The religion of climate change & the new doomsday  scenario - Dr. Michael L. Brown -   
It's  not "climate change" that's "threatening mental health." It's the apocalyptic  way it's being reported that's threatening mental health.
When  I came to faith as a 16-year-old, drug-using, hippie rock drummer, I was told  that Jesus was returning very soon. The end of the world was near. Very near.  Today, there is a new religious narrative, especially among young people, with a  new "end of the world" scenario. But this one is depressing and grim, with  nothing redemptive about it.
I'm  talking about the new religion of manmade global warning.
- It has its unique gods (like Mother Earth).
- It deifies the created world (with seminarians confessing to plants in a chapel service).
- It has its high priests and religious leaders (the climate change gurus and radical environmentalists).
- It has its patron saints (like Sweden's Greta Thunberg).
- And it has its own doomsday scenario: The end of the world is near. Very near.
To  be clear, I do not have the credentials to comment on scientific questions  related to global warming.
But  I do have the credentials to comment on the effect that environmental activists  are having on our culture, especially the younger generation.
An  Australian website offers counsel to help people (especially young people) deal  with stress and anxiety related to climate change. It notes that "There are lots  of reasons why young people might feel stressed about climate  change."
These  reasons include: (1) They feel like planning for the future is hopeless. (2)  They are angry that the people around them aren't doing anything to help. (3)  They are frustrated that there's nothing they can do now to change things. (4)  They are worried about whether it's responsible to have children. (5) They feel  like everything is out of their control.
A  May 2 headline on Science News for Students states, "Climate change poses mental  health risks to children and teens."
And  a September 19 article on Conversation.com warned that, "Ignoring young people's  climate change fears is a recipe for anxiety."
In  fact, as far back as 2016, the American Psychological Association (APA) claimed  that, "Climate change is threatening mental health. A federal report that tapped  psychologists' expertise outlines the ways climate change affects us  all."
But  herein lies the rub. It is not "climate change" that is "threatening mental  health." It is the apocalyptic way it is being reported that is threatening  mental health.
After  all, when I was told in 1971 that Jesus was coming back soon, it was an exciting  prospect. The end of the age is fast approaching and we will be with the Lord  forever! This world is falling apart, but God will come to redeem  us!
But  there is no such hope in today's gloom and doom climate change reporting.  Instead, it produces fear and provokes frustration, especially for young people:  "Our world is being destroyed, and you're not doing anything about it! Don't you  care?"
To  quote Greta Thunberg directly: "You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with  your empty words .... We are in the beginning of a mass extinction and all you  can talk about is money and fairy tales of eternal economic growth - how dare  you!"
But  there's a reason for her fears.
An  October 2018 headline proclaimed: "We have 12 years to limit climate change  catastrophe, warns UN."
Six  months later, in March 2019, the UN website echoed these sentiments: "Only 11  Years Left to Prevent Irreversible Damage from Climate Change, Speakers Warn  during General Assembly High-Level Meeting. Ambition, Urgency Needed to Address  Global Emergency, Secretary-General Says."
No  wonder teenaged Greta and her generation are up in arms. No wonder they are so  stressed. No wonder they are angry. "It is your policies and your greed and your  selfishness that have stolen our future!"
As  reported on September 26, "Around climate-change protests, tears linger.  Youthful activists cite all-too depressing science and develop angst. They  grieve for a future they worry they'll never have.
"Many  young climate activists say they feel hopeless and overwhelmed .... 'It's really  hard to grow up on a planet full of ifs,' said This is Zero Hour co-founder  Jamie Margolin, a 17-year-old from Seattle, who is finding it hard to buckle  down and apply to colleges. 'There's always been a sense that everything  beautiful in this world is temporary for my generation.'"
How  very, very sad - but not because it's all true.
Instead,  as John Nolte pointed out, "For more than 50 years Climate Alarmists in the  scientific community and environmental movement have not gotten even one  prediction correct, but they do have a perfect record of getting 41 predictions  wrong.
"In  other words, on at least 41 occasions, these so-called experts have predicted  some terrible environmental catastrophe was imminent ... and it never  happened."
Consequently,  he asks, "Why would we completely restructure our economy and sacrifice our  personal freedom for 'experts' who are 0-41, who have never once gotten it  right?"
So,  young people are being stressed about something that may never happen. They are  growing up waiting for the shoe to drop, not being able to enjoy life because of  fear for tomorrow.
The  innocence of youth is being robbed from them, and everyone is to blame. Yet an  article on the Teaching Tolerance website urges that, "Teachers' Silence on  Climate Change Violates Students' Rights."
I  would urge instead that there needs to be a lot of soul searching and  circumspection, from our children's educators to the popular media. Are you sure  the information you are sharing is accurate? Are you positive the fears you are  instilling are warranted? Are you certain that you are not playing with the  emotions of impressionable young people?
From  my perspective (and leaning into my areas of expertise), I would rather say  this:
It's  true that this world will not endure forever. One day, Jesus will return and  make a new heaven and earth. So, live your life here with passion, in  expectation of His return, making every moment count. That way, whether you live  to be 100 or if He comes back in 10 years, your life will be full and  blessed.
I  challenge a climate change religionist to come up with a better message than  that.
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