In 1984, four years into my ministry the Doomsday Clock was moved to 11:57, the closest it had been to midnight and doomsday since in was established in 1947 by atomic scientists, other than during the years in the late forties and early fifties when the first round of the nuclear arms race got under way. I recall speaking about the symbolic Doomsday Clock in a sermon at that time. There were a number of films exploring the consequences of nuclear war and a general anxiety about our inability to step back from the brink. Eventually is was moved back all the way to 11:43 in 1991 because of treaties which curtailed the development of nuclear weapons.
The minute hand has crept forward during the past two decades and this week the Doomsday Clock made the news again after being set at 11:55. Reasons cited include a lack of global political action to address nuclear weapons stockpiles, the potential for regional nuclear conflict, nuclear power safety, and global climate change.
On the nuclear side we worry about the wild impulses of the Iranians and North Koreans. This is the first time I have seen climate change included as a reason to advance the time, although I discover that it has been a factor since 2007. It does make sense. Nuclear weapons are an obvious catastrophic threat. Climate change is insidious and incremental, but scientists want us to realize that it too can be catastrophic.
We know that international conferences seem to get us nowhere in dealing with this threat to the planet. Our faith leaders attempt to address the situation but feel rather helpless. Little wonder they call it the Doomsday Clock. Why can't we act in our own best interests and for future generations?
Did you know about the Doomsday Clock? Is is just sensationalism, or should we be paying much closer attention to this symbol? Are ya prayin'?
5 comments:
As far as climate change goes, I'm dismayed at our government's stance toward it. I think it ought to be included on the Doomsday clock - if we don't fry each other with nukes, we'll eventually slow cook ourselves.
We don't seem equipped to act in the best interests of future generations.
I agree with both of you. In fact, the speculation is that our biological programming is to live in the moment (including our inclination to gorge on available food) and it may be our downfall.
Well this blog put me in a great mood!LOL
It's later than you think Johnny! It's a good thing we have Christian hope and the opportunity to make choices for the good.
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