Are Animals More Important Than Starving Children?


© Baruch Weiner

A World Of Contradictions
I wanted to write about the High Holidays but I cannot resist discussing the following. If we cannot understand what I am about to write here then we cannot understand anything about the High Holidays either.

We are living in a world that contradicts itself in the most clear and unfortunately disgraceful way. What do I mean?

The Earth Summit and Free Willy
On September 2 the news discussed the "Earth Summit". Nations from all over the world came together to discuss how to alleviate the poor and suffering of the world and make the world more livable.

The next day on September 3 the news discussed a story of an Orca whale that was once trained and in the movies. I bring the following quote from Cnn on September 3 about this Orca Whale-

"His appearance in the 1993 film "Free Willy" and later sequels helped spark a campaign to free him. He was rescued from a Mexico City amusement park in 1996 and rehabilitated at the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport, Oregon, before he was airlifted back to Iceland in 1998 and taught to catch fish. Keiko's rehabilitation cost $20 million. Ugarte said his team will continue monitoring Keiko's progress and movements."

20 Million$
I must admit I found this basically sickening (excuse the wording). These 20 million dollars could have gone to help and save hundreds of lives in Africa and other 3rd world countries. Even if it would have saved one child isn't that more important than some whale? Where is humanity going?

I remember not so long ago a story of a lost dog on a ship lost at see. How much money was thrown away to save that dog? Of course we should not cause suffering to animals and need to alleviate their pain etc. I also like animals and always did. I have had a number of pets. I own a Quaker bird now also. You can see him at this address- http://www.rabbicoach.com/MeetOurMascot....

Questions to Ponder Upon
But at what cost of money and human resources should animals receive? Do we put animals before starving children who are dieing form lack of nutrition?

What happened to the simple understanding of the value of human life? Could it be that the teaching of evolution has caused man to loose his or hers simple basic values? Evolutions in its folly teaches man came form apes and animals so does that also mean they are just as important?

Go To Page: 1 2


The copyright of the article Are Animals More Important Than Starving Children? in Jewish Teachings is owned by . Permission to republish Are Animals More Important Than Starving Children? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Post this Article to facebook Add this Article to del.icio.us! Digg this Article furl this Article Add this Article to Reddit Add this Article to Technorati Add this Article to Newsvine Add this Article to Windows Live Add this Article to Yahoo Add this Article to StumbleUpon Add this Article to BlinkLists Add this Article to Spurl Add this Article to Google Add this Article to Ask Add this Article to Squidoo


Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: View all related messages

1.   Sep 3, 2002 3:59 PM
I know to some this may seem to be a strong article but I think the truth must be shared. For some reason some people have lost the ability to place their values in the correct proportions. The saegs ...

-- posted by mussar





For a complete listing of article comments, questions, and other discussions related to Baruch Weiner's Jewish Teachings topic, please visit the Discussions page.