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Human Endangerment
By Jamie Arnette
While visiting an aquarium in the state of Virginia, the reality that human lives are now becoming endangered began to emerge. You may doubt this reality, but it’s true. Take a moment to evaluate the things you see and hear from politicians and scientists. For instance, one of the motifs of the aquarium is the damage that humans are causing to the earth. One of the causes of human destruction to the earth, according to written statements at the Virginia Beach aquarium, is “over population.” If one of the reasons for the earth’s destruction is “over population,” how do you resolve it? Well . . . how does one resolve it?
Think about it, animals and plants begin to have greater value than human life. Some crimes against nature receive more severe punishment than crimes against humans. Maybe you have seen it, the PETA commercial that portrays the desperate situation of cats and dogs, while at the same time children endure insufferable abuse in almost every corner of the globe. We can have such great sympathy for nature (e.g., earth, animals, plants, trees) while holding a low value of humanity.
Do not misunderstand this author’s concern for the earth, including the plants and animals. As one who follows Christ, I believe we are to be good stewards over the earth, preserving and protecting God’s creation (Genesis 1:26, 2:15; Psalm 8:6); however, this should not be done to the abuse of humans who are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26,27, 5:1, 9:2, 9:6, Psalm 139:13-17). The earth is for our use, not abuse. It is absolutely true that we have done great harm to ecosystems by importing non-indigenous animals or plants into foreign environments (even scientists have helped to achieve this destruction, even violating nature) and pollutants. I have several concerns with the two-fold push from politicians and scientists for health-care reform and for cap-and-trade to provide a solution to save the planet. These two emphases (healthcare reform & cap-and-trade) serve as a tandem force that claims to minimize human destruction of the earth and make life better for everyone.
For instance, the healthcare reform currently being considered will potentially reduce people’s life expectancy, resulting in a decline in the earth’s population, at least in the United States. Under this proposed healthcare plan, treatment will be delayed and abortions encouraged. There is even a push for people to “opt-out” gracefully and not become a burden on their families. Interestingly, this form of healthcare reform is proposed when baby boomers are now reaching retirement age.
Cap-and-trade claims to reduce the damage that humans are doing to the earth. Does anyone else wonder why scientists are so concerned about preserving the earth, when most of them believe that the world simply evolved from natural processes? Why should they, or anyone, for that matter, care if the world ceases to exist? In their worldview, there is no moral responsibility to preserve the earth, unless they share Carl Sagon’s worldview, who was the scientist who referred to the cosmos with a capital “C” to imply that the universe is god. In a Christian worldview, it is God who saves and provides for us. In the naturalistic or evolutionary worldview, it is we humans who must save and provide for god, the universe.
I would like to conclude with these thoughts. We should be good stewards of the earth, but cap-and-trade will not preserve the earth. If the earth goes through natural (or unnatural) climate changes, humans will not be able to save it. Therefore, cap-and-trade, in my opinion, is not about saving the planet; instead, it is about controlling people’s lives, telling them what they can and cannot have, and what they can and cannot do. For a scientist who believes the earth merely evolved, relax, the earth doesn’t really matter anyway. If it came from nothing, what different does it make if it returns to nothing?
For those who follow Christ (like this author) and believe He created the universe, be a good steward of the universe. Dispose of your waste properly, maintain, as much as depends on humans, proper ecosystems, and remember, God is the One who sustains the universe, despite what futile efforts we make to save ourselves. God is the one who gives us hope beyond this world’s existence. Also, for the follower of Christ, remember the commission of Christ on your life, “be His witness in your home, state (province), nation, and world,” (Acts 1:8) and “make disciples of all nations,” (Matthew 28:19-20). This commission is much greater than God’s commission to Adam in the garden, for the Bible states God will re-make this world into what it should be.
