praise be!
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Congressman Says God Will Save Us From Climate Change
2010-11-10 16:56:36.314 GMT
By Alex Spillius in Washington
Nov. 10 (Telegraph) -- A Republican congressman who believes
that global warming is not a threat because God has promised not
to destroy the Earth has put himself forward as chairman of a
powerful committee that deals with energy policy and its effect
on the environment.
John Shimkus, an evangelical Christian representing
Illinois, quoted the Bible in a congressional hearing last year
on a proposed "cap and trade" legislation designed to limit
carbon emissions.
Reading from God's post-Flood promise to Noah in Genesis
8:21, he said: "Never again will I curse the ground because of
man, even though all inclinations of his heart are evil from
childhood and never again will I destroy all living creatures as
I have done."
Mr Shimkus added: "I believe that's the infallible word of
God, and that's the way it's going to be for his creation.
"The Earth will end only when God declares it's time to be
over. Man will not destroy this Earth. This Earth will not be
destroyed by a Flood. I do believe that God's word is infallible,
unchanging, perfect."
He spoke before a theologian and leaders of the Lutheran
church who had been invited to testify as witnesses. The bill was
passed by the House of Representatives but has been blocked in
the Senate.
Following the Republicans dramatic success in last week's
midterm elections, every committee in the House will shift from
Democratic to Republican leadership in January.
Mr Shimkus, who has served in Congress since 1997, is
seeking the leadership of the Energy and Commerce committee,
which has a wide-ranging portfolio covering energy policy,
environmental initiatives and public health.
In a letter circulated to fellow Republicans, who will vote
for committee heads, he said his previous status as a minority
member of the committee made him "uniquely qualified among a
group of talented contenders" for the top job.
"I believe I have the credentials within the committee to
bring fairness, without protests from the other side of the
aisle, in its operation," he wrote.
In May 2007, he attracted negative publicity after comparing
the Iraq war to a baseball game between his "beloved" St Louis
Cardinals and the "much despised" Chicago Cubs.
In 2009 he walked out as President Barack Obama delivered a
speech to a joint session of the House and the Senate.
-0- Nov/10/2010 16:56 GMT
