Starting today--Ash Wednesday, cut carbons as your Lenten observance, senior churchmen say.
Lent 2008 starts incredibly early this year. If you don't wish to give up chocolate this Lent, consider a Carbon Fast. Two top clerics in the Church of England are endorsing this concept.
The globally known group, Tear Fund, notes on its website:
Bishops of London and Liverpool join to launch the Carbon Fast. Two of the Church of England’s most senior Bishops are urging people to cut their carbon rather than give up chocolate this Lent. Bishop of Liverpool and Vice President of Tearfund, James Jones and Bishop of London, Dr Richard Chartres, are joining with development agency Tearfund in calling for a cut in personal carbon use for each of the 40 days of Lent.
At the same time a Tearfund survey reveals that three out of five adults in the UK are willing to take an energy saving action this Lent. Tearfund and the Bishops have launched the fast because of the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions, and to protect poor communities around the world who are already suffering from the ravages of climate change.
Bishop of Liverpool and Vice President of Tearfund, James Jones said, `Traditionally people have given up things for Lent. This year we are inviting people to join us in a Carbon Fast. `It is the poor who are already suffering the effects of climate change. To carry on regardless of their plight is to fly in the face of Christian teaching.
`The tragedy is that those with the power to do something about it are least affected, whilst those who are most affected are powerless to bring about change. `There’s a moral imperative on those of us who emit more than our fair share of carbon to rein in our consumption.'
The Carbon Fast is a 40 day journey through Lent, towards a lighter carbon footprint, with a simple energy saving action per day. Actions include:
* snubbing plastic bags
* giving the dishwasher a day off
* insulating the hot water tank
* checking the house for drafts with a ribbon and buying draught excludersParticipants are asked to begin the Carbon Fast by removing one light bulb from a prominent place in the home and live without it for 40 days - as a constant visual reminder during Lent of the need to cut energy.
With a lighter carbon footprint, the Western church would save money while saving the world in the name of Christ.
share thisPosted by Tim Morgan on February 6, 2008 1:54PM
Comments
I'll gladly go on a carbon fast by refusing to eat burnt food and charcoal.
I'll give the dishwasher a day off and wash the dishes myself, rather than make my wife do them. We don't have a mechanical dishwasher in the house anyway.
Posted by: JR at February 6, 2008
A great idea!
Posted by: Matt K at February 6, 2008
The best thing Church of England pastors can do to reduce carbon emissions is to close their mouths. This is the same bunch that brought us the blasphemous U2-charists, now they are desecrating Lent which is supposed to be about the supreme sacrifice of God's only Son for a humanity destined for hell. What most of these pastors need more than anything is to come to know the living Christ. Then they'd stop being nothing more than shills for left-wing political causes and dragging the Lord's name through the dirt. Christ's instructions in Mark 1:16 come to mind.
Posted by: Valkyrie at February 6, 2008
I think this is a great suggestion as a reminder for Lent. Instead of a giving up some meaningless indulgence, doing something that helps the planet is much more meaningful. Didn't the Lord give us dominion over all? How can one be a Christian and not want to take care of the earth whether global warming is fact or fiction?
Posted by: Chris Graves at February 7, 2008
I think this is a great suggestion as a reminder for Lent. Instead of a giving up some meaningless indulgence, doing something that helps the planet is much more meaningful. Didn't the Lord give us dominion over all? How can one be a Christian and not want to take care of the earth whether global warming is fact or fiction?
Posted by: Chris Graves at February 7, 2008
Valkyrie: Yours is certainly a loving response to an attempt at living out one's faith.
Posted by: Adam S at February 7, 2008
Great idea! Whether we agree with the specific focus these leaders are taking or not (see Valkyrie's comment), at least htey are trying to do something -- anything -- to be salt and light in the world. Living in a country being environmentally and socially decimated by the oil and gas industry (Alberta, Canada), I applaud any efforts to honour the Lord and care for those whom He loves by reducing carbon use and the environmental effects that go with unchecked carbon consumerism.
Posted by: Bruce at February 7, 2008
Perhaps the Lord's name is also dragged through the dirt when Christians speak as unlovingly as Valkyrie did.
Posted by: canadiens_24 at February 7, 2008
Why only during Lent? And how does this relate to Jesus's earthly life? I think this practice is a bit far from the purposes of Lent, but still we should modify our daily habits all year. On the other hand, it's a good thing my car just broke down and I walk everywhere now.
Posted by: Robert at February 7, 2008
Some think God is like Burger King: "Have it your way". A season that begins with wantonness, later invites Cupid (in Roman Mythology, the god-son of Venus), ends with "Easter" which does not recognize that it was on Passover that Christ died on.
Posted by: Lance E at February 7, 2008
Lent is not authorized by God. It is completely man-made works-oriented. Why not every day we all focus on taking up our cross daily and crucifying our flesh to live holy lives as Christ requires? Let's return to the commands of Christ and the precedent of the apostles, not the downward spiral of the rituals of Rome and Canterbury. Jesus said, "If you love Me, keep My commandments. That the article mentions chocolate and carbon proves the ridiculousness of the practice. And if you think this comment is uncharitable, I am contending for the faith delivered once and for all (Jude 3). There'd be no divisions if we all returned to the New Testament alone as sufficient for faith and practice. If we did, the sinfulness of Mardi Gras would end. This whole man-made season is made hypocritical by that one day of debauchery.
Posted by: The G at February 7, 2008
I am concerned that the envornmental movement is rising upto be a form of worhiping the creation rather than the creator. It is very prideful to say that man can destroy the earth with carbon emmisions. We should take much more care for God's children than our temporary home he has made for us.
Posted by: David at February 8, 2008
Lent is a time to sacrifice in order to grow closer to Christ--not to show our devotion to bad science and worse politics. During this time of year, we focus on humility in how we care for Christ. It seems these elevated churchmen want to show their pride in how they care for the earth. "Vanity of vanities, says the teacher. Vanity of vanities, all is vanity."
Posted by: Fred S at February 8, 2008
Not every one who practices Lent participates in the debauchery of Mardi Gras. Those who do probably don't observe Lent at all. Lent is designed to remind us of the sacrifice of Jesus, it has nothing to do with "works" at all. Yes, Lent is "man-made" but then so is Christmas. Both are intended to be observances of a spiritual nature. Jesus didn't tell us to memorialize his birth; he did tell us to memorialize his death.
Posted by: Larry C at February 8, 2008
You have got to be kidding me. Maybe it is time for churchmen the world over to remember that they are not politicians or social engineers. They are specifically tasked to proclaim the Gospel and to edify believers that they might grow in grace and holiness. Leave the political correctness to others.
Posted by: TT at February 9, 2008
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