Global
Warming and the new Puritanism
‘Live more simply, that others may simply
live,’ was a challenge that sounded authentic
on the lips of Gandhi, less so coming from some
of those on the Global Warming/Climate Change
band-wagon. It is hard – if not electorally
impossible – for government to call us
to self-restraint, though it can seek to educate
us and give us incentives to use less energy
and water. A government cannot become too unpopular
with the voters: there’s always another
political party to promise the voters what they
want. So whose is the prophetic voice calling
us back to a sensible consumption?
The danger is that the microphone is being taken
by the puritan tendency which seems to surface
in this country every few centuries. The puritan
cultivates a disapproving look, a judgmental
attitude, based on a confidence of his own purity
of belief. Originally a religious persuasion,
and taking strength from literal readings of
the scriptures, the puritans became, as we might
now say, politically radicalised and, for various
reasons, anti-monarchy. This led to the English
Civil War, that awful rupture in our national
life, which arguably we have not yet quite fully
recovered from. There are still villages (not
so far away) which can trace their contemporary
rivalry back to being on different sides during
the 1640s. (There were running battles around
our area during these 
years:
the battle of Andover, 1644; the battles of
Newbury, 1643 and 1644.) Some of the founding
fathers of the USA of course were puritans,
so it has left a strong mark on the contemporary
global scene.
But puritanism is a complex phenomenon, which
can attach itself to any great cause, not just
religions, not least that of saving the planet.
There is not quite complete agreement among
scientists about what is going on and how much
time we have left. But it does seem obvious
that we cannot expect the global economy to
continue growing and depleting the raw materials
which our world provides. While there might
be legal definitions as to who owns what energy
resource, there are deeper questions about who
really ‘owns’ them. Our generation
needs to leave a world with enough to sustain
our children and their children. Future generations
have a claim on the energy resources we could
use up now. There is much more to the solution
than the small scale good things we can do –
recycling, installing energy efficient light-bulbs,
turning the thermostat down, conserving water.
The notion of offsetting the carbon-dioxide
produced by your flight to America by planting
trees is the religious idea of redemption in
another guise. The real difficulty is the fundamental
fact that human greed will need to be recognised
and restrained at every level, individual, local,
national international. This, against a background
where greed is so richly rewarded, and under
its clever disguises, tries to persuade us that
it is the only way.
Puritanism was the sincere expression of a deeply
held and informed religious faith. But it is
by no means the only expression of faith. What
can possibly be strong enough to give us the
internal power of self-restraint? Not governments,
not technologists, not moralists, not climate
scientists, not the consumer economy. Self-restraint
is taught in homes in small ways as well as
in big. It is there in the teachings of Christ.
Faced with problems of global proportions, perhaps
it is time to admit, “God help us!”
Every Blessing! Martin Coppen
After the Annual Meetings of the churches,
there are now two New Churchwardens
in the benefice, in Longparish and Hurstbourne
Priors. Dr Desmond Croft decided to stand down
from being warden of Hurstbourne Priors, and
Oliver Colman was elected in his place, with
Philip Chalk continuing. Desmond will act as
deputy warden when needed. After five years
as churchwarden in Longparish with John Young,
Jonathan Evans has retired and Robert Charlton
was elected to succeed him. Wardens in St Mary
Bourne (Eve Lind-Smith and Rod Sutcliffe) and
Woodcott (Christopher Pease and Dickie Nicholson)
continue. Our churchwardens bear important responsibilities
and trusts in our parishes and they need our
support and encouragement. We are particularly
grateful to Jonathan and Desmond for their service
over so many years.
Thanks to all those who prepared and decorated
the churches for the Easter Celebrations.
The flower arrangements were outstanding and
very beautiful, and we are grateful for all
those who both contributed and offered their
artistry to make them so.
The Benefice Reading Group meets on
Tuesday 22nd May, to discuss Irène
Némirovsky, Suite Française (Vintage,
£7.99, 416 pages), at Rebecca MacFarlane’s,
Silver Birches, 4a Egbury Road, St Mary Bourne
(01264 738149). You will be made very welcome!
Confirmation coming on 10th June, 6.30pm
at St Peter’s
Bishop Michael, the Bishop of Winchester, is
coming to conduct the Confirmation Service –
his first visit for quite a few years. On his
last visit in 2002, he blessed the new Church
website and washed our feet (it was a Maundy
Thursday)! This is the last call for adult candidates
to give time for preparation for the service.
Please contact one of the clergy as soon as
possible if you are interested in discussing
this step of Christian commitment.
