Page 2
The Blue Banner
May 2,2002
Opinions
The Bible provides
a solution for the
environmental crisis
'Art vonEeh^
Unified Solar Cohmimsi^!:
The environmental crisis is unde
niable. The water, air and land are
polluted. We even contaminate our
own food.
The largest extinction period ever
is now, with human activity to
blame. Global warming threatens
the entire biosphere. The list goes
on. Yet, Christians are called to put
nothing before God, not even His
creation.
Consequently, many environmen
talists have seen the Bible as the
root of our present dilemma. The
famous article, “The Historical
Roots of our Ecological Crisis,” ar
gues a transcendent God removes
Christians from nature, allowing
for easy exploitation thereof.
Rarely are the ecological implica
tions of Greek and Roman philoso
phy considered. However vast the
Greco-Roman impact, Christian
ity repeatedly receives the charge of
guilt.
The frequent response is the adop
tion of a pantheistic worldview.
Pantheism, which equates Creator
with creation, is repeatedly empha
sized as a foundation for an envi
ronmental ethic.
Pantheism leaves no real place for
man or any individual part of the
universe. This view emphasizes no
more importance on humans than
on a rock.
In theory, we are left with no
placement. In practice, one may
find alienation from an indifferent
and cruel, natural world.
As part of the natural world, hu
mans are capable of the most de
praved and selfish behavior toward
each other and nature.
Counter to the pantheistic goal of
elevation of nature, man and na
ture arrive at an equal depth, not
height.
The Bible offers the answer to the
environmental crisis.
Along with grace (salvation
through God), which uniquely sets
Christianity apart from all other
religions (salvation through self),
the Christian foundation for envi
ronmental stewardship is set apart
as well.
The notion of human dominion
over earth has been historically mis
interpreted.
The true translation from the He
brew is “Godly dominion,” which
denotes a care for creation.
We have a serious responsibility
to care for the earth, not a thought
less freedom to destroy it.
We are a part of creation in that
we are created ourselves, but we,
made in the likeness of God’s im
age, are also set apart from creation.
We are part of creation and simul
taneously distinguishable from it,
which is evident in our immense
capacity to alter it.
We have the task of addressing
nature with the same care as God,
which requires the council of the
Holy Spirit. This is not to be taken
lightly.
In Genesis 9:8, God speaks to
Noah saying, “I now establish my
covenant with you and with your
descendents after you and with ev
ery living creature.”
This covenant applies equally to
mankind and nature.
Later, in verse 13, God refers to
“the covenant between me and the
earth.”
So clearly, God values nature. It is
important to Him.
The Bible repeatedly refers to na
ture. The book of Isaiah, in chapter
55, states, “You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace; the moun
tains and the hills will burst into
song before you, and all of trees of
the field will clap their hands.”
Luke 12:27 recounts Jesus saying,
“Consider how the lilies grow. They
do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you
that not even Solomon in all his
splendor was dressed like one of
these.”
Revelations 11:18, speaks of “de
stroying those who destroy the
earth.”
A challenge is now laid out for
Christians and secular environmen
talists alike.
For the Christian, there is a call to
responsibility. This requires a
change in views about nature and
the way in which our lives affect
God’s creation that he cares for. It
is time to hear out and respond to
ecological concerns.
For the secular environmentalist,
possibly burned by the church, there
is a call to reconsider. Christianity
has a responsibility toward the en
vironment, and a call to action.
If you are honestly seeking the
truth regarding Jesus, listen to his
words.
It is written in Matthew 7:7. “Ask
and it will be given to you; seek and
you will find; knock and the door
will be opened to you. For everyone
who asks receives; he who seeks
finds; and to him who knocks, the
door will be opened.”
Nothing in the Opinions section
necessarily reflects the opinion of
the entire Blue Banner staff, advi
sor, or the university faculty, ad
ministration or staff Unsigned
editorials reflect the opinion of a
majority of The Blue Banner edi
torial board.
Solution for Israel not found in violence
Avi Mechanic: It is sad you have
chosen to make your argument
against me personal one. I have a
standing order not to answer a re
sponse, lest my character is made
libel, like about me being some sort
of pro-Nazi sympathizer. Shame
on you.
First of all, do not compare me to
Louis Farrakhan. I have neither loy
alties nor relation to him, nor am I
of his Muslim persuasion or beliefs.
Secondly, your idea to have the
Palestinians forcibly assimilated into
the surrounding Arab Nations is
akin the all-white government of
the 19th century United States in
sisting on the destruction, collec
tion and displacement of Native
Americans (called Indians) for the
sake of self-defense and manifest
destiny.
That same idea was used to en
slave blacks. Isn’t it nice that some
one must first have a claim on a
piece of land, in order to have the
God-given human right to live
there?
Thirdly, Mr. Mechanic, I am
overtly aware of how many types of
Jews exist, as well as how many
types of Muslims exist (include the
millions of white Muslims in the
eastern European nations).
Fourth, I have every right to dis
agree with Israel, in regards to its
treatment of Palestine, seeing as
Israel has the bigger weapons, the
most money and the greater means
to annihilate the Palestinians, just
as Nazi Germany decimated the
Jews (a history no human should be
proud of, as I have attempted- to no
avail- to state before).
Your- along with several other
people’s- attention was not on my
words expressing the disbelief that
all Jews agreed with Sharon, but on
my statements in regards to Israel
mirroring its own worst enemy from
the past- Nazi Germany.
That hit a terrible nerve. There
must be truth in it, somewhere.
Your anti-Arab statements reveal
the very same mirrored hatred for
any form of people or government
that differs from your own religious
belief.
Any nation has a right to defend
itself from attack (including Israel
and Palestine), but should never
use that idea as an excuse to incur-
militarily and religiously- upon an
other people.
You are no different than the one
you call your enemy, Mr. Mechanic.
I would have never called you, per
sonally, a Nazi as you’ve done me.
For anyone who knows my charac
ter, that idea is just as ludicrous as
the idea of me being anti-gay.
When I have to call myself an
American, Mr. Mechanic, and then
deal with the same kind of imperi
alistic attitudes that enslaved my
father’s ancestors, nearly obliter
ated my mother’s people (the
Blackfoot and Cherokee tribes) and
disenfranchised my entire heritage
nearly up to present day, it is diffi
cult seeing the positive nature and
principles for which our very gov
ernment was founded. That is it,
however.
This government was merely
founded upon principles of speech
and religious freedom and self-de
termination.
However, it has been a long and
difficult struggle, judging from the
attitudes toward different peoples,
life ways and religions, for the
United States of America (the
bloody bloated empire that it is) to
actually conduct itself in a manner
befitting our original Constitution.
My concern in life is not about the
Jews, the Blacks, theNative Ameri
cans, the Palestinians or even the
Europeans (or any other part of this
planet I missed).
My concern is for all humanity.
No piece of land, no matter how
overrated by ancient, misogynistic,
male-centered culture, is more God-
given than another, Mr. Mechanic.
Our entire home world was made
by the same God(dess), no matter
howmany different formsor names
She/He takes.
We all live on chosen land, and are
all choosen people.
To suggest that only one group
and one place is better than or has
more significance over others is ar
rogant, racist, religiously intolerant
and overwhelmingly destructive in
every way.
You, and many others, somehow
think a “Final Solution” type of fix
(the expulsion you spoke of) over
the Palestinian debacle will be the
end all and be all of biblical proph-
ecy.
I tell you this: That collection of
stories has caused more grief, death
and destruction on the face of this
planet than anything else ever cre
ated by human hands, including
the thermonuclear bomb.
I commend those who Have found
the spirit and the will to pull out the
peaceful aspects ofJudeo-Christian-
Muslim beliefs. I call the situation
with Israel and Palestine as I see it.
A military solution WILL NOT
WORK. A political solution WILL
NOT WORK. The only thing that
WILL WORK is for ALL OF
THEM, ISRAEL AND PALES
TINE, TO LAY DOWN THEIR
ARMS AND COME TO PEACE
IN COMPLETE AND TOTAL
COEXISTENCE.
If you say it will not work, it is
because you do not wish it to work,
Mr. Mechanic.
My message goes the same for
total pro-Palestinian groups that
want nothing but the same, total
war and destruction. Neither side
will have that land, singularly. Both
sides must come to peace within
the land of ancient Judea or annihi
late themselves totally. There are
no other options. God is merely an
observer of human actions, not an
active participant in the mounting
bloodshed, as so many of you want
Her/Him to be.
The nation with the biggest guns
and most money needs to be hu
man enough and act first. Try first
to return disputed lands, pull out of
occupied territories and stop treat
ing the Palestinians as second class
citizens.
I might remind you that it was a
Zionist teenager (working for what
ever right-wing Israeli organization
or group) that assassinated former
Prime Minister Rabin on the eve of
peace with Palestine. You’ve con
veniently neglected to recall that
fact.
Being that I will always be an
American, whether living in Brit
ain or North Carolina, I will always
relish the fact I have a say in the
matter and a choice.
I will not be told that I must
support Israel (or anyone else, for
that matter), lest I be some sort of
anti-Semitic.
If that is how you feel, so be it.
That is your God-given right.
It is not your right to libel my
name, personally, however. Your
defamation of my character, in or
der to support your stance, was
uncalled for, Mr. Mechanic. I take
legal issue with that.
There are those who have said,
“thank God” for your comments
against other nations of people, Mr.
Mechanic.
To me, that is akin to thanking
God for allowing the continuation
of religious and racial war, at the
eternal expense of everlasting peace.
Be well on your trip to Israel, Mr.
Mechanic, and go very carefully.
The Blue Banner welcomes submissions of letters and articles for publication. Letters should not exceed 300 words.
Letters for publication should also contain the author’s signature.classification,major or other relationship with UNCA.
Sorry, we will not accept submissions of anonymous letters to the editor.
The deadline for letters is noon on Tuesday. If you have a submission, you may send it to The Blue Banner, Karpen 244,
One University Heights, AsheviUe N.C. 28804 or to banner@unca.edu. Please include your name, contact information,
classification and major/position.
The passing of the baton
As the semester ends and Banner staff members graduate or prepare for graduation,
the time to pass on old titles to new individuals is here.
The Blue Banner would like to congratulate the following new editorial board for
the Fall 2002 semester.
■ Rachel Crumpler-Editor in Chief
■ Ed Fickle-News Editor ■ Stuart Gaines-Features Editor
■ Elizabeth Moe-Managing Editor
■ Jennifer Dintsch-Advertising Manager
Whitney Setser-Copy Editor
Jason McGill-Circulation Manager
Congratulations to Stuart Gaines, Lana Coffey, Sarah-Vance Goodman and Shelley
Broglin, who all received awards for articles they wrote for The Blue Banner over the
past semester.
We would also like to congratulate fellow staff members Luke Knox, Shelley
Broglin, Rae Stephens and Scott Adams on their graduation from UNCA May 18.