Which country has the most oil reserves after Saudi Arabia? Is it Kuwait, or Iraq, or perhaps Venezuela? Most Canadians would be surprised to hear that it is our own country. Much of that can be found in the oilsands of Alberta. The extraction of that oil is also one of the reasons that Canada is a dubious world leader in another category, the emission of greenhouse gases.
Last week a delegation from eight of Canada's Christian denominations travelled to Alberta to study the impact of oilsand extraction. It is a hugely destructive, environmentally unfriendly process which has affected waterways and torn up the landscape. While the oil companies have got better in the way they go about their business, the development of the region has progressed at such a torrid pace that the long-term impact isn't known.
During the tour, leaders representing the Anglican, Christian Reformed, Lutheran, Mennonite, Presbyterian, Quaker, Roman Catholic and United churches strived to get a balanced look at the oilsands.
I was impressed that this tour, several days in duration, was actually reported in a major newspaper. Unless we're doing something really stupid, churches don't get much press these days.
Do you think churches should be rooting around in the oilsands? Should we stick to the business of saving souls, or is caring for the environment actually God's work? My own opinion is that it is hard to do soul care if we don't care for the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the soil which grows our daily bread.
Last week a delegation from eight of Canada's Christian denominations travelled to Alberta to study the impact of oilsand extraction. It is a hugely destructive, environmentally unfriendly process which has affected waterways and torn up the landscape. While the oil companies have got better in the way they go about their business, the development of the region has progressed at such a torrid pace that the long-term impact isn't known.
During the tour, leaders representing the Anglican, Christian Reformed, Lutheran, Mennonite, Presbyterian, Quaker, Roman Catholic and United churches strived to get a balanced look at the oilsands.
I was impressed that this tour, several days in duration, was actually reported in a major newspaper. Unless we're doing something really stupid, churches don't get much press these days.
Do you think churches should be rooting around in the oilsands? Should we stick to the business of saving souls, or is caring for the environment actually God's work? My own opinion is that it is hard to do soul care if we don't care for the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the soil which grows our daily bread.
Caring for the environment is everyone's work not just saved for the Christians. Churches should be concerned and educate their people about the environment. The problem with religion is that on the whole it has done more harm than good in trying to help.
ReplyDeleteI think the natural world is our collective soul. I am reading Last Child in the Woods right now. It would be hard to separate God's creation from the church. I think it would be hard not to make a connection between the way we treat each other and the way we treat the earth.
ReplyDeleteLast Child in the Woods is an important reminder about nurturing the innate sense of wonder in children that can be quenched by the technological and over-protective society we live in.
ReplyDeleteI agree that faith traditions have a spotty record when it comes to earth care. I have been a student of eco-faith for a long time and it strikes me that the real challenge is human greed, regardless of race, creed, or religion. An intentionally atheist society such as modern-day China is an environmental nightmare. The power of religion is pointing to the beauty of the created order and inviting followers to "live with respect in Creation," to quote our United Church statement of faith.