In a recent speech at the Center for Health and the Global Environment at Harvard Medical School, liberal commentator Bill Moyers proved that he left his meds at home. Moyers believes that since President Bush is a Christian, and some Christians believe in End Times theology like the Left Behind novel series, that the president isn't making environmental policy a larger part of his domestic agenda because he believes Jesus is returning soon, so why bother.

Moyers begins his speech in a very ominous tone -- foreshadowing his attack on Christian belief. One of the biggest changes in politics in my lifetime is that delusional is no longer marginal. It has come in from the fringe, to sit in the seat of power in the Oval Office and in Congress. For the first time in our history, ideology and theology hold a monopoly of power in Washington.

So, Christianity is delusional? Well this is not unexpected. The Apostle Paul told us that the wisdom of God will be foolishness to men. Moyers goes on to say that we Christian "ideologues hold stoutly to a worldview despite being contradicted by what is generally accepted as reality. When ideology and theology couple, their offspring are not always bad but they are always blind."

First, let's take a look at "worldview." I will assume that Mr. Moyers is talking about the Theory of Evolution as this is the major non-Christian basis for a worldview. If my readers want to put forward others, I will respond to them. It is called the "Theory of Evolution." The American Heritage Dictionary (at Dictionary.com) defines "theory" as:

1. A set of statements or principles devised to explain a group of facts or phenomena, especially one that has been repeatedly tested or is widely accepted and can be used to make predictions about natural phenomena.
2. The branch of a science or art consisting of its explanatory statements, accepted principles, and methods of analysis, as opposed to practice: a fine musician who had never studied theory.
3. A set of theorems that constitute a systematic view of a branch of mathematics.
4. Abstract reasoning; speculation: a decision based on experience rather than theory.
5. A belief or principle that guides action or assists comprehension or judgment: staked out the house on the theory that criminals usually return to the scene of the crime.
6. An assumption based on limited information or knowledge; a conjecture

None of these definitions says anything about establishing "the facts." Definition #6 probably sums it up most succinctly: an assumption based on limited information. A theory, by definition, is not concretely provable. You can build up a body of evidence that may tend to support the theory, but that does not prove the theory as fact. Any reasonable scientist will corroborate this definition. There are a growing number of scientists who do not believe the Theory of Evolution is the most reliable description of the state of nature. There are many who now believe in what is generally termed, "Intelligent Design." Mr. Moyers says that a "generally accepted" theory is reality? Maybe he really is off his medication.

A large part of Moyers' argument is that because of Christians' beliefs, we don't care about the environment. Jesus is coming, so who cares about the environment. This is not true. While Christians do believe in the Second Coming of Jesus, we also know that God has given man the oversight of His creation to manage and care for. We are expected to manage our world in a responsible way. Now, as all people might be expected to do, there are differences of opinion about how "responsible" environmental management is defined. Now, I am no expert on environmental policy or science, but I often don't trust what I am told by many of today's environmentalists. I don't trust their intentions.

Moyers goes on to call believers in End Times theology bizarre. I'm not entirely sure what I believe about interpretations of the Book of Revelation. Let's just say that I'm looking into it (after all, it's not a requirement for salvation). A lot of the imagery in Revelation is often startling, even scary. But prophecy is often hard to unravel. But to call believers "bizarre" is unwarranted and uncalled for. Many on the Left call for Americans to be tolerant and open to differing opinions; except for Christianity. Christianity is not open to the tolerance they preach for others.

Mr. Moyers tries to paint Christians as anti-semitic by saying that "As the Jews who have not been converted are burned, the messiah will return for the rapture," deliberately creating an image akin to the ovens of the Holocaust. Moyers goes on to say that after Christians have ascended to Heaven, they will "watch their political and religious opponents suffer plagues of boils, sores, locusts,...." There are no politics in Heaven. There are no political adversaries. There are no religious opponents. There are only those who have accepted Jesus as Christ and those who have rejected him. It has nothing to do with politics or "religion." It is all about belief. Although I'm sure Moyers claims objectivity, he sounds like he has an agenda that takes direct opposition Christianity and Christian beliefs.

Take a moment to read Moyers' speech and let me know what you think. I'll handle whatever questions I can. While I do claim the mantle of "Jesus Freak," I am by no means a radical or "bizarre" or an extremist. Although Moyers would probably label me thus, I don't much care about Moyers' line reasoning -- if it could be called reasoning. Bill, start taking your meds.

UPDATE: PowerLine has just posted that Bill Moyers is apologizing "profusely" to James Watt both in the form of a phone call and publicly in some written statement to be issued. In the original speech (referenced above), Moyers claimed that:

James Watt told the U.S. Congress that protecting natural resources was unimportant in light of the imminent return of Jesus Christ. In public testimony he said, "after the last tree is felled, Christ will come back."

Moyers now regrets his misquoting and mischaracterization of Watt. Maybe an old dog can learn new tricks.