OVEC Members Featured in Moyers on America

In October, Public TV aired Moyers on America, with legendary journalist Bill Moyers. Part 2 of the series – "Is God Green?" – featured Mingo County OVEC members Carmelita and Ernie Brown, Pastor Larry Brown, and B.I. Sammons speaking about the apparent contamination of their well water by coal slurry. What powerful, eloquent speakers – whose voices are being heard nationally!

Christians for the Mountains co-founder Allen Johnson and Coal River Mountain Watch’s Judy Bonds spoke about mountaintop removal. Others called for action on global warming. The show underlines the growing environmental consciousness of conservative evangelical Christians.

Moyers told Grist magazine, "I was not surprised to discover that the people in the hollows of West Virginia are decent, God-fearing, caring individuals. They’re being betrayed by their political leaders… I find it encouraging that they want to do hands-on, practical work in protecting the environment where they live."

"I first want to apologize as a Christian for the unfaithfulness of the churches and Christians who have oftentimes – too often – been complicit in the destruction that we see upon the land," Johnson said on the show. "In the Book of Revelation, there’s a scripture that says that God will destroy those who destroy the Earth.  We’re breaking a covenant with God."  

If you missed the show, catch it online: www.pbs.org/moyers/moyersonamerica/green/index.html.