The Vatican vs. global warming
March 11, 2008
After considering a post suggesting that global warming may be a mere random upsurge in temperatures rather than a result of human intervention in the environment (now postponed for a later date) I came across a CNN article regarding the Vatican’s new list of sins; one of which is pollution. The head of the Apostolic Penitentiary who “issues decisions on matters of conscience and grants absolutions” commented on the matter.
To the best of my knowledge at no point in time has a religious leader—of any faith—demonstrated credibility in a scientific field based purely on their theological doctrine. Why then is it so widely acceptable for them to pass judgement on such matters?
Entry Filed under: Environment, Religion. Tags: Apostolic Penitentiary, CNN, global warming, Vatican.
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1.
Aaron | March 11, 2008 at 2:47 pm
The church has never claimed to be scientific. The church believes that “murder” is wrong. Never have they laid out what it means to be “dead” but murdering is still a sin. The new seven deadly social sins say the same as before. Its up to us to define, truthfully, what pollution is. The church has merely indentified it as a sin.
Frankly the new list has been a long time coming due to globalization and the growing impedance of the institution
Interestingly enough, the Church as a whole is able to be called a “sinful Church” considering it is an institution.
2.
shlog | March 18, 2008 at 11:07 am
If that is the case how can absolution be granted without a definition? Doing so would be applying an unverifiable and scientifically illogical theological paradigm to a scientific matter.
3.
madscientist | July 3, 2008 at 8:27 pm
wow now, hold on a minute. “the church has never claimed to be scientific” are you sure you wanna say that? i seem to remember a couple historical instances where the church made scientific claims. i.e. the world is the center of the universe. and they proved this theory by burning its opponents. i seem to think they occasionally weigh in on the origins of man subject too. so like i said, are you sure you wanna make that statement?