Articles: The Religion of Global Warming

All the trappings of religion are here:

• Original sin: Mankind is responsible for the prophesied disasters, especially those of us who live in suburbs and drive our SUVs to strip malls and chain restaurants.

• The need for atonement and repentance: We must impose a carbon tax or cap-and-trade system, which will raise the cost of everything and stunt economic growth.

• Rituals: We must observe Earth Day, and we must recycle.

• Indulgences: Private jet-fliers like Al Gore and sitcom heiress Laurie David can buy carbon offsets to compensate for their carbon-emitting sins.

• Prophecy and faith in things unseen: Advocates say we must act now before it is too late.

Believers in this religion have flocked to conferences in Durban, Rio de Janeiro, Kyoto, and Copenhagen, and the global warming clergy is preaching apocalyptic disaster.