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I came across this article today. Apparently, Southern Baptist Leaders have done an about face concerning their stance on global warming. At the convention last summer, a resolution was passed stating that the SBC should " proceed cautiously into the debate on global warming due to a lack of consensus" on whether it even exists or its causes.

Today, I learned that there exists a Southen Baptist Environment and Climate Initiative. You can view their website here. I am considerably perplexed by this sudden foray into this arena. It concerns me on several levels:

1. I think the decision made to be very careful in what the SBC involves itself in is prudent. There is absolutely no consensus concerning global warming and whether it is caused by man. Just last week, the founder of The Weather Channel was on Fox News speaking against global warming. He recently called global warming the "greatest scam in history." It concerns me that the SBC would jump so quickly into this after affirming a much more cautious approach.

2. By putting the SBC title on this document and initiative, it will appear to most people that the Southern Baptists as a whole have endorsed these actions. One of the tenets of the SBC is the autonomy of the local church. We can and do have the right to pray and seek God's direction over issues for ourselves. I am always concerned when denominational leaders "speak out" for the convention on controversial issues. ( Let me note here that I am firm believer in being good stewards of the creation that God entrusted to us. I am concerned that the SBC will engage this "issue" at the expense of issues that are more clearly delineated in the Bible, such as helping the poor, the sanctitiy of life and preserving the sacredness of marriage, among others.)

3. I spent some time looking at the website. If we are going to venture into this area, there needs to be clear and persuasive scientific evidence that leads to this conclusion. In fact, the actual document states that there is no "special revelation" that led to this initiative, but the same information that is available to all. I did not see any scientists or specialists in climate-related fields listed on the website or associated with the initiative. Given the fact that this issue is so divisive, I would think that a mountain of evidence would be needed to show the reason for the founding of this initiative.

All in all, I am mostly concerned by the fact that my denomination is throwing its "collective" hat into this ring. Let me state again that I admire the hearts of people that take God's command seriously to be good stewards of His earth. However, there are clear things that can be done to take care of creation, such as recycling, reforestation, etc. I remain mostly unconvinced that global warming is solely a man-made phenoma and I cautiously view it as more of a political issue than anything else.

I would like to know more about the initiative, specifically pertaining to how it relates to the SBC, how it is funded and how it plans to be involved in this particular issue.

Let me finish by stating that this is solely my opinion, based on my own personal research. It is not the offical stance of my church. I am aware that there are much smarter people than I (engineers, scientists, etc.) that may be able to help me see other viewpoints. If so, I welcome them.

Until then, I would advise much prudence in this issue, especially when we, as southern baptists, begin to dip our toes into this pool. We need to make sure that this is a priority in line with the mandate given to us by Christ.