Groups Link Stewardship to Growth

EARTHKEEPING NEWS
A NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN COALITION FOR CHRISTIANITY AND ECOLOGY

Volume Nine, Number Four
May/June 2000

RELIGIOUS GROUPS LINK STEWARDSHIP TO ECONOMIC GROWTH

Interfaith Coalition Publishes a Manifesto on the Environment

WASHINGTON — In a watershed moment with potentially far-reaching political consequences in an election year, The Interfaith Council for Environmental Stewardship, or ICES, released an environmental manifesto entitled A Faith Community Commitment to the Environment and Our Children's Future

The manifesto represents the most significant contribution of religious conservatives to the debate over environmental policy since the movement first emerged in the late 1970's.

From the beginning of Genesis, a text used by both Jews and all denominations of Christians, we believe we are responsible for preserving some of all types of animal and plant life for all generations to come (Genesis 1:28-31). Our relationship with nature (Genesis 2:19-20 and 9:1-4) entails both stewardship and responsibility, not the wanton destruction of natural resources for the gain of a few at the expense of others. Another reason for protection of the environment is that nature and the environment help reveal God to us (Psalm 19), and that because God has compassion for everything he has created (Psalm 145:9), we should too. In short, we should not be careless with what God has called "good" (Genesis 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 31).

This makes our responsibility for the environment and our world clear. However, the basis for this responsibility is that we must use natural resources in a way that preserves them for other people, both living in other parts of the world and those of future generations.

However, these texts also make it clear that natural resources and animals are here for the use of man, and therefore we reject more radical elements of the environmental movement that hold that animals are equal to humans. In fact, we do believe that animals as well as plants were provided for our use (Genesis 9:2-3).

We pledge to the American people to always remember that environmental policies must expand economic opportunity for all Americans. In the past, simplistic solutions to environmental problems have been adopted which have locked-up many of the nation's natural resources and have denied economic opportunities that would benefit our poorest citizens. Yet we face ever-increasing demands to lock-up even more resources so the vast majority of Americans are denied their use.

We pledge to implement policies that protect the future job opportunities for our children and grandchildren and to protect their right to enjoy the natural resources and beauty of America that is their heritage. Real environmental solutions must keep in mind that all Americans of this generation and all generations to come must share in the environmental improvements Congress is charged with passing.

In conclusion, we the undersigned understand that America was built on principles that sought to provide unlimited opportunity for all citizens. We will chart a new course to open opportunities to explore, invent, and innovate — expanding the economy and, at the same time, improving and preserving our natural heritage and our environment.

Signed by: Roberta Combs Christian Coalition,
Jerry Falwell Liberty Alliance,
Richard Land Southern Baptist Convention,
Rabbi Lapin Toward Tradition,
Martin Brown Family Foundation,
Gary Palmer Policy Institute,
Louis Sheldon Traditional Values Coalition,
George Landrith Frontiers of Freedom,
and Phil Cox Faith & Family Alliance.

RELIGIOUS GROUPS LINK STEWARDSHIP TO ECONOMIC GROWTH

Interfaith Coalition Publishes a Manifesto on the Environment

Excerpts from the Manifesto