Jordan River too polluted for baptisms

[Forkboy]

Jerusalem (AFP) July 21, 2010 - An environmental group on Wednesday called for a halt to baptisms in the Jordan River where tradition holds that Jesus was baptised, saying the waters there were dangerously polluted.

"Friends of the Earth Middle East call on regional authorities to halt baptism in the lower Jordan River until water quality standards for tourism activities there are met," said a statement from the group.

The group issued the call following media reports that Israel's health ministry had urged the tourism ministry to stop people bathing in the river, saying it posed a health risk.

In recent years the flow of the river has slowed to a dirty trickle as fresh water running into the river has been replaced with sewage.

http://www.desdemonadespair.net/2010/07/jordan-river-too-polluted-for-baptisms.html

[Ian David]

1. They're not REAL Christians if they let this stop them.

"And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."
http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/mk/16.html

If they can be poisoned, they don't really believe.

That's why I keep a vial of poison (actually, laxative) by the door to test the faith of any missionaries that should happen to ring my doorbell.

[KamaAina]

2. There's a growing religious environmental movement

based on the concept of stewardship over God's creation.

This puts that into pretty sharp relief.