The floods which claimed seven lives and deluged thousands of homes are the result of "moral degradation", senior Church of England bishops have said. The warning comes as forecasters have predicted that the rest of the summer is also likely to be a wash-out - with just one day that will live up to the scorching summers of recent years. While stressing that those affected were innocent victims, they claimed the devastation was the consequence of the West's decision to ignore Biblical teaching, with an "arrogant" world "reaping what we have sown". Although scientists say it is impossible to blame a single weather incident on global warming, the church leaders said the floods were almost certainly the result of man-made climate change.
The Rt Rev Graham Dow, the Bishop of Carlisle, whose district suffered horrendous flooding two years ago, believes the extreme weather is the direct consequence of mankind's lack of respect "for each other, for the planet and for God". He said: "This is a strong and definite judgment because the world has been arrogant in going its own way. We are reaping the consequences of our moral degradation, as well as environmental damage."
The Sceptics Corner for this one ... no other comment. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but for this to have made a new's headline story ... something is wrong somewhere.
