Eco-friendly by default
My pursuit of all things natural, and healthy has caused me to lean in a new direction…
“eco-friendly”.
Many of the products I choose to buy have this label to them, and I’m often drawn to all the “green” out there.
However, my main motivation is probably different from most that call themselves “eco-friendly”.
I will choose an eco-friendly item over a non eco-friendly item because it offers me a health benefit. Many of the things that are good for the earth, are also better for our bodies.
I choose to buy organic food because it’s healthy, but it also preserves the soil, making it possible for us to continue to farm the land for years (making it eco-friendly).
I choose to cloth diaper so that there aren’t chemicals on my baby’s body, but it also saves a diaper from going into the landfill for 500 years (making it eco-friendly).
I purchase cleaning products for my home that are free of chemicals, and their packaging was made from recycled materials (making them eco-friendly).
Lot’s of the companies that care about natural healthy alternatives, also care about the environment, so it’s like I’m doing double duty.
Although, let me just say this- what’s so wrong with being eco-friendly? I get that once things become a super trend that people often resist it, but I sort of detest all the Christians that make fun of it.
It’s this idea that since I am a believer, I am also a conservative (an assumption), and thus I must hate all things liberal (such as being eco-friendly), which seems dumb to me, because if you look at what the actual cause is, I think this should be an issue that Christians are at the forefront.
Shouldn’t we as Christian’s be the most eco-friendly? Shouldn’t we be the ones talking about being stewards of our earth?
Before Sin even entered this world God gave Adam and Eve the garden, and told them to take care of it. I think that this could be ONE thing that conservatives/liberals actually agree on- that we need to do what we can to grow, preserve, take care of and love this land that God has given us.
I am however intentional about some eco-friendly things (very few to be honest). But, I recycle, I take bags to the grocery store, try not to waste water, etc.
Then there are times when the eco-friendly and the healthy butt heads. And, the healthy motivation in me will always win.
Like those swirly light bulbs that last forever?
Yes, those are good for the environment because you don’t have to replace them often, but they also contain a very, very dangerous ingredient: mercury. Most people don’t even know that you have to take extra special precautions to dispose of them (because it’s a health hazard to through your garbage in the street with such a toxic chemical inside) you have to make sure to read the instructions that come with the light bulb.(For an alternative, and still eco-friendly option you can get mercury free LED bulbs (you can find them here).
So, although I consider myself eco-friendly by default, I would say that being eco-friendly is a great thing, and something that honors God. In the same way, the opposite of eco-friendly- destroying this beautiful place God has given us, and not preparing anything for our children, doesn’t bring any glory to God.
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September 16, 2010 at 10:46 am
Well said!
September 16, 2010 at 11:06 am
Amen!
September 16, 2010 at 11:18 am
Great post. I am always confused by Christians who bash people who try and take care of the earth. God must be shaking his head over that one.
September 16, 2010 at 12:27 pm
Yeah, I understand if you don’t feel like being super conscious, but why make fun of and bash me for my efforts to recycle, teach my children not to liter, and maybe plant a tree? ya know?
September 16, 2010 at 11:29 am
Amen and Hallelujah! You said it well and I agree. I believe God made the earth and for that reason alone, I believe we should do what we can to take care of it.
September 16, 2010 at 12:28 pm
Thanks for stopping by and commenting Malia! I agree, I think it’s as simple as that.
September 16, 2010 at 11:55 am
Thank you for saying what I have been thinking for so long. I am a believer, and also very much a steward of the Earth. It’s hard to believe that some people find those two things to be at odds with each other.
September 16, 2010 at 12:28 pm
Yeah, I sort of feel like it’s a little unsafe to talk about this at church, and that just seems silly to me. Thanks for commenting Jennae!
September 16, 2010 at 12:04 pm
The green movement has its high and lows like anything else. I think everyone should be stewards of what God has given them, be it land, water, resources, etc. To that end, most people in your camp are completely reasonable and choose healthy alternatives for good reasons.
I think the aversion some Christians have is partly political reaction (which is lame), but also some want to be careful not to elevate created things over our Creator (Romans 1:25. Christian leaders such as Jim Wallis and Brian McClaren I think have done this and assume humanity has way more influence over the future of the environment than we actually do.
One Christian extreme has complete disregard for the environment and is assumes “God will destroy the earth one day anyway” and the other extreme considers green choices a sin issue – i.e. you are living in sin if you don’t go green. Both are silly.
I think the Christian circle is slowing working through this and becoming more balanced. I am with you on those light bulbs though, I have been telling people since the “lightbulb” legislation that passed several years ago that the new ones are dangerous.
September 16, 2010 at 12:19 pm
I get what you are saying Ben, but I see way more of a middle ground then you are talking about. And, from my experience, I would say that most people are having a political party reaction, vs elevating creation above the creator.
Politically, I think there are many conservatives out there that use Christianity, and faith to further their agenda, and not because it is an actual deep conviction. Sadly, many of us that call ourselves conservatives are led by these people (sometimes by lack of other options
) . They choose to be anti- environment or eco-friendly because the liberals think our money should go towards green actions, instead of to say-the war on terror. So, if you think more money should go towards the war on terror, then you also must be anti eco-friendly (for agenda purposes).
This is why I think there is a disconnect. People are looking at political agenda’s instead of what God actually says/thinks about it.
My biggest issue is with those that are making fun of those trying to be eco-friendly. Like, we are all just doing this because it’s “trendy”, and thus making it not a worthy cause. When, actually, it is a worthy thing to try and be good stewards of what God has given us (like you said).
I do find it interesting (and sort of funny) that you are commenting on all of this. Because, Um, I remember you being so anti tree-huggers and environmentalists that you said you wanted to go turn on all your showers and let them stay on all day, just in protest?
Do you have a change of heart?
September 17, 2010 at 10:35 am
I agree w/some of what Ben said, but I wouldn’t describe those who believe it’s ok to disregard the environment as extreme, mostly because it’s entirely mainstream Christian to feel that way.
I just deleted a giant comment, because it’s a whole can of worms that I should probably just write a post about. Has to do with pledging allegiance to the flag above (and in replacement of) the true Kingdom…
September 17, 2010 at 12:53 pm
I agree very much. One of my friends did an excellent post on this, and he called it “Are you a “Republiclangelical”? And he describes how people have replaced their identity in Christ, for their identity in a political party or movement…. It’s a great post…
http://benforsberg.com/post/908613270/are-you-a-republangelical#disqus_thread
September 16, 2010 at 12:14 pm
Here is a post I read back on Earth Day written by a Christian who does not celebrate Earth Day. http://yes-theyre-all-ours.blogspot.com/2010/04/taking-journey-in-honor-of-earth-day.html
The only problem I have with being “eco-friendly” is that it is sooooo commercial and seems to really just encourage more consumerism….which to me is the opposite of “eco-friendly”!
Great article!
September 16, 2010 at 12:21 pm
very good point Amy! I think many companies have jumped on the bandwagon of this “trend”, just to sell their products, giving less credibility to the actual cause. Because true eco-friendly people are not consumerist, and actually encourage living quite simply. Thanks for the link, I’m going to go read it now.
September 16, 2010 at 12:45 pm
I read her post Amy, thank you for that. I think she proved my point more then she thinks. The beauty and awesome gift of our God, should be taken care of. I don’t really see many people elevating God’s creation above him. This would be worshiping creation, and not praising God for it.
I think that earth day, or movements like it were not created so that everyone can “worship” the earth, but so that we could give more information to those that want to take care of it.
I agree with her that God gave us this earth to inherit, and use, and obviously the resources are their for us to use. However, I disagree that this is an argument for not taking care of it. Just like our bodies, we are stewards, and we “use” our bodies, and we all eventually grow old and die (like the earth will), but that doesn’t mean we don’t take care of our bodies, and be stewards of them while we have them.
Thank you for the commenting, and adding to the conversation.
September 17, 2010 at 10:39 am
I think everything has become commercialized, so it’s hard for me to consider than when forming an opinion. The commercialization of Jesus or Christmas is a great example of not throwing out the baby with the bathwater…imagine if we were on the outside looking at all the THINGS people sell by making them Christian-ish and used that “commercialism” to ignore God…
We just cannot look at how humans have twisted things, we have to go back to the scriptures.
(thanks Carrington for this topic, obviously I have opinions
)
September 16, 2010 at 2:25 pm
I agree very much and also- many people (like me) are eco friendly by FORCE because we have no other choice. It IS the only way for us or our kids. I also hate the ties it has to political lines. It’s what comes from the heart, and makes sense & is best for the individual, you know?
Steph
September 16, 2010 at 9:22 pm
agreed Steph. What did you mean that this is the way you guys are by force? Could you clarify? I’m a little confused.
September 17, 2010 at 10:29 am
I think she means she has to be this way, even if she didn’t want to be, because her kids are so sensitive…
September 16, 2010 at 9:12 pm
I totally don’t get why ANYONE would turn their noses up at being eco-friendly (or going back to the basics when things were natural…I should say) in general. I too make these choices because they are healthy for me and my family. It’s my duty to protect our wellbeing.
September 16, 2010 at 9:21 pm
Agreed lady! And, I might add that you are doing a fine job at it!