Assignment Scenario
I am the CEO of a private corporation open to any religious (or non-religious) views that is seeking advice on formulating a corporate "mission" statement on environmental responsibility. Someone has suggested to me "An Evangelical Declaration on the Care of Creation" as a starting point.
I've looked through the Declaration and am wondering whether the following paragraph might be a good summary of the issues behind environmental responsibility:
Because we await the time when even the groaning creation will be restored to wholeness, we commit ourselves to work vigorously to protect and heal that creation for the honor and glory of the Creator—whom we know dimly through creation, but meet fully through Scripture and in Christ. We and our children face a growing crisis in the health of the creation in which we are embedded, and through which, by God's grace, we are sustained. Yet we continue to degrade that creation.
I am asking your group for help in understanding this paragraph and its implications. What are the assumptions about the world that lie behind this paragraph? What are the assumptions of what responsibility means in that world? Would you support it or rewrite it? How would you change it (if so) and why?
The class will be split into 4 groups, the first of which supports the wording as is and the other 3 which support a different wording. Assume that Group 1 (that supports the wording) is Christian. The other 3 groups may not be Christian. During the next class session, we will hold a parlimentary style debate over the wording of the declaration. The aim of this debate is to convince the CEO whether to keep or change the wording of the paragraph.
Preparation
The groups that are proposing an alternate wording must prepare an alternative along with an argument for this alternative. The group that is arguing for the current wording must anticipate possible alternatives (e.g. from the worldviews we've studied thus far) and prepare counter-arguments accordingly. All arguments should make use of evidence (e.g. from the readings we've done). It will count against you if your opinions are given without cited evidence (e.g. "Kinsley says ...").
I've created forums on Blackboard that you can use to exchange ideas. You might also want to exchange your emails and phone numbers amongst your group.
Format and Grading
Starting with Group 1, a representative from each group will give a 3 minute opening argument to the CEO. After that, each of the groups will get a chance to offer a 3 minute rebuttal to the opening statements made. After this, the CEO will ask each group follow-up questions.
Speakers from each group, for every speech, will be chosen randomly. Thus, every member of the group must be ready to give the opening statement, rebuttals, etc.
You will be graded on whether the quality of your argumentation in your speech(es) is acceptable.
