherine Boyle
United Methodists Launch Faith-Based Social Networking Web Site
(RNS) The United Methodist Church has announced the launch of its new faith-based social networking Web site.
Leaders from United Methodist Communications announced the project this week (Jan. 29) through a “virtual” press conference unveiling the site’s design and features. They believe it’s the first such project offered by a mainline Protestant denomination.
In an effort to take a “generation next” approach, the site, http://www.UMC.org, will allow members to create global relationships with others interested in the church through online faith discussions.
Matt Carlisle, director of the denomination’s Web ministry, said the church’s overall site has been redesigned for a new generation and a new century by implementing new technologies.
“We’ve designed a centralized place where seekers can come to learn and share resources and assist one another online,” he said.
The site offers an opportunity for users to share prayer requests, read inspirational stories posted by other members and set up profiles to identify ways to use their individual talents.
“One of the exciting features is the opportunity to volunteer globally by visiting the `Our World’ section of the Web site,” said Larry Hollon, general secretary of United Methodist Communications, adding that he sees the site as a welcoming place for people of all faiths.
Carlisle said it aims to be different from other social networks like MySpace and Facebook. “This is connecting socially, but then going out and making the world a better place,” he said.
Traditionally and spiritually, the way people connect is face to face and a networking site will never replace the church experience, Carlisle said.
“You can’t wrap your hands around a computer monitor at a time when you have had a loss,” he said. “You need to be able to kneel and pray with people at that time.”
_ Melissa Stee
Quote of the Day: The Rev. Ian Douglas of the Episcopal Divinity School
(RNS) “The Anglican Communion is not like a reality TV show where a church can get voted off the island.”
_ The Rev. Ian Douglas of the Cambridge, Mass.-based Episcopal Divinity School, on the tensions between the Episcopal Church and the global Anglican Communion. He was quoted by The Washington Times.
DSB/PH END RNS
