CAMPAIGN ’96 : Stronger Endangered Species Law Urged

WASHINGTON — Joining with environmentalists in an unusual political alliance, a coalition of evangelical Christians on Wednesday launched a campaign to keep Republicans in Congress from weakening the Endangered Species Act.

The Evangelical Environmental Network, which said it represents more than 1,000 churches nationwide, equated the GOP assault on the endangered species law to a modern-day sinking of Noah’s Ark. The group said it is underwriting a $1-million public awareness campaign to drum up support for the “protection of God’s creation.”

Ron Sider, a professor of theology and culture at Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania, said that the group was called to action to counter the perception that conservative Christians are often at odds with environmentalists.

“The Earth is the Lord’s,” Sider said. “And human beings are called to be stewards of God’s gorgeous garden.”

Founded in 1993 and made up of scientists, authors and ministers, the group plans to air a series of advertisements that it hopes will establish a connection between biblical teachings and endangered species. Blending religious scripture with modern lobbying techniques, the TV, radio and print ads will appear in 18 states over the next several weeks.

Representatives of the organization met privately with House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) Wednesday to press their case. Congressional Republicans have drafted legislation in both the House and Senate that would reauthorize the Endangered Species Act, but weaken some of its protections. Neither bill has been brought up for a floor vote.

Gingrich has indicated that the party is rethinking its position on environmental issues. Recent votes on other measures have shown a willingness by some Republicans to reject legislation perceived by the public as anti-environment.

Critics contend that the 22-year-old Endangered Species Act, signed into law by President Nixon, places the interests of animals over those of humans. The act’s supporters, however, say protection of endangered species needs to be strengthened.

Currently, the endangered list contains about 960 species of plants and animals. A 1995 moratorium on new listings has prevented an additional 223 species from being declared endangered.

The Christian group said it hopes to mobilize an estimated 30 million to 50 million evangelicals by distributing “creation care” packets, urging church members to participate in local nature preservation activities and to organize as “Noah congregations.”

The group opened its press conference Wednesday with a short prayer that included biblical references that coalition members say instruct them to protect all creatures on Earth.

Quoting from the book of Genesis, the group’s founder, Calvin B. DeWitt, said the story of Noah and the Ark is “the first endangered species act proclaimed in written history.” Its conclusion, DeWitt noted, is a covenant with the creator to sustain all life.