Perfection More Difficult

The list of official sins grows ever larger...perfection it would seem is even further off than yesterday. *sigh*

ROME, Italy (AP) -- A Vatican official has listed drugs, pollution and genetic manipulations as well as social and economic injustices as new areas of sinful behavior... When asked to list the new areas of sinful behavior, Girotti denounced "certain violations of the fundamental rights of human nature through experiments, genetic manipulations." He also mentioned drugs, which weaken the mind and obscure intelligence; pollution; as well as the widening social and economic differences between the rich and the poor that "cause an unbearable social injustice."

My favorite quote is the last sentence in the article:

"There is some sound going around that perhaps he is going to speak about ecology and environment, and if he does, this is kind of preparation for that," he [Apparcel] said.

Would seem that even the Vatican is getting into the environmental act!

Southern Baptist Scientists

Southern Baptist leaders shift position on climate change

(CNN) -- Several prominent leaders in the Southern Baptist Convention said Monday that Baptists have a moral responsibility to combat climate change -- a major shift within a denomination that just last year cast doubt on human responsibility for global warming

The nature of the controversy is best evidenced by comparing SBC's stance from last year to their recent announcement; total flip-flop. As amateur scientists, the Southern Baptist leaders look silly at best. As theologians, I'm not sure I see the connection or relevance with their recent press release. I agree that we as citizens should display some level of environmental consciousness...however, I don't think this is a debate in which I want or expect my church to be united as a "force for good in the world". I would argue that it's not the role of the church anymore than we are required by God to elect the next President a conservative.

The article ended with a quote from a letter signed by Dobson, Bauer, and a handful of other "religious right" leaders:

The issue (global warming) should be addressed scientifically and not theologically."

Amen.