Sign Up Now
Get instant access to over 1 million+ study documents
OR
Already registered? click here to login
By creating your account, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and student honor code.
According to the World Wide Fund for Nature, even small lifestyle changes can significantly impact the environment. Some of the small lifestyle changes that the Fund recommends include saving water, recycling, and turning off electrical equipment when it is not being used ("How You Can Help the Environment"). Because humans cause some of the environmental problems by refusing to take these precautions and because taking precautions like these can help solve environmental problems, Christians have responsibility to act. Bohlin calls that duty sacred, and suggests that Christians are commanded to take care of the "earth and its creatures." Carmical adds to this argument by suggesting that scriptural reference for Christians' responsibility to the environment comes in Genesis. He argues that God gave man "dominion over the earth," which means that while humans' needs are more important than nature's, humans also have a responsibility toward maintaining an earth that will sustain human life, as well as taking care of the resource that God gave humankind.
Qualifier
While scripture does suggest that humans have a responsibility to care for the earth, it does not suggest that humans must sacrifice their rights for nature's, nor does it suggest that humans must begin to worship the earth. Carmical argues that in giving humans dominion over the earth, God acknowledged that human's needs are greater than nature's. According to Carmical, this means that humans can continue to develop technologically, and that this is an important part of human existence. While the Christian should attempt to act in an environmentally safe way if this is possible, it is not necessary to avoid harming nature...
Carmical goes on to argue that environmentalism is important to a Christian, "but not paramount.' What is paramount is living in deference to God, and since God gave humans the earth, it is ultimately humans' decision to do with it what they please. In order to be good stewards and use the gift wisely, however, humans must be environmentally conscious. Thus, Carmical points out that Christian environmentalism neither worships the earth nor elevates it higher than humans. Made in God's image, humans are much more important than nature. Thus, a Christian's environmentalism simply means taking care of the earth to the greatest extent possible.
Rebuttal and Conclusion
While some Christians may argue that environmentalism is not important because it concentrates on this earth and not the one beyond, it is important to note that a Genesis mandates humankind to take care of the gift they have been given. Furthermore, non-Christians can distinguish Christians' characteristics from their actions. Acting in an environmentally friendly way will show non-Christians that Christians care about making the world a better place for everyone. Thus, because environmental problems have come to an unprecedented height, humans can solve these problems, and Christians are called upon to take care of the earth, one can conclude that Christians should become more involved in environmentally friendly behaviors.
Works Cited
Bohlin, Ray. "Christian Environmentalism." Leadership U. 14 July 2002. 29 October 2008. http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/ecology.html.
Carmical, Casey. "Christianity and Environmentalism." Casey's Critical Thinking. 2008.
29 October 2008. http://www.hoshuha.com/articles/environmentalism.html.
Global Warming." The Environment: A Global Challenge. 1999. 29 October 2008. http://library.thinkquest.org/26026/Environmental_Problems/global_warming.html.
How you can help the environment in your daily life." World Wide Fund for Nature. 22
April 2008. 29 October 2008. http://www.panda.org/how_you_can_help/at_home/index.cfm.
What is Air Pollution?" Lenntech. 2008. 29 October 2008. http://www.lenntech.com/FAQ-air-pollution.htm.
Works Cited
Bohlin, Ray. "Christian Environmentalism." Leadership U. 14 July 2002. 29 October 2008. http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/ecology.html.
Carmical, Casey. "Christianity and Environmentalism." Casey's Critical Thinking. 2008.
29 October 2008. http://www.hoshuha.com/articles/environmentalism.html.
Global Warming." The Environment: A Global Challenge. 1999. 29 October 2008. http://library.thinkquest.org/26026/Environmental_Problems/global_warming.html.
April 2008. 29 October 2008. http://www.panda.org/how_you_can_help/at_home/index.cfm.
What is Air Pollution?" Lenntech. 2008. 29 October 2008. http://www.lenntech.com/FAQ-air-pollution.htm.
Specific Supports: Chang uses a few statistics as specific support such as by stating that "half of all Asian-Americans intermarry," and that Asian-Americans have the highest median income of all ethnic groups in the United States including Caucasians (p. 3). Supports are both factual and opinionated. Warrants: Warrants include the following. First, race exists. Chang claims that American culture is race-conscious even if race does not exist scientifically. Second, ethnicity and/or
Toulmin-Based Argument in Support of Pet Adoptions From Shelters More people who want pets should adopt them from shelters because many unwanted animals are being destroyed each year in favor of purebred species obtained from other sources which provide their operators with a profit. The worth of the lives of these otherwise-doomed animals, though, far outweighs the individual pet-owning preferences of owners and no animal should be destroyed in favor of
In the New Testament of the Bible, Jesus spent his latter days healing and caring for the sick, dying, and possessed. This should be the way that all Christians act and taking care of the environment for the sake of the poor and needy as well as all living organisms. Regarding the faith and teaching of the Christian Bible, Christians play a vital role in the maintenance of the Earth. The
Toulmin's Model On Holding Bureaucracy Accountable "How to use this worksheet": "Toulmin's model is an effective tool to help you question your sources and the essential elements of your own argument." "Use a separate copy of this worksheet to evaluate each of your sources. Once you've identified the specific parts of each argument, compare the claims, the data, the warrants (along with any qualifiers, rebuttals, or backing). Note where arguments are similar or
Zoo Animals Human beings have kept animals in zoos for centuries, but only relatively recently have the ethical considerations of this practice been widely considered. At one extreme are those individuals and organizations that see no problem keeping animals in zoos and other attractions, in keeping with the long history of animal confinement in the service of human entertainment, and at the other extreme are those individuals and groups arguing that
Toulmin Argument on American Families Up to 30 years ago, divorces were difficult to obtain and were very rare in American society. However, in 1969, the advent of no-fault divorce laws caused a spike in divorce rates. Qualifier follows- This paper argues that if the United States wants to preserve the traditional ideals of the American family, (claim follows) -- the no fault divorce laws must be repealed. Support #1 follows --