What Are You Doing about It?

This morning I rode my bicycle to work. I admit that I enjoyed the ride. The temperature was cool, the breeze was with me and the traffic was relatively light. I saw one other cyclist who looked like he might also be commuting. Traffic picked up as I went along.

I wondered: Do these one-person-per-car commuters understand what they are doing to the environment? Exhaust fumes flew all around. I really don't know what the drive to work costs our environment. I also wondered whether or not these people would say that the environment needed to be protected.

Before I go on I must admit something to you. I don't believe that mankind is the major contributor to global warming. In fact, there are some dubious findings which support this theory. I believe that, like many scientific theories, that anthropomorphic global warming theory is faith based. A faith based theory gathers whatever information necessary to prove the basic tenet of the faith and either disregards or ignores anything that doesn't fit into that tenet. (Yes, I realize that my own faith system does the exact same thing. I just want those who claim to be so factually scientific to realize they are acting on faith too.)

That being said, I still believe very strongly in preserving the environment. I recycle, turn my thermostat to a warmer temperature in the summer and ride my bicycle to work. I believe that there are better sources of energy that may have not been utilized effectively as yet. I understand that burning fossil fuels fills our planet with pollution. I just don't have to be scared by wild stories of New York sinking in a rising ocean to act conservatively.

So, here's my thing: If the majority of people believe that Global Warming is true, why don't they do something about it rather than just talking about it? You see, I may be wrong and the planet will not suffer because of my view of Global Warming. But if the Global Warming believers are right, the planet won't be in better because of their belief if they don't do something about it.

So, I am forced to believe that there are a lot of people who say they believe but they really don't. A small group of people actually believe.

Now, if I take that same logic to my own faith in Jesus Christ, would I come up with the same conclusion? I think so. There are a lot of people who say they believe, buy the shirts and bumper stickers and go to church but aren't doing one thing to bring others to Christ.

I really understand what James said. Evidently, this saying you believe and doing nothing about it has lasted for a very long time.

James 2:18 (ESV)
¹⁸  But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.