Posted on 11/14/2002 6:21:57 AM PST by AAABEST
RALEIGH, N.C. — An evangelical group hopes to turn the car-buying decision into a question of conscience with a campaign that asks: What would Jesus drive?
The Wynnewood, Pa.- based Evangelical Environmental Network will begin running television ads this month in North Carolina, Iowa, Indiana and Missouri to urge consumers to park their sport-utility vehicles and buy fuel-efficient cars because Jesus wants the Earth's natural systems preserved.
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It's a small voice considering SUVs, minivans and pickup trucks — which together make up the light- duty truck category — last year made up half the new vehicles sold in the United States. The average fuel economy for all 2003 model cars and passenger trucks dropped to 20.8 miles per gallon, reflecting what automakers and many buyers say is a higher priority on comfort and family needs than conserving gasoline.
Though automakers make higher profits from light trucks than on cars (by some estimates more than $10,000 per unit) they say they'd be happy to sell more fuel-efficient vehicles.
However, Eron Shosteck , a spokesman for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers said: "People want power. Consumers want power."
The Interfaith Climate and Energy Campaign plans to send mailings this month to 100,000 congregations discussing the relationship between fuel economy and reli gious teachings about stewardship and justice.
The campaign is a joint effort of the National Council of Churches and the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life.
The groups plan to frame their arguments in moral — as well as economic — terms by promoting hybrid and fuel-cell powered vehicles, as well as other existing fuel- saving technologies. Hybrids run on both gas and electricity, and so use less fuel than traditional engines. Fuel cells, a technology developed to power space vehicles, makes energy from a chemical reaction with no harmful emissions.
The Big Three — Ford Motor Co., General Motors Corp. and DaimlerChrysler AG — plan to mass market SUVs and pickups with hybrid technology starting next year. Toyota and Honda began selling a limited number of hybrid cars this year.
Other technologies in mass production could cut the weight, improve the acceleration, reduce exhaust emissions and use half the gasoline of a comparative Ford Explorer XLT, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists, which supports tougher federal fuel economy standards.
Guessing which rig would meet Jesus' approval should be a serious consideration for conservative Christians, who are called to preserve the created world, Ball said. Global warming and smoggy air worsened by vehicle exhausts threaten the health of humans, plants and animals worldwide, he said in an interview as he rode a commuter train from his Washington, D.C., office to his Maryland home 55 miles away.
"We think he is Lord of our transportation choices as well as all our other choices," said Ball, an American Baptist minister. "When you need a new car, you should buy the most fuel- efficient one that truly meets your needs."
Psalms 45:14 - in many-colored robes she is led to the king, with her virgin companions, her Escort, in her train.
Psalms 45:14 - in many-colored robes she is led to the king, with her virgin companions, her Escort, in her train.
Well, maybe she drove it, but in this case she had it on a flatcar.
Well, I'm a conservative who hates SUVs, but I'd never want the government to ban them. It's my personal choice to hate 'me, and feel that others have the right to love 'em.
On issues like this, yes. I think it's pretty clear what Jesus would do or at least what He would want us to do in many areas.
Hehe.... when my parents got our SUV, our fuel costs went down - because before that we drove a 15 seat passenger van! Why don't I think this church would like our family at all?
Isaiah 6:1 - In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the LORD sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.
So it's clear what car Jesus wants us to buy?
Isaiah 44:13 - "The carpenter stretcheth out his rule; he marketh it out with a line; he fitteth it with planes...."
LOL!
II Chronicles 17:11 -- "Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and Tribute silver; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats."
Judges 8:11 - "And Gideon went up by the Caravan..."
Job 41:26 - "Though the sword reaches him, it does not avail; nor the spear, the dart, or the javelin."
Acts 2:1 and 2:46 - "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place." ... "And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart..."
Acts 15:25 - "It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,... "
Philippians 2:2 - "Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind."
That, or a school bus.
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