RICHARD CIZIK
Vice President for Government Affairs, National Association of Evangelicals

God told us to protect his earth
The protection of the environment is a Biblically rooted epic task straight from God. The status quo [of how we are treating the earth] is simply unacceptable. The idea that we can continue as a nation without exhibiting leadership to the rest of the world in this crisis is simply anathema. We have to be at the forefront of providing energy-efficient green solutions across the board, from autos to heating and air conditioning. We have to show leadership if India and China are to follow. Yet we're at the back of the line; that's not American. I'm a Ronald Reagan sunny conservative, and I know for a fact that evangelicals

When I mention selflessness, altruism, heroism, bravery, having hope, finding joy, loving, sacrifice, charity, forgiveness, what does your heart tell you about these things? Then why don't you live these everyday? This is where you will find your happiness; this is where you will find the answer to your question.

He is the voice behind your heart. Even though, you are afraid that if you forgive, you will be hurt. You are afraid that if you love, you will be hurt. You are afraid that heroism is too much of a risk; charity is too much of a task. Hope is dangerous. The search for love and joy could be disappointing.

Your fear is preventing you from doing God's Will, and that is what is preventing you from awakening

We are products of evolution. We are the result of 4 billion years of the evolutionary process. The Evolution of Life is the result of the continuing cooperation of Earth systems. Any system that does not participate in the complement of the entire system will eventually fail, without exception. This is death. Death in the natural world is not the result of competing species. Death is the necessary ingredient life needs to remain in harmony with the bigger process of life called Evolution. If death is not in harmony with the bigger process of life, it is not necessary, and is therefore detrimental to the process of evolution.

Darwin got it wrong in one important aspect: Survival of the Fittest. We have used this phrase to justify

God is the Creator, the Creation and the Created. God not only created a being in his image, but also created the natural world, the world the bible calls Creation, Adam and Eve called Eden, and we call Earth. If we are created in his image and likeness, is it not God's will that we are to be respecters of all life, of all creation? God's will is not that man is to have dominion over nature, but that man is to be good stewards of His Creation. Eden was created for man's pleasure, not for his disposal.

My dream for mankind is not just to live sustainably, but also to enhance the quality of life for all God's creatures. We are here to participate in the creative, divine process that has been guiding life since the first day of

Excerpt from Baird T. Spalding's "Life and Teaching of the Masters of the Far East" Vol. 3 Copyright 1935 - pg 56-60

"The cycle is fast closing in which the blind of the whole race have led the blind into a welter of ignorance, superstition, and delusion created by those who believe as human beings think, rather than that which is true and real. The civilization that has risen on the delusions and superstitions of the closing centuries is submerging itself in the welter. Through the pain and tragedy of their misappropriated creations, a new race consciousness has been conceived and is fast evolving. In fact, the door is opening wide for its new birth.

"There is no other course than to go on from one plane of consciousness to a higher and

Should you become a vegetarian?

Becoming a vegetarian stems for the most part as a result of a spiritual quest by an individual or a society who decides to stop eating meat. Progression of spirit NEVER involves BECOMING a meat eater. So, we can safely assume that consideration and implementation of becoming a non-meat eater is positive spiritual progression. As people on a spiritual path, becoming vegetarian is an unavoidable eventuality. Therefore, the sooner the better!

Now, the decision to become a vegetarian comes to the individual by two ways, one is from the IDEA that becoming a vegetarian will progress you spiritually (which is true), or the REALIZATION during your spiritual quest that you have no choice in the matter. If you are at a

Materialism/Consumerism has succeeded as becoming the reigning king of the modern world. Almost all action that mankind does is measured in some means by this intangible creation. Though mankind claims to be concerned with the well being of other creatures he shares this planet with, this concern falls very, very short of the power material wealth and its measuring ugly-stick has over it.

It is not necessary to destroy or eliminate this material mindset in order for us to become an evolved species. WE MUST BEGIN TO SEE LIFE AS THE ULTIMATE MEASURING STICK UPON WHICH ALL OUR ACTIONS ARE MEASURED. If materialism falls a short second, no matter, life reigns. Life, no matter how small and insignificant has found its place in creation and