Christianity vs. The Planet

[Amazonis]

Christianity is responsible for most of the environmental damage done to earth (christians consume between 40 and 65 percent of all resources consumed). However,it is hard to imagine why they would treat "gods earth" like this. After all, don't they view it as a gift from god to them? They do, and thats the problem - christians beleive the earth is purely for humans, and that all other life was created to sustain them.

This reasionably breif article is an interesting perspective on the matter:

http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/snails.htm

I find some of the quotes in this article very disturbing, esspecially this one from the book that over one billion people admire.

Jebus had this to say in the bible:

Be fruitfull and increase your numbers and fill the earth. The fear and dead of you will fall apon all the breasts of the earth and all the birds in the air, apong every creature that moves along the ground, and apon all the fish in the sea: they are given into your hands
If this isn't a justification for environmental vandalism, what is? Millions of people literaly worship the teaching of this man, who is basically stating that humans should reproduce so much that the planet suffers immensly from it, because the planet is all yours.

And this is proof that this ignorant beleif is still well and truly alive:

A certain cardinal on World Environment Day:

"The earth exists for the human purpose and not vice versa. The focus must be on the sacredness of the human person, not on snails and whales"
The one good thing about the day the earth becomes unimhabitable will be the looks on these people faces, when the beloved Jebus does not fall from the sky to save them all from their stupidity.

[Evil_Mage_Ra]

christians consume between 40 and 65 percent of all resources consumed
Do Christians also make up 40 to 65 percent of all consumers?

[Amazonis]

If by consumers you meen the entire human polulation, then no. Their are somewhere between one billion and two billion christians on earth, out of six billion people. Asuming there are 1.5 billion christians in the world, they make up 25 percent of the population. 25 percent of the earth consuming approximately 52.5 prcent of the earths resources means that they are consuming twice as much as everyone else.

Another usefull fact is that while the U.S has only 5 percent of the human population, they consume 30 percent the energy consumed.

[Evil_Mage_Ra]

So the original ~50% resources consumed figure was for all the world's resources (just so we're clear)?

Also, how do Christians compare with non-Christians in regions of the world where Christianity is the dominant religion? I'm just concerned that, for example, the only reason why Christians apparently over-consume is because they tend to live in places that tend to over-consume anyway (America, Europe, etc.). I have no idea if that's true or not, but it's something to consider.

[Amazonis]

To summarise:

Christians make up 25% of the earths population, but consume around 50% of its resources.

Does this answer your question. I wasn't exactly sure on what you meant.

America was founded by people with christian beleifs. They wanted to develope the land, an idea that stems from their christian beleifs. They created a country that still has those conservative views for the most part. So really, Americans do consume more because their culture was made around developing.

[Evil_Mage_Ra]

Sorry if I was unclear. What I mean is that what if the only reason Christians appear to be consuming too much is that they tend to live in areas that over-consume anyway? That is, if I were to look at America alone, and compare Christians to non-Christians, would I find that Christians still use a disproportionate amount of resources?

Finally, how does America (for example) compare to a primarily non-Christian yet industrialized country, like Japan?

[Amazonis]

You would probably find that there was no great diference. However, the culture of America has generally came about due to Christianity, and even if they are cunsuming more because of country, not religeon, they still often have religion as a core basis of their beleifs on the environment.

[Little Earth Stamper]

This may be slightly off-topic, but I've been wondering: Could Bibleman beat Captain Planet in a fight?

[Rhinoqulous]

This may be slightly off-topic, but I've been wondering: Could Bibleman beat Captain Planet in a fight?
Wow, a battle of lame superheroes. I don't know, this question is so beautiful that I've been rendered thoughtless. Wow.

Rhinoq

[Evil_Mage_Ra]

And besides, Captain Planet would definitely kick Bibleman's ass, since it's been scientifically proven that mullets rock.

[Red Mage]

Yeah. Captain Planet has the powers of Earth, Wind, and Fire. And we all know that Earth, Wind, and Fire was an AWESOME disco band.

[Sir Sin-O-Lot]

And besides, Captain Planet would definitely kick Bibleman's ass, since it's been scientifically proven that mullets rock.
Biblema would use the power of Jesus.

[CFett]

That's a good article, thanx Amazonis
Anyone else have any morally questionable stuff that "Men of God" have done that we can use as ammunition?

[Philboid Studge]

Yeah. Captain Planet has the powers of Earth, Wind, and Fire. And we all know that Earth, Wind, and Fire was an AWESOME disco band.
Disco? DISCO!? They were kick-ass FUNK, or at worst, R&B (Unless you count "Boogie Wonderland," but every band is entitled to one steaming pile of polyester.)

[Amazonis]

That's a good article, thanx Amazonis
Anyone else have any morally questionable stuff that "Men of God" have done that we can use as ammunition?
Theres a few more interesting articles on the site of the article.

[God, my arse]

"The earth exists for the human purpose and not vice versa. The focus must be on the sacredness of the human person, not on snails and whales"
Who said that? because that is the most short sighted, morally and environmentally irresponsible statement one could ever make. Because without the snails or whales there is no environment there is no humans to be "sacred". He probably made thae statement because he believes that it won't matter there will always be heaven for people to live in. WOn't he be surprised on his death bed.

[Amazonis]

"The earth exists for the human purpose and not vice versa. The focus must be on the sacredness of the human person, not on snails and whales"
Who said that? because that is the most short sighted, morally and environmentally irresponsible statement one could ever make. Because without the snails or whales there is no environment there is no humans to be "sacred". He probably made thae statement because he believes that it won't matter there will always be heaven for people to live in. WOn't he be surprised on his death bed.
The article just sais a 'certain cardinal' said that on World Environment Day (which probably means he's just some nobody). However, just because the other cardinals (and the pope's) don't say these things doesn't mean they don't agrea with them anyway. Christianity is very foccussed on humans and humans only - its just a pitty that these people have so much control over the planet.