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THE ENVIRONMENT - The EPA calls climate change and environmentalism a religion. I am an environmentalist, and a Catholic. This is denying my 1st Amendment Right to practice religion as I wish.
From Baptist News Global, “Earth Day: Trump’s EPA promotes evangelical myth that environmentalism is a false religion.”
“We are driving a dagger straight into the heart of the climate change religion to drive down cost of living for American families, unleash American energy, bring auto jobs back to the U.S. and more,” said Zeldin, a Jewish Republican and former New York Congressman who says his faith informs his public service.
“Zeldin said the EPA will undertake 31 historic actions that will weaken pollution regulations, cancel grants and halt studies of climate change and its causes, “fulfilling President Trump’s promise to unleash American energy, lower cost of living for Americans, revitalize the American auto industry, restore the rule of law and give power back to states to make their own decisions.
“Fossil fuel interests such as the American Petroleum Institute praised EPA’s new deregulatory agenda, saying it would “secure American energy leadership and protect consumer choice.” But some faith leaders have had different reactions, starting with confusion about what Zeldin meant when he described a “climate change religion.” In recent interviews, they told Inside Climate News that Zeldin had displayed an ignorance of a growing global movement across nearly all faith traditions to voice concerns on climate change.”
From Earthbeat A Project of Catholic National Reporter
“Faith groups sharply denounced sweeping deregulation plans for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as "morally depraved" and prioritizing polluters over public health and nature. But they directed some of their most pointed criticism at EPA administrator Lee Zeldin's comments about "the climate change religion," which they said mocked religion and beliefs compelling them to act on behalf of creation.
“Zeldin unveiled the Trump administration's blueprints for remaking EPA on March 12, outlining 31 regulations to eliminate or significantly scale back. Among those targeted are rules to limit industrial and vehicle pollution as well as the bedrock policy giving EPA authority to regulate heat-trapping greenhouse gas emissions that drive climate change. EPA has also moved to fire thousands of scientists and shutter environmental justice offices and other programs assisting communities most exposed to pollution.
“"I pray that we take these issues out of the realm of political attitudes toward regulation, and focus on the lives lost to pollution," said Archbishop John Wester of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
“"Pope Francis reminds us that 'realities are more important than ideas,' " he said in an email. "The reality is: many additional lives will be lost to increased soot pollution and other toxins.”"
First Amendment
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
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President Trump as president represents the executive branch of the Federal Government. His pick for the Cabinet position for the Environmental Protection Agency is Lee Zeldin. They are denying the practice of the religion of those trying to fight climate change.
Climate change/global warming, from man made burning of fossil fuels, is with us now. We now face an extremely serious threat to the earth. As scientists predicted decades ago natural weather events would become more severe and more frequent.
We see this today in more frequents and severe droughts; fires made worse by drought; increasing flooding from a burning of fossil fuels which creates a warmer atmosphere holding more moisture which is then released as very heavy rain; more frequent and damaging tornadoes and hurricanes.
Animal species are disappearing before our eyes due to loss of habitat, chemical killings through pesticides and herbicides, and the warming climate.
With a belief in climate change now called a religion by the Trump Administration, those who believe this, and try to fight it are the religion’s acolytes, also called environmentalists.
In the United States Constitution there is no definition of what is a religion. The only reference is in the First Amendment.
I am a firm believer in science, which for me defines overall scope of the universe, which is God. And I am a firm believer in the science of man made climate change/global warming. The science is there to prove it.
Environmentalists are trying to protect life on this planet, Earth. To me environmentalists are trying to protect God’s creation.
As an environmentalist trying to protect God’s creation and life, my First Amendment rights to practice a religion I choose, and to fight climate change, will be denied if the Trump Administration, through the EPA, tries to stop the now in effect and future environmental laws and policies to reduce man made carbon gases, the major source of climate change/global warming.
(Matthew Hetz is a Los Angeles native and composer whose works have been performed nationally. He is the former President of the Culver City Symphony Orchestra and Marina del Rey Symphony. A passionate transit advocate, Matthew is dedicated to improving the rider experience and encouraging drivers to embrace public transportation as a solution to air pollution and climate change. He teaches at Emeritus/Santa Monica College and is a regular contributor to CityWatchLA.com.)
