Destroying the Earth for Profit? Better Hope There’s No Hell

Although I mention the subject of religion sparingly, it’s not possible to avoid altogether—especially when The Pope, the leader of 1.2 billion Catholics, is so aggressive in turning the tables against climate change deniers and others who would ruin the environment for the sake of profits.  As noted here, he pulls no punches on the concept that rich people who aspire to become even richer at the expense of the planet’s supply of food, clean air and fresh water are on their way to hell.

Personally, I don’t believe in eternal torture and damnation, meaning that I can’t comprehend how a loving and omniscient God would inflict such a punishment, even on the evil pigs who deliberately damage the health and well-being of seven billion people, simply to satisfy their lust for money. But my beliefs are not the point; it’s rather that a great number of the aforementioned 1.2 billion people have faith in this doctrine, and that perhaps this will somehow exert pressure against the worst of the world’s fossil fuel boys to rethink their positions here.  We can only hope.

And speaking of things that defy understanding: where on Earth did this guy (Pope Francis) come from? Virtually no change in Church policies for 1600 years—and now this juggernaut of humanitarianism and enlightenment? I’m extremely pleased, and thoroughly impressed.