The very idea of being "on the hook" makes me wince so the thought of being "off the hook"it is very attractive. I have been reflecting during this time of study leave how we often create a mental world where whatever's wrong is the other (blighter)'s fault.
The trouble with my area of study is that it doesn't really allow for "the other". Christianity says we are all made in the image of God, and ecology says we are all part of the earth. So blaming the other guy gets difficult. The other is our brother/sister or a member of the same community of creation. True, their attitude and behaviour may be what Christians call sinful, but we can't write them off. There will be a mote in my own eye for sure if not a plank !
Writing up the research I have been doing with my excellent co-researchers in Liverpool reminds me of this. At various times our conversation would turn to those Chinese building all those power stations, or the madness of consumerism, as if we weren't part of the problem too. (to be sure tho' - much of the time we were very self-critical. And painfully so ..)
It's very hard to live with climate change and to be reminded that we are part of the problem. We want to be off the hook. An article on nuclear power today in the Guardian suggests we project our fear and anger elsewhere. We blame nuclear power rather than the more humdrum coal.
We would do well to be aware of the games we play to get us off the hook. Sure we're guilty - but there's freedom in the honesty of facing these truths. Then we can act responsibility and hopefully. I pray for the grace to be aware and honest.