Monday, November 20, 2006
An Inconvenient Truth
As Christians, what should be our sense of stewardship towards the environment and ecological issues? How does what we do now affect future generations? Do our actions result in longer-term consequences at the expense of another human being's welfare in our immediate vicinity and beyond?
I have been thinking about this due to an an interesting movie I stumbled over this weekend, launched this summer, called An Inconvenient Truth. It is a warmly told documentary on the current environmental crisis debate, a personal documentary spearheaded by the ex-US vice-president Al Gore, presented from a point of view as a family man and father. Now, without reading too much his motives and the political dynamics behind it, I found it to be one of the best shows I have seen this year, in terms of its intellectual thrust and thought-provoking content. It was neither a religious or Christian movie, but it was profoundly spiritual, and for me, disturbing. Here are some thoughts...
As the show unfolded, I was somewhat overwhelmed by a certain sense of shame. Overwhelmed by the sense of how mankind can choose to live extravagantly when another person can live in complete lack. Moved by the notion that we can be responsible for what earth's resources and ecological functions. Yet at the same time, the movie challenged my stance of how I am living, the way I am consuming resources, the things I buy as a consumer, and what issues I would stand by if I were voting. More than merely explaining the scientific theories, Al Gore does a brilliant job at making some poignant statements, at the same time connecting the dots on disjointed facts, and weaving the implications of some of these facts for our lives.
The movie also exposed how people with an agenda to suppress the truth do so not by directly denying it, but by weaving elements of doubt (even in the face of overwhelming scientific evidence). Do ALL the scientists really agree about the facts about global warming? Is it not that some people are using the global warming to advance their political agenda...? Are there not historical evidence that point to extreme scenarios just like the ones we have encountered in the last decade..? Is really serious enough for everyone of us to be alarmed...? Aren't some doomsayers just too negative?
What certain parties have done is shape public opinion by creating doubt in the minds of the people through the media, and ridiculing scientists who are standing up for the truth which they have uncovered. Groups like the oil/gas, automotive, transportation and energy industry would be too happy to oblige in letting the public live in denial and doubt in their goal of growing corporate profits.
That's why the tobacco industry is still thriving even though the facts prove there are direct links between tobacco smoking and cancer. Same approach: Is there really a direct link, or are there other factors that contribute to it, such as genetic factors...? Aren't there examples of people in their nineties who chain smoke but are still alive and well...? Is there absolute, conclusive evidence...? Really...?
I saw the parallels between this approach and the one used in the garden of Eden. Listen to how the smokescreens of doubt are released: Is there really...? Did they actually say...? Could it be that....? Is that completely true...?
Herein lies a fundamental principle: A half-truth raised to create seeds of doubt deals a greater blow to the truth than a head-to-head strike could ever do.
That is true in any context, including the Word of God. As children of God, we have let the enemy steal too much truth away from us.
Take heed of your Father's voice:
I have been thinking about this due to an an interesting movie I stumbled over this weekend, launched this summer, called An Inconvenient Truth. It is a warmly told documentary on the current environmental crisis debate, a personal documentary spearheaded by the ex-US vice-president Al Gore, presented from a point of view as a family man and father. Now, without reading too much his motives and the political dynamics behind it, I found it to be one of the best shows I have seen this year, in terms of its intellectual thrust and thought-provoking content. It was neither a religious or Christian movie, but it was profoundly spiritual, and for me, disturbing. Here are some thoughts...
As the show unfolded, I was somewhat overwhelmed by a certain sense of shame. Overwhelmed by the sense of how mankind can choose to live extravagantly when another person can live in complete lack. Moved by the notion that we can be responsible for what earth's resources and ecological functions. Yet at the same time, the movie challenged my stance of how I am living, the way I am consuming resources, the things I buy as a consumer, and what issues I would stand by if I were voting. More than merely explaining the scientific theories, Al Gore does a brilliant job at making some poignant statements, at the same time connecting the dots on disjointed facts, and weaving the implications of some of these facts for our lives.
The movie also exposed how people with an agenda to suppress the truth do so not by directly denying it, but by weaving elements of doubt (even in the face of overwhelming scientific evidence). Do ALL the scientists really agree about the facts about global warming? Is it not that some people are using the global warming to advance their political agenda...? Are there not historical evidence that point to extreme scenarios just like the ones we have encountered in the last decade..? Is really serious enough for everyone of us to be alarmed...? Aren't some doomsayers just too negative?
What certain parties have done is shape public opinion by creating doubt in the minds of the people through the media, and ridiculing scientists who are standing up for the truth which they have uncovered. Groups like the oil/gas, automotive, transportation and energy industry would be too happy to oblige in letting the public live in denial and doubt in their goal of growing corporate profits.
That's why the tobacco industry is still thriving even though the facts prove there are direct links between tobacco smoking and cancer. Same approach: Is there really a direct link, or are there other factors that contribute to it, such as genetic factors...? Aren't there examples of people in their nineties who chain smoke but are still alive and well...? Is there absolute, conclusive evidence...? Really...?I saw the parallels between this approach and the one used in the garden of Eden. Listen to how the smokescreens of doubt are released: Is there really...? Did they actually say...? Could it be that....? Is that completely true...?
Herein lies a fundamental principle: A half-truth raised to create seeds of doubt deals a greater blow to the truth than a head-to-head strike could ever do.
That is true in any context, including the Word of God. As children of God, we have let the enemy steal too much truth away from us.
Take heed of your Father's voice:
"My son [daughter], pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil." (Proverbs 4:20-26)
From the movie, I am reminded that many a time, the truth in God's is often inconvenient. The enemy is all too happy to convince us that our comfort is all that matters now. Also, what matters is not necessarily just what we think about the matter, it's how we act. The enemy is all to glad to let us sit on our hands, do nothing and render ourselves innocuous to his purposes.
Both these were timely reminders from the show -- applicable to the environmental landscape, as well as our spiritual condition.
-------------------
Also, please go see the movie. Highly recommended. And no, I have not turned into a complete greenie, just slightly greener than before.
Labels: Christian Living, Current Affairs
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