Comments on: Rapt Cycling Advocacy

By: Tim

Tim — Fri, 27 May 2011 04:19:10 +0000

When asked if the world were to end tomorrow Martin Luther said that he would plant a tree today.
Taking care of the earth is not exclusively the resonsibility of seculars. If the Seirra Club can work with the NRA to protect natural places then there is hope for the “bewildered” and the cycling advocate. Caring for the earth and moving cycling forward as a mainstream form of transportation
are tasks that no one should expect to take on alone and succeed.

http://www.elca.org/What-We-Believe/Social-Issues/Social-Statements/Environment.aspx

By: BluesCat

BluesCat — Wed, 25 May 2011 14:20:26 +0000

You did a good job of negotiating this minefield of a topic, Ted.

What I really enjoyed seeing was all of the responses from professed Christians. If I could sum up their attitudes with one word, it would be “tolerant.”

Tolerance seems to be in short supply with a lot of people who say they follow the tenets of the Christian faith (they seem to think if you aren’t Christian you aren’t moral, ethical, happy, etc.).

Hmmm. I’ve always said that bicycling makes you a better person; maybe it happens to Christian bicyclists, too.

By: Columbus commuter

Columbus commuter — Wed, 25 May 2011 14:17:20 +0000

The idea that mankind does not have to be concerned with caring for the Earth because the end is coming anyway is arrogant and obnoxious to me. Man’s time on this planet is as thin as the skin of an onion yet some profess to having divine knowledge.

By: sirwnstn

sirwnstn — Tue, 24 May 2011 20:06:55 +0000

John, There is a difference. Dano spells it out fairly clearly below. I happen to agree with him. (Interestingly enough I feel the same way he does when I go riding) Now, when Jesus comes back, I’d want him to see that I kept the “house” nice and neat. I wouldn’t want him to find me trashing the place, and have him asking “Why did you waste what I’ve given you?”

As for “protecting your children from religion”, I hope you didn’t protect them from the good things that “religion” can bring – things like morality and good ethics (not to say that non-religous people are immoral or unethical).

By: Ted Johnson

Ted Johnson — Tue, 24 May 2011 18:46:18 +0000

Right. My point is not that the 19 or 20% “pathologically reject working for a better world.” I wouldn’t want anything I wrote to be taken that way. What I said was that these people can’t be counted on–which leaves open the possibility that they actually might show up and work (or vote) for a better world beyond one or two generations. And if they do, I’m not going to discourage it or be the one who points out the apparent contradiction. It’s the Harold Camping types who will do that.

By: jsimeon

jsimeon — Tue, 24 May 2011 18:26:19 +0000

Good point. We shouldn’t make the assumption that this 20% are uneducated or fundamentalist or non-voting. I would disagree with the assumption that these people by necessity make the implicit argument in their head: (a) Jesus/the end of the world is coming soon; (b) if the end is soon, then a sustainable future is not important :: therefore, a sustainable future is not important. –Unless the research does connect this particular religious belief with their social conduct–

While I wouldn’t want to defend the religious beliefs of this 20%, I find the assumption that they must pathologically reject working for a better world somewhat prejudiced.

By: Ted Johnson

Ted Johnson — Tue, 24 May 2011 18:07:32 +0000

Great comment. Thanks, Dano.

By: Dano

Dano — Tue, 24 May 2011 18:03:44 +0000

I am a Christ Lover and this topic has me quite interested. I was all riled up to write a big lengthy reply and then I read one of the quoted articles (gave everything you owned to Harold Camping). The last 4 paragraphs do a very nice job of saying what I was feeling. Turns out I still wrote a lengthy response. But, I am letting you know that there may be a out lier population of the 20% that believe something like this.

I believe in a Christ that would have “ordinary radicals” following Him. I always do well to remember that Jesus was humble. He was the ruler of the Universe before He was born in dumpy barn, washed filth off of peasants feet and then died a criminals death.

I ride because of the overflow of joy that Christ has given me. It is then this joy (not fear of being smote) that compels me to ride, and that is a VERY freeing thing. It plays out like this.

The most relevant way to thank Christ for the earth that He created and that I enjoy is, to take care of it! If he is coming back tomorrow, then this is all the more reason to care for it now.

Ted, IF I was to believe that Jesus was coming back in my lifetime, I would certainly want Him to find me riding my bike to work.

p.s. Great job on the post, very well written and on a topic that people are obviously interested in.

By: John

John — Tue, 24 May 2011 12:43:23 +0000

It’s truly amazing what people are duped into believing. I got a kick out of all the Jesus is coming people making fun of the rapture people. I don’t see any difference between the two. I realize how powerful the indoctrination into beliefs can be, especially when it’s full force is directed at very young children.

It was difficult at times but I managed to protect my two kids from religion and they don’t have to carry all the baggage that comes with those beliefs. If only we could get it out of our government. Imagine how much better we would become.

By: Vineyard Dave

Vineyard Dave — Tue, 24 May 2011 09:58:09 +0000

Ted

This was a very interesting, well thought out and a very well written piece.

I’m not a Christian and I must add that there was no snoring at this key board either.

I’m not a non-Christian deity worshiper, Mother Nature, Gaiea etc, but my 18 year old daughter is named Gaia after the Earth Mother goddess from Greek creation myths. It’s a lovely name.

This great expectation led to great disappointment. It has happened to many times to count and always lead to disappointment.

The largest expectation ever recorded for the return of Christ happened in the mid 19th Century. Many tens of thousands (some number it in the hundreds of thousands in America and Europe) gave away all they had and bought ascension robes and stood on the hill tops and waited.

Many of the present day Christian denominations came forth from this event.

The United States Congress, for three days debated as to how they would hand over power to Jesus.

As for me, I thought it so sad as to how present day believers, the followers of Camping, looked with great relief to the end. The end of responsibility for their lives, their future, the environment and the planet.

The cheapest price for regular gasoline here on Island is $4.49/9.
Motor vehicle traffic is dramatically down, bicycle traffic is up and the roads are a delight to ride on.