The Pope Speaks Out

[Lenny]

The Pope condemns the climate change prophets of doom
By SIMON CALDWELL - Last updated at 14:48pm on 12th December 2007

Pope Benedict XVI has launched a surprise attack on climate change prophets of doom, warning them that any solutions to global warming must be based on firm evidence and not on dubious ideology.

The leader of more than a billion Roman Catholics suggested that fears over man-made emissions melting the ice caps and causing a wave of unprecedented disasters were nothing more than scare-mongering.

The German-born Pontiff said that while some concerns may be valid it was vital that the international community based its policies on science rather than the dogma of the environmentalist movement.

His remarks will be made in his annual message for World Peace Day on January 1, but they were released as delegates from all over the world convened on the Indonesian holiday island of Bali for UN climate change talks.

The 80-year-old Pope said the world needed to care for the environment but not to the point where the welfare of animals and plants was given a greater priority than that of mankind.

"Humanity today is rightly concerned about the ecological balance of tomorrow," he said in the message entitled "The Human Family, A Community of Peace".

"It is important for assessments in this regard to be carried out prudently, in dialogue with experts and people of wisdom, uninhibited by ideological pressure to draw hasty conclusions, and above all with the aim of reaching agreement on a model of sustainable development capable of ensuring the well-being of all while respecting environmental balances.

"If the protection of the environment involves costs, they should be justly distributed, taking due account of the different levels of development of various countries and the need for solidarity with future generations.

"Prudence does not mean failing to accept responsibilities and postponing decisions; it means being committed to making joint decisions after pondering responsibly the road to be taken."

Efforts to protect the environment should seek "agreement on a model of sustainable development capable of ensuring the well-being of all while respecting environmental balances", the Pope said.

He added that to further the cause of world peace it was sensible for nations to "choose the path of dialogue rather than the path of unilateral decisions" in how to cooperate responsibly on conserving the planet.

The Pope's message is traditionally sent to heads of government and international organisations.

His remarks reveal that while the Pope acknowledges that problems may be associated with unbridled development and climate change, he believes the case against global warming to be over-hyped.

A broad consensus is developing among the world's scientific community over the evils of climate change.

But there is also an intransigent body of scientific opinion which continues to insist that industrial emissions are not to blame for the phenomenon.

Such scientists point out that fluctuations in the earth's temperature are normal and can often be caused by waves of heat generated by the sun. Other critics of environmentalism have compared the movement to a burgeoning industry in its own right.

In the spring, the Vatican hosted a conference on climate change that was welcomed by environmentalists.

But senior cardinals close to the Vatican have since expressed doubts about a movement which has been likened by critics to be just as dogmatic in its assumptions as any religion.

In October, the Australian Cardinal George Pell, the Archbishop of Sydney, caused an outcry when he noted that the atmospheric temperature of Mars had risen by 0.5 degrees celsius.

"The industrial-military complex up on Mars can't be blamed for that," he said in a criticism of Australian scientists who had claimed that carbon emissions would force temperatures on earth to rise by almost five degrees by 2070 unless drastic solutions were enforced.

[Fran Gyomory]

Not that I agree or disagree but remember, the Pope is only infallible on matters of religion.

[Preacher Mike]

Amen to all that Fran....

[Deleted]

thank you for the post fran

[pegleg]

frangyomory said:

Not that I agree or disagree but remember, the Pope is only infallible on matters of religion.

True. But Gor's fallibility in most areas, especially on matters of science, is unquestioned. Many, many, scientists are pushing back on this new industry, this Hoax. At great personal cost in some cases...

In my view, there really is nothing to disagree with in the (surprisingly) reasoned statement from the Vatican. And it certainly has at least as much weight as algore's.

For just one view (of thousands!) of the current "environment" relating to reasoned discussion on GW:
tinyurl.com/ypfck4

Just remember....

We're all gonna DIE!!!! We're all gonna DIE!!!!!

.... and I, for one, intend to go out all nice and toasty!!

[Lenny]

The subject of global warming and its causes has come up here at the Candy Store before and I posted this thread on the Pope just as a matter of information to those interested.

Personally, I believe man is responsible for polluting the earth in many ways, all in the name of progress. Smoke stacks, car emissions, trash thrown into the waters etc. etc. I even believe that every time the space shuttle pokes another hole in the ozone layer, it is in some way adversely affectiong the earth which may finally be manifestiong itself in the form of climate changes and global warming. Call it whatever you want, but I think man has played God for too long and will ultimately reap what he has sown.

[Fran Gyomory]

They call what we have done to the great planet earth "progress" ! I don't think man has played God at all. Man has simply consistently tried to find a "better" way of life and if that means invention of things that have harmed humanity, then that is what we have done. I don't see anyone considering themselves God. Many believe they are above the rest of us but I only recall that John Lennon is the one who said that the Beatles were "more famous than Jesus" and he was a drug addict to whom reality was not important.

God has given man abilities and he free will to decide how to use them. We are responsible for our own future or lack thereof.

My personal opinion of global warming and the Al Gore fear tactics is that he is a fool and he is followed by fools. My opinion and only important to me.

With God's grace we will continue to survive until HE determines we have had all the chances He is willing to give us.

[Lenny]

I'm not one for making excuses for the arrogance of man. Some like to justify what man has accomplished by saying God gave us the wisdom and knowledge.

In his arrogance, man tried reaching the heavens without God before. Man thought he could accomplish anything he wanted without God.

It is best described in the account of the Tower Of Babel in the book of Genesis

The people of that time started to build a tower reaching into the heavens all on their own. God looked down upon them and shook His head saying......."look at these prideful people thinking they can reach heaven alone. Unless I put a stop to this, there's no telling what they will attempt to do next." So God confounded their efforts by confusing them so that no one man could understand what the other was saying. The tower was halted and they scattered to the four corners of the earth.

In contrast, when God wants man to accomplish His will, He puts his blessings on their efforts. This is best described in the account of Noah's Ark. God saw how evil the people of the earth were and he looked upon Noah and his family as righteous and told Noah to build the Ark. The rains came and destroyed the wicked and Noah and his family who followed God's plan for survival were saved.

Again in the account of Sodom and Gomorrah, God saw how wicked man was. He saw Lot and his family who were righteous and told them to flee the city. Lot gathered all who were righteous and left the city and God destroyed the wicked who were arrogant and lived out of the will of God.

We have pretty much the same pattern today and we are as confused and as confounded as those before us. The arrogance of man living out of God's will. Sin abounds! We see the most heinous and hideous crimes of man's inhumanity toward man such as never seen before. Man thinks he does not need God! We kick him out of our schools and public places. Man wants God's name off our currency, out of our pledge of alligeance and His Holy Word is not allowed in public. In his arrogance, man makes another feeble attempt to rebuild the Tower Of Babel and reach the heavens in the form of Space Shuttles instead of solving the problems man created here on earth. God set into motion the process that created the universe and he placed mankind here on the planet earth. He gave us dominion over the beasts of the fields, the fowls of the air and all the fish that swim in the sea. He did so for a reason! This is the only place that supports these particular lifeforms and God has given us the resources to solve our problems right here through His divine intervention, only in our arrogance, we insist we have a better way. If it were not so, we would already be on other planets according to His will. Who are we to say....Dear God, we don't like where you placed us in the universe so we're leaving and going somewhere else?" Who are we to think that we are above the same chastisment for indifference towards God as has been doled out to those before us? (Thus the arrogance of man) People with souls go hungry through famine and without medical care and a place to call home. Men, women and children die of diseases due to lack of funds for treatment and research while billions are spent on the fruitless efforts of man to accomplish whatever he wants on his own while the human condition continues to deteriorate at a rate such as never was nor ever shall be. Even so......Come Lord Quickly! "For unless these days are cut short, there would no life be saved."

Disclaimer:
I understand the above conviction is my own and not necessarily those of management or other members of this board. It is given with a sincere heart as I pray for God's wisdom to understand the scriptures and prophecy and their relationship to current events. It is not intended to cause discord or prompt those who may disagree to reply to this thread in any manner as to be disrespectful to the writer or cause hard feelings as has happened in the past on matters of religion. We can each maintain our own convictions on the subject and agree to disagree as adults and move on without accusations of the origin of such a thread being the result of convoluted thinking. I welcome all replies in accordance with our agreement to use diplomacy in our choice of words when posting replies to this or any other thread posted by other members.

And all who agree said.....................AMEN!

[Lenny]

Like it has been explained in a nice way before...............replies to posts that launch personal attacks against the writer's integrity simply because someone does not agree with the post can no longer be allowed here at the Candy Store. Please direct your negative comments about other members via e-mail. If you do not like the topic that a member chooses to post on and you know that you never agree with that member, it would be better not to open that members post rather than resort to replying in a manner not consistent with our desire to keep all posts diplomatic and respectful.

"It is with deep regret that I found it necessary once again to delete a particular reply to this thread that was not in keeping with the goal of keeping the Bronx Candy Store a friendly place to hang out. This is new to us as we have not had to delete posts in the years that the Candy Store has been in existence until recently and I am sure I speak for Tony as well in saying that we are sorry this has become necessary. Please, please, please......just agree to disagree and keep reply's to posts friendly and respectful. It's The Bronx Candy Store Way!"

Thanks to all those members who have displayed the same willingness to achieve this goal. It is what keeps us separate and distinct from some of the other message boards on the internet.

[pegleg]

lenny said:

Personally, I believe man is responsible for polluting the earth in many ways, all in the name of progress. Smoke stacks, car emissions, trash thrown into the waters etc. etc. I even believe that every time the space shuttle pokes another hole in the ozone layer, it is in some way adversely affectiong the earth which may finally be manifestiong itself in the form of climate changes and global warming. Call it whatever you want, but I think man has played God for too long and will ultimately reap what he has sown.

Wellll... these posts are among the best examples of neo-Luddism I've seen in quite a while. Congratulations.

But.... I have to ask... why would one with such heartfelt, and scripturally directed, beliefs own two cars, a house with plumbing, central A/C, electricity, and... gasp... not just one, but two computers? And tied into the iniquitous internet yet?!!!!! Or for that matter, why would he want to take up residence in the New World??? Ain't that playing God??? It seems to me, that for one to hold such convictions, their course is clear... divest thee of such devilish instruments and live on a farm growing your food, plowing your fields behind Nellie, using a hand thresher, etc. No? The Amish show that it can be done. Certainly an achievable outcome.

Disclaimer:
I understand the above conviction is my own and not necessarily those of management or other members of this board. It is given with a sincere heart as I pray for God's wisdom to understand the scriptures and prophecy and their relationship to current events. It is not intended to cause discord or prompt those who may disagree to reply to this thread in any manner as to be disrespectful to the writer or cause hard feelings as has happened in the past on matters of religion. We can each maintain our own convictions on the subject and agree to disagree as adults and move on without accusations of the origin of such a thread being the result of convoluted thinking. I welcome all replies in accordance with our agreement to use diplomacy in our choice of words when posting replies to this or any other thread posted by other members.

[Lenny]

I visited an Amish community recently in Sarasota and I have to tell you it was an wonderful experience. These people are indeed a shining example of "Living The Simple Life." I bought the book explaining the Amish lifestyle and found it very interesting.

One is born into this world unaware and without the ability to understand anything other than what is taught to him/her. You are born into a lifesyle lived by those who call you son or daughter and this is the life you adapt to.

Likewise, Amish children are born onto that particular way of life and are taught from infancy to maintain the belief's of those who call them sons and daughters.

Whether materialism such as having two cars or two computers can be used to determine if an individual is living the correct lifestyle or not, I am not sure. Not to toot my own horn, but I for one strive for proper balance between materialism and compassion for others who are less fortunate through the manifestation of the Corporal Works of Mercy and compassion and benevolence in keeping with the Lord's command to Feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, shelter the stranger and visit the sick and imprisoned according to the teachings of my faith, just as I am sure many others do.

Are we victims of the lifestyle into which we are born or guilty of making a personal choice to live the lifestyle we find ourselves in? I don't know! I don't have the answer. I do know that I am here and I am who I am and what I am and I just strive to keep that balance, to indulge with moderation and to be as good a person as I can in the manner in which I treat my fellow human beings and hope and pray it is looked upon favoraby by the Lord our God.

No one of us is perfect! Not one! But as the Apostle Paul admonishes........."we must strive to be perfect as the Lord is perfect......we must strive to be holy as the Lord is holy." The key word here is "STRIVE." The whole Bible is given to us for instruction, correction, reproof and rebuking. It is God's instruction book on how to live our lives in a pleasing manner in His sight. Do we as human beings ever attain this goal of holiness and perfection in the time we are given in this life? I don't know! Probably not! I just know we must continue to strive and some just try a little harder than others in whatever lifestyle they happen to be born, but one thing remains certain....unless one becomes as a little child and accepts the whole Word Of God with blind faith, the goal seems unattainable!

[Preacher Mike]

Wellll... these posts are among the best examples of neo-Luddism I've seen in quite a while. Congratulations.

Idid't know what that ment?? so I look it up

neo-Luddism

An individual who is against technological change. Luddite comes from Englishman Ned Lud, who rose up against his employer in the late 1700s. Subsequently, "Luddites" emerged in other companies to protest and even destroy new machinery that would put them out of a job. A neo-Luddite is a Luddite in the Internet age.