Church's bad record on science
The Bishop of Leicester is concerned about my remarks regarding the Church's obsession with climate change (Mailbox, November 19).
In particular he complains that I did not raise these concerns when I was on a panel at a recent public meeting in the cathedral.
But as the good Bishop will recall, the format of that event was a question-and-answer session, with questions from the audience. Panellists were given no opportunity for general observations. The particular point about the Church's engagement with climate change did not arise. Had it done so, I should have been happy to address it.
Also, Bishop Tim will remember that, after the event, I did state my doubts over the anthropogenic global warming argument in a private discussion.
I would not wish to encourage the Church to spend even more time on the issue, but if Bishop Tim would like to organise a public debate on the theme "Global Warming: Myth or Reality?" I should be happy to speak at it.
The Church has a poor record of engagement with science. In 1600, the Italian philosopher and astronomer Giordano Bruno was burned at the stake, after the Inquisition had determined that he was a heretic. His heresy was to believe that the earth was round, and that it rotated about the sun, defying the conventional wisdom that the earth was flat. The Church also persecuted Galileo for the same reason. But Galileo and Bruno were right, and the Church was wrong.
In the 19th century, the Church attacked Darwin's theory of evolution (we celebrate Darwin's 200th anniversary this year – I plan to go to the Galapagos to see Darwin's finches and turtles). Yet today the scientific consensus is that Darwin was right and the Church was wrong.
Today the Church is uncritically wedded to the Great Carbon Myth, despite the fact that more and more scientists are starting to challenge the conventional wisdom, as the real world stubbornly refuses to conform to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) computer predictions – and despite the fact that opinion polls show that a majority of voters don't believe that humans cause climate change.
As I have said before – perhaps the Church should have more faith in God, and less in the IPCC.
Roger Helmer, Conservative MEP, East Midlands.
4 Comments
by PB, Leicester
Monday, November 30 2009, 1:10PM
“Last week was an interesting week for Global Warming (sorry climate change) One of the principal scientists and advisers an the subject was caught well and truly with his trousers down trying to cover up and even falsify information that was being presented as legitimate climate change data. Even such eminent research organisations such as NASA are being implicated in a potential climate data fraud. The latest revelation is that not only has the global climate not actually been getting warmer over the past few years, it has in fact been cooling down. It now looks like all the fancy graphs and predictions that show we are all doomed if we do not start to lead a medieval life style are all complete rubbish. This has enormous repercussions. Governments of industrialised nations the world over are gearing up to make policy decisions based on this data that will to give vast sums money away to un-industrialised countries in some ridiculous carbon trading scheme, all this to come out of our already overstretched pockets. Not to mention the raft of carbon taxes will be coming our way to fill the vast budget deficit. So with elections coming up soon, any prospective MP that has the backbone to go on record to stand up to the global warming lunatics are in prime position to get my vote. Any candidate that comes to my door bleating about climate change will get the door slammed in their face”
by West End Girl, Leicester
Friday, November 27 2009, 10:57AM
“So what is Mr Helmer proposing we do? Trash the world and wait for a new one on judgement day? Bishop Tim reflects the concerns of almost all Christians in the diocese of Leicester.
If Mr Helmer can present an alternative argument about climate change backed up with scientific evidence and not just opinion let him do it. It's no good just saying anthropogenic arguments are wrong. Climate change is happening and we need to know why so we can do something about it. Even if it means upsetting some of the big businesses Mr Helmer's Tory party represent.”
by D, Leicestershire
Friday, November 27 2009, 10:08AM
“I think that one problem with the climate change debate is that it is real science in action, not fossilised school textbook stuff. We are learning all the time and progress is being made. Just because our ideas change over time (= learning) doesn't mean we can simply stick to our guns in spite of new evidence as it comes in. This applies to all sides in the debate, but we need to be rigorous and go with the evidence - not history.”
by A Cyclist, Leicester
Friday, November 27 2009, 9:58AM
“Once again the Mercury gives air to Mr Helmers peculiar views. Indeed, there are people who disagree with the theory of man-made global warming, but has he considered the consequences of his preferred action (that is - business as usual) if he is wrong?
As for the darwin / flat earth comparison, it's one of his old tricks - drag up examples from a less enlightened age. Seen it before Roger!”