Bryan Fischer at RenewAmerica.com has a great idea. Let's apply scripture to everyday life.
Take the recent, tragic incident at SeaWorld in Olando, where a trainer was killed by an orca, for example. It wouldn't have happened if we paid attention to scripture.
Mr. Fischer says that God's instructions on such matters are clearly laid out in Exodus 21:28-29.
So let's take a look at these verses.
If an ox gore a man or a woman, that they die: then the ox shall be surely stoned, and his flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall be quit. Exodus 21:28
Well, I'm not sure that this verse applies directly to orcas, but I like the way Bryan is thinking. So let's stay with him on this.
Exodus 21:28 says that if someone is killed by an ox, then we must stone the ox to death.
Which means, I guess, that we should stone Tilikum to death.
This brings up some practical problems, though, doesn't it? How can we can stone an orca to death? I guess Mr. Fischer thinks we should try.
But however we kill Tilikum, we can't eat him afterward. Oh, and the owner is to be considered blameless.
On to verse 29.
But if the ox were wont to push with his horn in time past, and it hath been testified to his owner, and he hath not kept him in, but that he hath killed a man or a woman; the ox shall be stoned, and his owner also shall be put to death. Exodus 21:29
This verse makes things much more interesting, especially since this was not the first time someone was "gored" by Tilikum.
If we follow the Bible on this, we not only have find a way to stone Tilikum, we also have to kill his owner (or owners), as well.
Yeah, the the folks at Sea World should have followed the Bible.
Or maybe we should just stop using large predators as entertainment.
7 comments:
Can you imagine what this world would be like if we really followed ALL of the Bible's rules, laws, and regulations? We'd be stoning people left and right. Almost no one would be safe.
I never understand why religious people choose one abomination from the Bible (homosexuality, for example) to pick on, but ignore other rules, like those against eating lobster or pork, women not speaking in church, stoning disobedient children. And I don't know even one "good Christian" who gives all his money to the poor as directed by the Bible. Oh, well, I guess Christians ---just like their god ---work in mysterious ways.
I just want to say thank you for your blog & for the Skeptic's Annotated Bible. Too many people want to take the Bible (or Qu'ran) literally, which doesn't make any sense. As the comment above states, why do such people then choose one abomination over another? I have started meeting Christians who cherry-pick verses from the Bible to support their belief/thought of the moment and are intolerant of anyone who chooses to disagree. Thank you again for your voice of clear-headed logic.
I second that notion. This site is a breath of fresh air.
3rded !
Steve should get an honorary knighthood from The Queen imo.
Looks like someone decided to take your advice ;)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1255453/SeaWorld-whale-killed-Dawn-Brancheau-stoned-death.html
The American Family Association said Biblical teachings dictate that the five-ton killer whale Tilikum should be executed for dragging to death trainer Dawn Brancheau.
Well, I don't think anyone's listening to them, and rightly so; stoning is a completely inhumane practice.
C Woods, In Iran unfortunately that is what they do take ever part of the Quran literally.
This is why I am a Subgenius, "Bob" has never condoned stoning children or molesting them or incest. Just hating the normals who make normal the norm. PRAZE "BOB"!
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