OP-ED: [IPL] Oregonian Op-Ed by Three Lutherans!

[RI Interfaith Power and Light]

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Nathanael Stice

To: interfaithp...@npogroups.org

Cc: jehre...@aol.com ; jehre...@gmail.com

Sent: Sunday, October 04, 2009 12:09 PM

Subject: [IPL] Oregonian Op-Ed by Three Lutherans!

Hi All, 

It's an exciting Sunday for Oregon IPL.   We finally got a piece on ACES in our statewide paper.  It's a brilliantly inspiring piece written by Pastor Dave Nagler of Bend (central Oregon), and signed onto by two others.  It was originally rejected by the Bend paper so we decided to gather a few more signatures and try for the Oregonian.  

Blessings, 

Nate Stice

http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2009/10/supporting_clean_energy_bill_i_1.html

Supporting clean energy bill is a political and moral issue

By Guest Opinion

October 03, 2009, 3:30PM

 
 By David Nagler, Mark Brocker and Brian Brandt 
 
Let's take a moment and dream together. Imagine a healthy economy that creates clean energy jobs for our community. Envision Oregon as the state that leads the nation in wind, solar, hydroelectric and biomass projects. Dream of a time in which the United States leads the world as the shining example of how responsible legislation protects the earth's gifts for future generations. 

Now let's talk about how we can realize these dreams in our time. This last Wednesday the Senate started work on the American Clean Energy and Security Act -- a bill that seeks to provide clean energy jobs, reduce carbon emissions, and provide assistance for low-income families with their energy costs. This important legislation needs to be vigorously supported by all people who care about the earth and our nation's need for sustainable energy independence. 

This is not just a political issue but it also is a moral one. It has to do with the soul of our society. The scriptures tell us, "The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it." (Psalm 24:1) It does not belong to us. We are caretakers in God's garden. To act as though it is ours to use up and destroy is to misunderstand our place in the universe. Conversely, acting responsibly and compassionately toward the earth and her resources restores us to our right role as children of God. 

So we are inviting people of good will throughout out community to contact U.S. Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden and encourage them to support this legislation. In fact, ask them to strengthen the bill by closing loopholes that allow some of the worst polluters to continue to destroy the environment. 

We know with increasing clarity the detrimental effects our current policies are having on the environment. We cannot place our faith in some future technological magic wand. We are convinced that future generations will judge our decisions and actions on this issue. Did we summon the courage and clear vision to restore the Earth's resources and provide a bright future for them, or did we fumble and bicker ourselves into inaction that leads to more environmental degradation? The choice is clear. May we find our moral compass and pass along the gifts of creation to our children's children. 

David Nagler is the pastor of Nativity Lutheran Church in Bend. Mark Brocker is pastor of St. Andrew's Lutheran in Beaverton. Brian Brandt is pastor of Central Lutheran Church in Portland. 

 

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