Sustaining God's Oceans
God's creation is wonderfully complex, interdependent, and beautiful. When one views an image of God's earth from outer space, what is most striking is the abundance of water. Throughout both the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament, water plays a significant role in helping us understand the nature of God. If fact, the Bible includes over 500 references to the word "water."
In the first chapter of Genesis, God first separates the waters into those from above and those from below by forming the solid dome called the sky. then, god creates the earth out of the waters. Only after the water is in place does God put vegetation, animals, and other creatures on the earth. Genesis 1:20 teaches the creation literally comes out of the waters. This ancient narrative is uncannily similar to modern understanding. Science confirms that life as we know it first arose in the water, and in particular, the oceans. Care for God's oceans is an expression of reverence for the cradle of life out of which God created all.
In the first chapter of Genesis, God first separates the waters into those from above and those from below by forming the solid dome called the sky. then, god creates the earth out of the waters. Only after the water is in place does God put vegetation, animals, and other creatures on the earth. Genesis 1:20 teaches the creation literally comes out of the waters. This ancient narrative is uncannily similar to modern understanding. Science confirms that life as we know it first arose in the water, and in particular, the oceans. Care for God's oceans is an expression of reverence for the cradle of life out of which God created all.
Advocacy Spotlight: Sustainable Fishing Practices
God created vast oceans and all marine life so that they might teem with abundant life. Today, without proper and ethical stewardship over U.S. waters, over-fishing could endanger the ability of future generations of fishermen to sustain their families, or for anyone to enjoy the bounty of the sea.
The Magnuson-Stevens Act provides the basic science-based protections needed to safeguard the integrity of God's marine creation and prosperity of our human communities. Yet, legislation is being proposed to undermine it. HR 200 and legislation like it are dangerous because they create loopholes which reduce protections and accountability, and disregard science. Learn more about how to support the delicate balance we need to ensure we have ample and healthy fisheries now, and in the future. |
Ocean Conservation
To protect God's oceans from the stresses of climate change and biodiversity loss, it is important to have marine conservation areas. Recently, we have made progress on protecting U.S. waters.
In 2016, faith communities celebrated the designation of the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, the first marine national monument in the U.S. Atlantic. Read the official September 15, 2016 Presidential Proclamation establishing it. Located 150 miles off the coast of Cape Cod, our first marine national monument in the Atlantic Ocean protects 4,900 square miles of God's marine creation, nearly the size of Connecticut. Without protection, the area would have been at risk of future damage from mounting offshore industrial activity -- including expansion of commercial fishing, drilling and mining. Unfortunately, the monument is in danger. It has been under review by the Department of Interior and the Department of Commerce under President Trump's Executive Order "Implementing an America-First Offshore Energy Strategy." |