Baptist group urges action on global warming - Reuters

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

Baptist group urges action on global warming
Mon Mar 10, 2008 3:01pm EDT

By Michael Conlon, Religion Writer

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Prominent members of the Southern
Baptist Convention said on Monday that the church, the
largest U.S. Protestant denomination, has been too timid
to speak out against global warming and must start taking
strong stands.

The statement marks a significant shift in the way one
of the country's most conservative churches regards
climate change. If the membership at large accepts it,
there could be political implications since evangelical
Christians are a significant base for the Republican
Party which has been wary of taking action on the issue.

Environmental and climate changes "have not always been
treated with pressing concern as major issues. Indeed
some of us have required considerable convincing ...,"
said a statement issued by 46 church members including
the current and two former presidents of the 16-million-
member denomination.

-snip-

"Our cautious response to these issues in the face of
mounting evidence may be seen by the world as uncaring,
reckless and ill-informed. The time for timidity regarding
God's creation is no more," the group said.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSN1045444220080310