Earth Day Perspective

Today is Earth Day. People across the globe are celebrating our world's natural resources and raising awareness of the dangers humans pose to the environment. It is an opportunity for perspective. Environmentalism has become a strong force in politics (albeit with waning influence at times).

This morning on Morning Joe Bobby Kennedy said the "landscape is the source of our values, our virtues, and our character as a people." I think Mr. Kennedy's perspective is off. Granted we do have perspectives on nationalism that derived from westward expansion and the grandiose rivers, canyons, mountains, plains, shores and deltas. This landscape was not the "source" of our national psychology.

I am encouraged as many Christians become more aware of environmental stewardship as a value of our faith. I would like to see communities invest more in reducing waste that enters our landfills and water table. I look forward to people helping people worldwide. However, when people mistake our national heritage with any agenda I take caution.

Today is Earth Day, but we must remember we are to be stewards of the earth, not worship it.