John Kerry Criticized For Saying U.S. Must Protect 'Vulnerable' Muslim Countries From Global Warming
Secretary of State John Kerry is receiving some criticism for recent comments in which he said the Bible commands countries like the U.S. to protect "vulnerable Muslim countries" from climate change.
Kerry made his comments while speaking at a ceremony to appoint Shaarik Zafar, an attorney from Texas, as the State Department's new representative for Muslim communities in the U.S. and internationally.
In his speech, Kerry said countries like the U.S. have a responsibility to protect more vulnerable counties, like those in the Middle East, from global warming.
"Our faiths are inextricably linked on any number of things that we must confront and deal with in policy concepts today. Our faiths are inextricably linked on the environment. For many of us, respect for God's creation also translates into a duty to protect and sustain his first creation, Earth, the planet," Kerry said.
"Confronting climate change is, in the long run, one of the greatest challenges that we face, and you can see this duty or responsibility laid out in Scriptures clearly, beginning in Genesis. And Muslim-majority countries are among the most vulnerable. Our response to this challenge ought to be rooted in a sense of stewardship of Earth, and for me and for many of us here today, that responsibility comes from God," he added.
The Secretary of State's comments have received criticism from some groups who argue Kerry shouldn't have referenced religion when speaking about national matters that involve the State Department.
The conservative website Western Journalism accused Kerry of hypocrisy, arguing that democrats are usually employing the argument of Separation of Church and State. The website also argues that Kerry's statements serve as an admittance to the belief that the U.S. is a Christian-based country.
