The moral reasoning behind Mr. Harper's environmental policies?

[Posted at Bene Diction Blogs on Mar 31, 2012].

If Stephen Harper wants to keep his faith, and how it affects his politics, close to his vest, we can't fault journalists for trying to make some educated guesses.

Just ask Andrew Nikiforuk, the winner of several National Magazine Awards who also contributes to the progressive B.C.-based news and commentary website The Tyee. A few days ago, he posted the opinion piece Understanding Harper's Evangelical Mission on the site.

Nikiforuk, a "Christian and a social conservative", wonders out loud why the Tories make what he sees as ongoing dumb decisions related to the environment.

He writes:

"....To date, Harper has refused to answer media questions about his beliefs or which groups inform them. If he answered media queries about his minority creed (and fewer than 10 per cent of Canadians would call themselves evangelicals) he'd have to admit that he openly sympathizes if not endorses what's known as "evangelical climate skepticism.' "

I wonder in turn--Does Harper's church, the Christian and Missionary Alliance--have a formal position on environmentalism?

Nikiforuk goes on to cite the Cornwall Alliance, a alliance of international critics of environmentalism and wonders if groups like this provide Harper and his allies find reasons for their beliefs from conservative Christians who think as the Cornwall Alliance does.

Might Harper and his friends be dismayed by such speculation? Well, politicians speak their minds for a living. If Harper were to sit down and explain whether his faith affects his environmental policies, Mr. Nikiforuk would be able to apply his wisdom and skills to looking at Harper's actual beliefs and actions and not merely speculating. Which would be better for everyone.

But I certainly don't want to say that Nikiforuk is wrong, out of hand. Please check out what he has to say for yourself.