Gunman, Hostages and Smugglers: Two Extreme Views of Humans and Animals
Posted: Sunday, September 05, 2010
by Joel Kontinen
http://joelkontinen.blogspot.com/
When it comes to views of our place in nature, it might be an understatement to say that it has been an eventful week. First, a Malaysian gentleman tried to smuggle a suitcase containing 95 Boa constrictos and a tortoise through customs at Kuala Lumpur airport but as he was waiting for it to arrive, it suddenly flew open, revealing its reptilian contents. The owner, Mr. Keng Liang Wong, will probably spend some time behind bars since Boas happen to be an endangered species.
While these two cases might illustrate a ruthless attitude to animals, a very disturbing episode at the Discovery Channel headquarters involving a gunman and hostages reminds us of an extreme view that might be even more dangerous than trying to make money at the expense of endangered animals.
Mr. James Lee wanted Discovery Channel to air his extreme environmentalist views for making the world a better place. Drawing inspiration from the ideas of Thomas Malthus and Charles Darwin, he demanded that Discovery Channel broadcast more programs that among other things teach people to curb population growth. He assumed that man was the worst thing that ever happened to the planet we call Earth.
To make the Discovery people believe that he meant business, Mr. Lee took hostages. However, before he could harm them, the police shot him.
Seen from a biblical perspective, both of these approaches are very detrimental. A balanced view gives room for both man and animals. Man was never given the right to satisfy his greed by exploiting nature but God told him to take care of it (Genesis 2:15). Neither was he allowed to despise his fellow-men but he was told to show altruistic love to all people. As Jesus pointed out, the second commandment says, "Love your neighbor as yourself."
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)I do believe we should strive to love thy neighbor as thyself on a daily basis. Thank you for and interesting article. , Linda DI agree. Thanks, Linda,.for reading.
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