Winding Up

Winding up - as in "wind" energy, and "winding" up this class. Ahhh, the English language. I liked the session we had on wind energy. Wind energy has always made me very curious. It seems like such an easy answer, it was good to hear some more facts about it. I am in favor of wind energy, even though the towers are big and conspicuous. I like the idea of wind farms... so that there won't be wind turbines everywhere you look, and we won't ruin all of our natural views. I really hope this form of energy takes off - that it becomes more affordable to build turbines and that more companies go into the wind energy business. Wouldn't it be great if every town had a wind farm to supply its own power? Crazy! I also like the thought of local and rural people having more of the smaller turbines, like the one at Reith Village. I've wanted one for years and it was good to learn about some of the criteria to watch out for, like the amount of space around the turbine that has to be kept clear in case it falls. I am a little worried about the noise pollution. I really like the turbine at Reith, but it can sound a bit like a little jet engine. I do want a quiet backyard....

As for winding up this class, whew! what a ride. I think this is a great class for this program. History and current issues are always shaping the face of environmental education as well as how the public perceives it. This class definitely brought me laughter, sometimes brought me tears, and most certainly brought me lots of information to expand my knowledge. Good class!

Conviction, Action, and Food

Hearing a presentation about wind energy in Indiana was interesting and informative. It is hard to imagine how large these structures must be even though there were comparisons given. Although wind power is slowly becoming more common, I am not sure how I feel on the multiple ones that are springing up within the boundaries of a few counties. I am sure there has been opposition from some, as we saw evidenced by the white splotches on the county map. These windmills completely change the look of the landscape, but can generate mass quantites of energy. It's an interesting dilemma! Perhaps if the wind farms were farther apart and not consolidated in such a small area I would agree with their existence more. I wonder if there will be any longterm ramifications of individuals living in this area generations down the road? Nevertheless, it was an interesting presentation that showed how some companies are attempting to fix our excessive energy use of coal.

The panel discussion with key individuals associated with Merry Lea was a delightful way to finish out the discussion/lecture portion of our class. It reiterated the fact that although much of what we talked about in class focused on the doom and gloom of environmental education, these people are visible evidence of what advocating for environmental education looks like in real life. Through the sharing of their struggles and hopes they brought the entire course into perspective. We will be met with opposition when sent out into the field, but by remembering the hope we possess and striving for a better world, we can all accomplish great things! (It was also neat to hear once again how focused we are all becoming on what we want to get out of this program!)

Finally, the food program with Jennifer was interesting as well. She shed some light on different ways that stories in the Bible correspond to communion and the food we eat. I look forward to taking a look at the curriculum we received! Food choice is one way that we can all make an immediate change to better our world.

Thank you to all for the great discussions while in this class! I am glad we are able to openly discuss some of these issues with each other.

CHristian Paradox

Looks like this article really struck everyone! When I began reading the article, I thought McKibben's idea of "Christian behavior" was going to cause problems in getting his point across. The world of Christianity is so varied and diverse, and Christian values range so dramatically between countries, denominations, congregations, and even individuals, it's fair to say that there is no one "Christian behavior." The bible is open to interpretation and creating a culture based on teachings in the bible do not necessarily dictate one prescribed set of behavioral standards. I think this is problematic, because if we think of all Christians as one large "family," all part of the same tradition and culture, then suddenly people like Pat Robertson get put in the same "family" as Kathy Shantz, and I don't think this is fair.

However, for the purposes of this article, McKibben has defined "Christian teachings" in fairly simple terms: Jesus said to love your god, and to treat your neighbor as yourself. Not all Christians think this is the most important lesson of the bible. Like he points out, many churches now find gay rights and abortion more worthy causes than loving one's neighbor. This is a shame, and I am constantly disappointed with the direction American culture is going in terms of judgmental hatred using the bible as a defense. I don't think that Christianity is to blame, however. Not all nations that are majority Christian behave the same way Americans do. I think there are many factors that have contributed to the evolution of the American self-centered, wasteful, aggressive, over-consuming angry America that we see in the media and even from our neighbors and families sometimes. He makes an interesting point, though, that Christianity has had a major role in shaping the values of this country, and so we should examine the role Christianity has to play in how we treat each other and the planet (similar to what Lynn White suggested, in some ways).

Jesus also embraced the poor, poverty, and was, essentially, an incredibly radical member of society. What does it take to live a life this radical in the United States now? The readings about radical thinkers and activists reminded me just how hard it is to live a life outside the norm, in a world where the "norm" is flashed across our television screens and billboards and radio constantly. "If you buy these things you'll be happier! If you wear these clothes you'll be happier! If you rid the world of gay people you'll be happier!" Like Greg Mortensen, in order to do something different and radical, you have to go against EVERYONE's advice! Everyone else does it like the "norm," and therefore all of them will tell you it's wrong. It's hard to move in a different direction than the norm. Jesus did it. Bill McKibben makes an excellent point: why aren't followers of Christianity doing the same?

He also makes a great point about health care: would Jesus want health care for only those members of society who can afford it? Would he want a health care system that favored large insurance corporations and left the poor and needy in the dust because in an "every man for himself" and "we'll help those who help themselves" sort of plan? Countries like Sweden, where everyone has access to health care and education, seem to be taking Jesus's teachings to heart more than the very "help the rich stay rich" policies the United States government wants to impose now. Conservatives often make the point that "we have worked hard for our money and don't want to give it to the government." I understand that there is more behind this statement than simple selfishness (thinking the government spends money irresposibly, for example, or not wanting to fund the american military), but ultimately this sort of attitude contributes to the selfish reputation Americans are so famous for around the world. Isn't it our responsibility to help OTHERS as well as ourselves? Taxes don't only go to pay for the military. They also pay for education, health care, and countless other things we need to have a healthy citizen body, which we surely don't right now. This was a great line: "It's hard to imagine a con much more audacious than making Christ the front make for a program of tax cuts for the rich or war in Iraq." AMEN.

I also thought that it was an interesting point that the states in this country that call themselves the most Christian are the ones with the highest death penalty rates. I realize that correlation does not equal causation in this case, but it is definitely worth looking at any relationship between how Christianity is interpreted and how the culture uses it in these areas, and how they treat the environment and the people around them. I don't think that the bible itself is responsible for this sort of behavior. I think it is people's interpretations of the bible that cause problems. And there is McKibben's question: why do so many Americans interpret the bible in a way that creates a self-centered, consumerist, hateful culture? I don't understand.

Bill McKibben Reading

Wow the reading for tomorrow was really good!! It really made me think about my life as a Christian and how it is so true that people do these things! I have noticed that a lot of Churches I have attended in my time do talk a lot about politics. There are definitely churches that give to the poor, and help out with the community, but it seems that there is an overwhelming discussion of just gay marriage and abortion. I also have noticed that the Christian community seems to be somewhat exclusive as he cited. They love each other, but not others. Or, they feel for the poor but do nothing. I feel embarrassed and bad for in a way putting down my fellow Christians, but I am one of those people who had my clique of friends in High School and ignored making friends with people of other religions. I did not think that other religions were bad, I just lived in a community that was predominantly Christian. I worked on mission trips, and helped out with the food drives, and things like that, but it was not until college that I realized the true reality of the world. I kind of lived in my perfect little bubble not realizing how bad the state of the world really was. I think a way to combat this is education. As McKibben cited at the beginning of his article, many people cannot tell you what all the Ten Commandments are or the four writers of the Gospels. We are going to need to educate people of the true meaning and teachings of the Bible and work together as a community. I think that Environmental Education could help with this. Educating people on the state of the environment will help them to better learn what we need to be doing as Christians. I believe that we as the biggest nation in the world can do better, and actually make it happen!

thats what Ben Franklin said...

seems that everyone liked the reading about the christian paradox. i generally don't follow trends, but for such a brilliant article i will make an exception. i find it amazing (and not so much in a good way) that two-thirds of Americans think that the quote "God helps those who help themselves" is a biblical one. i will readily admit that i do not read the bible on a regular basis (or even an irregular basis) but i do know that it was Ben Franklin who said that. (as i read that part i joked to myself "well of course that's in the Bible! the four gospels, after all, were written by Matthew, Mark, Luke and Ben Franklin. oh wait, no. John. it was John. i always get those two confused!")
in any case, i just find it hard to believe that people would think that Jesus or God went around saying "hey, you look affluent, let me help you pay for your groceries." the whole point of Jesus telling people to love their neighbor as themselves was to remind us that we arent alone in this world, we need to think of how our actions effect everyone. my neighbor is not only the person in the next house. it is anyone and everyone who needs help. (and just as a side note, since i'm talking about helping people who need help, i strongly encourage everyone to donate money to help the people of Haiti.)

How can we say "Stay warm", but not provide a cloak

Bill McKibbon's article, in some ways, reminds me of the Letter of James where he talked about wishing someone in need to stay warm and well fed, but not doing anything to actually help that person to stay warm and well fed. Mr. McKibbon succinctly challenged our hypocricy. We do say a lot of things about being good Christians, but do not follow through with our actions. This is one of the things that I am most embarrassed about, being a Christian. I fully understand the critiques, they are well warranted.
What would happen if, as Mr. McKibbon says, a modest few of the 85% of Christians in America and the similar proportion in Canada starting making their deeds mirror their words? I think a lot of good can come out of it. This does not mean making the entire world think like us, but to just let deeds follow faith. We could have a major impact on the environmental and social issues. I have hope that we can.
Maybe I need to stop being so worried about how people will react if I said things like Mr. McKibbon did. There have been many times I wanted to. Wish me luck. Good luck to everyone as well.

A Paradox, A Paradox...

I am impressed with how well Bill McKibben can mix together the Christian faith with America's lack of Christianity, all while adding a slight hint of cynicism! I, too, find it rather depressing that although our country claims to be "Christian", many people within its borders do not live a Christian life. Our fast-paced society seems to only utilize the "Christian" label when it works for them. Much attention in the Christian bookstores really do focus on how individuals can better themselves. Obviously, our country did not become like this overnight. The tiny, subtle changes slowly creeped up, creating a generation of "believers" that cannot fully understand what Jesus was implying because they haven't been able to view the Scriptures in that way.

I admit wholeheartedly that I am NOT perfect, nor will I ever be. I will inevitably continue to fail at Christ's teachings because I am human. Does that necessarily mean that I don't TRY to adhere to them? Absolutely not! I want to consider others better than myself. I want to love my neighbor as myself, but why do I find myself sometimes putting stipulations on my actions? Jesus didn't say to help my friend, but not the starving children around the world. There are many teachings in the Bible that I will continue to spend the remainder of my life trying to uphold and live by. Every day is a learning experience that teaches me just how sinful I am and how incredibly pure Jesus is. My hope comes from the fact that although I am just a sinner, I am saved by grace.

I believe that if more people who professed to be Christians would have the opportunity to read some of Bill McKibben's writings and actually take them to heart instead of becoming defensive, our country could begin to turn the tide on the way we live our lives.