What do you think? Organic farming a Biblical mandate?
COMMERCE, Texas (Reuters) - The Hale family has embraced organic farming because it is healthy, good for the environment and less cruel to animals. But do not mistake them for nature-worshiping New Agers or back-to-basics hippies.My husband read this article to me this morning and we found it quite interesting. I'd love to hear your thoughts on it. Do you agree or disagree with this family's view of environmental stewardship? Do you think that promoting organic foods and good nutrition are tenants of a Christian lifestyle? Why or why not? Hearty discussion encouraged but remember to keep it considerate. :)
They are part of a small movement of conservative Christians who believe the Bible demands an organic or natural approach to agriculture.
Read full article.
Graphic from Art.com
posted by Crystal Paine at 11:22 AM
24 Comments:
I have to say it seems to fall under the mandate of being good stewards of the earth. We must remember that this land does not belong to us - we are the caretakers. Filling it with chemicals and genetically-modified seeds that rape the land does not seem like being good stewards so I'd have to say that this family is farming in a way that would honor Christ.
Crystal, GREAT topic! I posted my views on my blog at http://lori.scottdomain.com Thanks for sharing this article with me.
Crystal, great topic!!!! Thanks for posting it and inviting discussion. I have blogged about my thoughts on this topic at http://lori.scottdomain.com
Blessings!
In Him,
Lori4squaremom
i have lots to say about this, but no time at the moment... my huge 1 acre garden, all pesticide free home grown veggies did great this year... more later... have to finish up homeschooling first :)
I'm glad you posted about this as well. For some reason it seems that the last people to be willing to make changes in the area of environmental impact are typically very conservative - whether they be christians or not. I think that especially for christians, this sends a bad message to the world. If non-christians care about the earth, how much more should we as christians, who understand that it is not our earth, nor did we create it, attempt to be good stewards? I think this is another way to honor that which is not ours and honestly, that which we will Lord-willing be passing onto our children. Why wouldn't we want to leave it in the very best possible state?
The Lord created Adam and his task was to tend the garden and it was good! There is something lost when we are out of touch with the fact that the Lord is the provider for the earth, both the righteous and the unrighteous. It is by His creation that we can eat, build homes, etc. So I think there is something beautiful when a Christian decides to be involved in agriculture and honors the Lord in it. I also think it is important to learn to be self sufficient and to teach it to our children. The end is only getting nearer. I see articles that the government is getting more control of the food source for this country and it is a little alarming. I think the Lord still sees it as a good thing, like He did with Adam for His people to tend His creation.
I think any time we can be a good steward over the things God has entrusted to us, that's the right thing to do. This is a family who farms, and as such they have the opportunity to honor the Lord by creating the best possible food from their land and by protecting the land from harmful influences. I also agree that since our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, we should indeed eat as healthfully and naturally as possible to promote good health and vitality to carry out the tasks God has called us to. That said, for those of us who live in the city and can't afford to buy expensive organic foods, I am equally convinced that we do nothing wrong when we forgo organic foods in favor of less expensive, but still healthy alternatives. For me, it is more important that I feed my family plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. I don't feel like less of a good steward of the earth if I don't buy organic.
My husband and I have made this a goal for our family in the next two years. At the moment we are trying to eat more whole foods and healthy foods. I have not bought hamburger helper since I came home almost five years ago. LOL.
Its just in the past year that God has called us to a more "self" sufficient life style.
Right now we live in our little subdivision house and are content with what we have, but I have to say Im excited about the vision God has given our family.
On the other hand I dont think its a calling on everyone's life. I have great Christian friends who tease me all the time about my future farm. LOL
Should we be good stewards of the earth? Yes. God put us here to have dominion over the animals and to tend the garden. Do I think that means we all have to go "back to the land"? No. There is a place in the "city" world for Christians. Drs. and lawyers and customer service people. Neighborhoods are great places to reach out to a lost world.
I also think we should be careful of going in another "liberal" extreme direction where we care more about the earth and the animals than we do about human beings.
Ok Im done with my book. Sorry. :)
It's so refreshing to hear this kind of story. If I remember correctly, this is one of the families mentioned in the book, Crunchy Cons, by Rod Dreher. Excellent reading, by the way! As Christians, I believe good stewardship should extend to ALL areas of our lives, not just the financial. Although we live in a suburban area, we do have a small pesticide-free garden and try to buy locally grown produce, meat and dairy as much as possible. We also teach our children about recycling and conservation, in practical ways which also just happen to save money, such as using cloth diapers, mama cloth, etc... .
Cathy
Organic farming requires three times more land to generate the same amount of food. The advances in farming and agriculture have made greater food production possible for our world's growing population. Farming is inherently bad for the environment: since humans took it up around 11,000 years ago, the result has been deforestation on a massive scale. But following the "green revolution" of the 1960s greater use of chemical fertilizer has tripled grain yields with very little increase in the area of land under cultivation. Basically, the astounding variety and availabilty we enjoy when we walk into a supermarket in today's world is largely due to advances in technology. Personally, I am a firm believer in "better living through science."
Also, the studies done of conventional farm workers show they have below average cancer rates and are exposed to higher amounts than we would ever encounter. And just because something is "natural" doesn't mean it's good for you. Organic farmers use pesticides as well. The difference between organic and synthetic pesticides is not their toxicity, but their origin—whether they are extracted from natural plants, insects, or mineral ores or are chemically synthesized. In fact, some organic pesticides have natural toxicities that are far higher than many synthetic pesticides.
I'm not saying that everything artificial in our current society is beneficial (cearly there are harmful things that are new to this age) but it's important to look at facts. I think a lot of this is tied to people's emotions. Meaning, you can practically see the clear creek water and glistening fruit. I understand the argument for stewardship, these are just some things I have read and am trying to work through. Jayne
I think this is great. The factory farm is taking over and destroying our country. I'm a vegetarian myself, so I am all for anything that is more kind to animals than the horrors of the factory farm. Regardless of your beliefs, it is just intelligent to take care of our environment well--so that it lasts for future generations. And, the organic stuff tastes better in my opinion, too. You feel better eating it knowing that you're not filling yourself up with a ton of useless garbage.
I think it's a great thing if they enjoy doing it. I do believe that we are to take care of the planet God gave to us. I've heard some Christians try to rationalize away their lack of environmental concern by saying that Jesus will return before we destroy our planet. Maybe, but maybe not.
I always like hearing about farms that treat their animals with dignity. We teach the middle school Sunday school class at our church, and my love for animals has become a bit of a joke with our kiddos (good joke, not bad). I tell them that my meat was born on the styrofoam trays at the grocery store because I really can't bear the thought that it came from a once-living creature. (I know, denial!) As we've been studying the Old Testament, I've said that I'm so glad I wasn't born a Jew in OT times because I think I'd have been the most neurotic Jew alive. I'd hole up in my house and do nothing out of fear of sinning and having to sacrifice an animal for atonement.
I really should be more responsible about checking the source of the meat that I buy. The family in that article lives nearby, so perhaps they sell to some of our local markets. I'll have to look into it. I can't bear the thought of factory farms, which is why I delude myself about how my meat came to be.
I do think that living gently and responsibly is an important part of good stewardship towards Creation. Organic farming is certainly not the only way to do this, but it is often a good way, especially on a smaller level. Making choices that support good health & wellness, purchasing and using only what we need, reusing & recycling what we can, and reducing the amount of housing and possessions we "need" are all excellent ways to be good stewards not just to Creation, but also with the money and physical bodies God has given us as well.
I don't know about organic but God requires us to be good stewards of the earth, to not destroy it, to give animals humane care, and to pay fair wages to our employees. It also requires the government to hold all people as equals, without respect to money - rich or poor (making laws which favor huge corporations and force small growers out of business). It also does not give the government the jurisdiction over food issues, beyond just weights.
Every single one of these issues is being violated by our current food system.
Also, the idea that it takes more land to grow organic than it does to grow pesticide laden food is based on flawed studies and bad farming techniques. There are plenty of books available at the local library to show you how to grow more on less land, using no pesticides.
And this doesn't touch on the health issues of the consumer... Anyone who takes a brief glance at the nightly news knows we've got major health problems, including obesity and food poisoning. Clearly something is wrong with the way most of us eat.
There are also serious risks to those who are around these poisons on a daily basis. There wouldn't be toxic handling instructions on them and hazmat laws for transporting them, if there weren't.
The food industry in America is a mess and honestly I am not sure it is going to get solved any time soon. We do what we can with the money we have and try to buy locally grown foods and foods grown in a manner with a Christian ethic towards both man and animals. We don't believe cheaper is better, but neither do we believe that the "organic" label is necessarily better either. (Over 90% of organic food is imported, a great deal of it from China. I personally think locally grown food that is not certified as organic is better.)
Whatever the solution is, it must start with scripture as the basis. What are we allowed to eat? Who causes our food to grow? Who provides an abundance for us? Or causes the famine? How should we treat our employees? How should we treat our animals? God is not silent on any of these issues.
It is simply not an option for Christians to continue to ignore these issues and to use the sin of godless eco/vegan types to excuse their own complacency.
Nickey
P.S. If anyone is interested in reading more on the subject from a Christian perspective, you might find Joel Salatin's books helpful. He was raised, and has raised his children, on a farm which follows the practices he preaches and gives a real voice of experience to the matter.
Here is a link to a Christian run farm in my area touching on this topic. I think you might glean some helpful insight on this topic.
http://www.grassfieldscheese.com/index.html
Genesis 1:26. "Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth and over all the creatures that move along the ground."
Rule. Obviously, this word signifies we are called to wisdom and responsibility in use of our resources; we can't allow ourselves to --
Jer. 2:7. "I brought you into a fertile land to eat its fruit and rich produce. But you came and defiled my land and you made my inheritance detestable."
... do this.
To sum it up, I will avoid saying whether organic farming is or isn't the only way to be wise stewards of environmental resources; but we are definitely called to be responsible over the land God gave us.
Jayne -
You need to review your sources...
>>Organic farming requires three times more land to generate the same amount of food.<<
Simply not true. You can grow food with less labor using modern methods, but organic methods consistently produce more - much more - food in terms of calories per acre than modern industrial methods do...
>>Farming is inherently bad for the environment...<<
Again, not true. It is possible to farm in a way that actually increases the fertility of the land year by year. The way we farm now IS "inherently bad for the land" - but it doesn't have to be.
>>Also, the studies done of conventional farm workers show they have below average cancer rates and are exposed to higher amounts than we would ever encounter.<<
I would love to know where you found this one... Pesticides are recognized carcinogens; if someone is telling you that they are actually good for the farm workers - hmmm...
There are things to process on this issue, but the items you've focused on are really not part of the debate.
Ed Brown
Care of Creation Inc
This is a topic I have just been addressing on my blog so it was a very timely post! I posted my views on the topic on my blog.
I think we all need to be careful not to be gullible and swept away by green fads that are luddite in nature.
Most technology and progress has benefited mankind tremendously.
An example that comes to mind is DDT. There were some good reasons to ban it. However, they have turned up to be mostly incorrect. In the meantime millions, literally millions, have died of malaria.
In a world where starvation affects huge numbers on the planet, I am not sure that purely organic gardening is in the best interests of everybody. It is easy to mock "factory farms." However, they feed the world far more efficiently that "non factory farms."
Pest and disease control make our farms far, far more productive than they were even 75 years ago.
Should we then embrace every pesticide or herbicide that comes around? No, but we should not dismiss them out of hand, either.
As a cost/benefit analysis, if you as a family spend an extra $25 a year buying organic tomatoes rather than not, would that money not benefit the world better by sponsoring a World Vision child that does not have that luxury?
To limit ourselves to organic alone without considering everyone else is, I think, self-indulgent.
Dear Crystal, I am a long time lurker, contributing for the first time. I was very delighted to see your blog mentioning this wonderful Christian family. I would like to add that the Hale family are not worshiping the creation but are worshiping the Creator. The success of their family farm has not only blessed other families like ours with healthy food alternatives, but also allowed Mr. Hale to retire from public school teaching in favor of this home-based business. This is a good example of a win-win situation.
Connie is a Proverbs 31 woman to its full extent as far as I have ever seen. The Hale children are happy, intelligent and talented in an amazing variety of areas. Their adult children continue their education while working with their family. David, their oldest son, has an amazing successful job in downtown Dallas and yet continues to work for his family. Their hearts are to serve the Lord together.
Thank you, Crystal for your daily encouragement.
Blessings,
Kathleen for the Smith family
I would recommend reading GRUB. It address much of the myths/lies that we buy into when it comes to our food - one being how factory farms are not as productive as one would think in comparison to an organic farm. Has anybody watched Manic Organic or Living Fresh with Sara Snow, I believe? It really opens your eyes to how organic fish farms and organic produce farms work together. Nothing is wasted. They deliver to local stores so that you get the best. My understanding, if I remember from the book, is that the gov't gives farmers who use conventional methods much more help so the small farmers out there are having a hard time keeping afloat. Imagine if families could support themselves without having to buy out and do it without getting cancer, something pointed out in the book about conventional farmers. Plus, typically, the farms would be much more self sustainable, and not putting stuff into the earth and our water supply. We would be eating healthier food that our body recognizes - non-GMO. If you are buying any packaged food from the store you are eating GMOs. Look at how much soy and corn products are in them. Google corn allergies and you will see all the different names for corn. This stuff is in everything. I am allergic to both so trust me. There is a theory out there that if I were to eat organic corn or soy I might be o.k. Something I haven't tried. My naturopath went as far as to say 90% plus of corn anymore is GMO. Our bodies wouldn't be digesting meat and milk that has hormones in it. Ever heard of the three cats experiment? Some scientist did a study a long time ago giving cats the food that we eat. By the third generation the cats were very ill. Now, let's think back. When did processed food start becoming a staple in our homes? Slowly, artificial coloring and presertives started being added. Now, think back at each generation. Does not a lot of what we are battling now seem to fade away as you look back? How many moms can say right now they have seen improvement in their kids when they took this stuff out? How many can say they have felt helpless until the went to a chiropractor or a naturopath and found out if they took gluten and cassein out of their kids diet or whatever that correlates with their child's ailment and they got better? Our bodies are inflammed and breaking down. Read Healing the New Childhood Epidemics: Autism, ADHD, Asthma, and Allergies.
O.k. blabbering on. Must scoot.
Johanna
"As a cost/benefit analysis, if you as a family spend an extra $25 a year buying organic tomatoes rather than not, would that money not benefit the world better by sponsoring a World Vision child that does not have that luxury?"
Farmers are among the poorest paid people in the country. Most of them have to hold 2nd and 3rd jobs just to survive. If I pay my local farmers a fair price for their produce, rather than trying to get it as cheap as possible, then I am *creating wealth*, which they in turn can use to help others in their community and abroad.
I choose to do 90% of my shopping at a store which pays it's employees fair wages and works in local and worldwide communities to create jobs and wealth. Yes, maybe it costs more and maybe not everyone can or even should make the same choice, but we can not ignore the reality of the poverty of those who produce and distribute our food in the current system.
Nickey
I think one way to see to it that all of our produce prices are fair/profitable to the farmer would be to remove price subsidies. Maybe until that happens, it will be difficult to tell whether "factory farms" are truly more profitable, or not.
I understand the point about shopping where people are paid well. That certainly can produce people who are more charitable. However, the people are not YOU, and may not be inclined towards charity. Who knows?
I just don't want to be gullible, and assume that all progress is bad. I'd like to examine each technological advance, or new method, without prejudicing myself that if it increases production it must be bad. Some "natural" things can harm us )like e coli on spinach or low production that results in price hikes and even starvation in some countries), some "unnatural" things (like refrigeration, like the trucks that bring in the organic manure) can help us. So I just don't like to see movements where everyone just jumps on the "organic only, factory farms are bad, pesticides wreak only evil, genetic modifications automatically cause cancer," train.
I found the article interesting. In many ways it reminded me a lot of my life. I appreciate their views on things. I think as Christians part of our job is to take care of (carefully) what God has given us. I do also think that we need to be careful not to develop doctrine from the bible that is not truly there. Though I think it is great to avoid GMOs and to farm organically I don't think that is something that we should say is "Biblical truth" and judge others on.
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