Evangelical Leaders Join Global Warming Initiative

Despite opposition from some of their colleagues, 86 evangelical Christian leaders have decided to back a major initiative to fight global warming, saying "millions of people could die in this century because of climate change, most of them our poorest global neighbors."

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"For most of us, until recently this has not been treated as a pressing issue or major priority," the statement said. "Indeed, many of us have required considerable convincing before becoming persuaded that climate change is a real problem and that it ought to matter to us as Christians. But now we have seen and heard enough."

Forgive my cynicism, but I can't help but doubt the motivation here. It's likely that many evangelicals really do see global warming as the threat that it most certainly is. But what are they really concerned about? Has the usual gay-bashing and campaigning against evolution finally become tiresome and in need of replacement?

I doubt it.

Remember that preaching the gospel promises to be difficult in a climatologically decimated future. Climate refugees aren't very likely to become followers if they're courted by organizations who deny the very existence of their plight; better for evangelical Christians to go on record with a little prudent scare-mongering lest they lose all credibility after the Gulf Coast is pummelled by the next round of super-hurricanes.

So, will the near future be hot, eco-impoverished and awash with true believers? Stay tuned.