| LifeWay study: Protestant pastors divided on global warming |
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| By Bob Allen | |
| Friday, April 17, 2009 | |
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) -- Protestant pastors are sending mixed messages about the environment and climate change, according to a new study by LifeWay Research. In a survey of 1,002 clergy conducted last October, 47 percent agreed and 47 percent disagreed with the statement, "I believe global warming is real and man-made." The remaining 6 percent said they were undecided. Belief in global warming varied widely by denomination. Three-fourths of pastors in mainline denominations agreed with the statement, while just 32 percent of evangelical pastors subscribe to the theory that humans are a factor in global warming. A recent Gallup Poll found that a majority of Americans believe global warming is real, but a record-high 41 percent said the seriousness of the threat is exaggerated by the media. A 2007 report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change declared evidence of global warming "unequivocal" and said with "very high confidence" that at least some of the change is attributable to human activity. Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Md.) said in a recent online chat the media contribute to confusion over the truth and cause of global warming by depicting it as a subject of serious scientific debate. "For most of us who have to actually make policy and spend precious taxpayer money on things that will make a difference, the science is settled," she said. "I think the challenge for media is to use the science and the facts and for us to challenge them," Edwards said. "I'm hopeful that while the old talking heads are still singing the 'anti-science' tune, most of America doesn’t really believe it." -30- Bob Allen is senior writer for Associated Baptist Press.                 Comments (2)
 not settled
written by Dr. J, April 17, 2009
Global warming is not a settled science even though educated scientists like Rep. Donna Edwards says is it. What is interesting is that politicians like Edwards have asked for a public debate. Congress has hearings on many ridiculous topics. Yet, this Congress refuses to hold hearings on global warming. Most likely, they don't want to be confused by the facts.
... written by pjerwin, April 17, 2009
So, the article "Protestant Pastors Divided on Global Warming" ends with a politician's diatribe against the media's "old talking heads" sewing confusion with their "anti-science tune." Bravo, Bob, on another poorly written and conceived article.
As far as spreading confusion, add Rep. Edwards (D-Md) to the list. She says, "For most of us who have to actually make policy and spend precious taxpayer money on things that will make a difference, the science is settled." For most of us? That's what I'd call settled. And since when is "the media" anti-science? And who is "the media?" Way to go, Bob. Pretty thorough job. Readers alone are responsible for the content of the comments they post here. The comments are subject to the site’s terms and conditions of use and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or approval of the ABP News. Readers whose comments violate the terms of use may have their comments removed or all of their content blocked from viewing by other users without notification.
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