Religious Groups Ask Consumers and Automakers 'What Would Jesus Drive?'
Episcopal News Service. November 13, 2002 [2002-261-3]
The Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN), a 'biblically orthodox' nonprofit, is launching ads urging consumers and automakers to start thinking of gas mileage as an ethical statement, noting that auto emissions are significantly contributing to climate change. The 'What would Jesus drive?' ad campaign will target four states with a heavy evangelical presence: Iowa, Indiana, Missouri and North Carolina.
'Most people don't think the kind of car they drive has anything to do with their faith,' said the Rev. Jim Ball, who directs the organization. 'We want to show them it does.'
EEN, formed in 1994, successfully demonstrated its clout back in 1996 with a $1 million crusade to save the Endangered Species Act from an attempted rollback by Republican House members. The network took out TV, radio and print ads, mailed 'Let the Earth Be Glad' kits to 33,000 evangelical churches, and led other religious and secular groups in the effort to rescue the law.
Ball anticipates spending up to $65,000 on the upcoming blitz, supported by the Energy Foundation, based in San Francisco. He is also planning events on college campuses and a 'Creation Sunday' celebration in the spring with the same theme.
'Jesus wants his followers to drive the least-polluting, most efficient vehicle that truly meets their needs--though first he might look at other ways to get around.' Ball said. 'He'd definitely be in favor of us taking public transportation.'
The national campaign may be going against the consumer tide because gas-guzzling sport-utility vehicles, pickup trucks and minivans outsold cars for the first time in the United States last year. But the endeavor is part of a broader effort by some religious leaders in recent years to make ethical stands on environmental issues. Now the climate campaign is turning its attention to transportation. On November 17, congregations in 15 states plan to coordinate events including press conferences with elected officials, sermons on fuel efficiency and displays of hybrid electric autos in their parking lots.
Later this month, the campaign will send mailings to 100,000 Jewish and Christian congregations and synagogues, discussing the relationship of fuel economy to religious teachings about stewardship and justice. Additionally, some 50,000 e-mails will be sent to individual churchgoers, giving them an opportunity to send a message to automobile manufacturers.
The pressure on automakers is intended to culminate on November 20, when mainline Christian and Jewish groups and the evangelical environmentalists hold their joint press conference in Detroit. National Council of Churches General Secretary Bob Edgar has asked chief executives of the 'Big Three' automakers for a meeting that day to begin 'a new conversation about cars and their impact on global sustainability, security, health, and justice.'