Pope Francis demands UN respect rights of environment over 'thirst for power'

[Bubba_Switzler]

A day after making history by becoming the first pope to address Congress, Francis for the first time asserted that nature – as well as humanity – had rights.

“It must be stated that a true ‘right of the environment’ does exist,” Francis said.

theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/25/pope-francis-asserts-right-environment-un

 

[SuperLuigi]

Sounds good. We stop Cap and Trade so that it doesn’t incentivize poor people to cut down the rainforest and plant the variety of trees that collect the most carbon.

 

[lynnvinc]

I was a bit surprised that in his speech to the UN, Pope Francis took up this issue of the rights of the environment, for which he gave 2 reasons:
(1) humans, tho uniquely beyond mere physical beings, are nonetheless part of the environment and depend on it for their physical well-being; and (2) God’s creatures, especially living creatures, have intrinsic value. See bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-34363704

This latter is an idea also brought forth by BXVI in some of his writings on the environment. And it should be common sense arising from Christian thought. And in contemplation this intrinsic value of God’s creation becomes even more apparent – a value that goes beyond a mere human utilitarian value.

In contemplating this, it occurred to me that God also has rights.

I think those who would dismiss nature and the environment and their interconnectedness with and duties toward the environment and others would also dismiss God, take Him for granted and just plain forget about Him and that all flows from Him.

 

[Deltadeliquent]

OK, I’m liking this Pope a little more now.

 

[irishpatrick]

May the Lord forgive me, I cannot remain quiet any longer.

I fear–truly fear that the Pope’s often repeated emphasis on climate change and the environment has given the left the cover they have wanted for years.

Let me explain and then tell me where I am wrong, please.

It has been held for many years that Catholics should not vote for a pro-choice candidate unless there existed a reason that was proportionately greater than the evil of abortion. During those same years, Catholics were able to claim that other than nuclear war, abortion is the greatest evil or threat.

However–

Now that the Pope has thrown his considerable weight behind climate change, and now that he has made it seem to be such a dire and pressing matter, it seems to me that the prolife cause has been thrown back 30 years. Catholics on the left will now vote for pro-choice candidates feeling as if they have permission from the Pope since climate change is now elevated to a higher position than abortion (it makes no difference if the Vatican releases 100 statements saying different, the Pope has spoken and that is all they will hear).

I am truly sad for the lives that will continue to die through the evil of abortion.

PLEASE – PLEASE – PLEASE – tell me why I am wrong about this. I am truly eager to be proven wrong.

 

[sarah_j]

Quote:

A day after making history by becoming the first pope to address Congress, Francis for the first time asserted that nature – as well as humanity – had rights.

Chilling.
I find it hard to believe that the leader of the Catholic Church would assert
that a non-human entity(?) has “rights”.

Yes, humans are tasked with caring for creation.
That isn’t the same thing as conferring “rights” upon inanimate objects and
upon animals.

 

[canis73]

theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/25/pope-francis-asserts-right-environment-un

Bubba, I apologize for my ignorance, but what exactly does a pagan catholic believe in, that differentiates him from a traditional (in the broad sense) catholic?

 

[mikekle]

Chilling.
I find it hard to believe that the leader of the Catholic Church would assert
that a non-human entity(?) has “rights”.

Yes, humans are tasked with caring for creation.
That isn’t the same thing as conferring “rights” upon inanimate objects and
upon animals.

I hear you, I feel the same way, Im not surprised to see so many non-catholics on FB now thinking nature is the NUMBER ONE priority for the catholic church, I had to laugh at some of the stuff going around, environmental activists are LOVING this.

Im shocked someone as smart as Francis is said to be, has not recognized that climate change is a hoax issue. Sure its ok to care about the planet and nature, but making it the major topic in once in a lifetime speeches, is ridiculous.

 

[sallybutler]

I hear you, I feel the same way, Im not surprised to see so many non-catholics on FB now thinking nature is the NUMBER ONE priority for the catholic church, I had to laugh at some of the stuff going around, environmental activists are LOVING this.

Im shocked someone as smart as Francis is said to be, has not recognized that climate change is a hoax issue. Sure its ok to care about the planet and nature, but making it the major topic in once in a lifetime speeches, is ridiculous.

As a former Girl Scout, I was taught that you should leave a camping site in better shape than you found it. Whether climate change is a hoax or not, can you not agree that we should give our children and grandchildren a better planet then we were born into?

P.S. I lived in Pasadena in the fifties and sixties. The smog levels were the same as what is currently in China. It was the equivalent of smoking a pack of cigarettes a day. Is that what you want to go back to?

We moved to SF in 1966. My 8 year old brother grew 6 inches in 6 months. Amazing what clean air and oxygen can do for a person. BTW, most 8 year olds boys don’t grow that much. He almost caught up with my 9 year old brother.