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Subscribe to RSSWatch a National Geographic video on the connection between religions and ivory.
Religious leaders are the latest recruits in the war by conservationists against those slaughtering thousands of elephants and rhinos across Africa each year. The World Wildlife Fund on Friday announced a partnership with various religious groups — some of which are themselves fueling the crisis by allowing religious artifacts to be made from ivory.
"Halting wildlife trade is a moral issue," Dekila Chungyalpa, WWF’s Sacred Earth program director, said in a statement announcing the partnership with the Alliance of Religions and Conservation.
The partnership was sealed Thursday night inside Kenya's Nairobi National Park, where three dozen religious leaders from nine African countries gathered amid rhinos, zebras, buffalo and ostriches all within site of the skyline of Kenya's capital.
Standing before a pile of charred elephant ivory as dusk covered the surrounding savannah, Christian, Muslim and Hindu religious leaders grasped hands and prayed. The remains were from a 1989 burn of confiscated ivory that Kenya set on fire to draw attention to the slaughter.
"We are the ones who are driving God's creatures to extinction," said Martin Palmer, secretary-general of the Britain-based alliance. "We are the ones who can change the way Africa works."
Poachers are escalating their assault on Africa's elephants and rhinos, and conservationists warn that the animals cannot survive Asia's high-dollar demand for ivory tusks and rhino horn powder. Some wildlife agents, customs officials and government leaders are being paid off by what is viewed as a well-organized mafia moving animal parts from Africa to Asia, charge the conservationists.
Ben Curtis / AP
Religious leaders of different faiths pray around a pile of charred elephant ivory at Kenya's Nairobi National Park on Thursday.
Moreover, poachers can earn hundreds or even thousands of dollars for a rhino horn or elephant tusk. That money represents far more than they could earn after years of labor in the typical village job.
"Faith leaders are the heart and backbone of local communities," Chungyalpa noted. "They guide and direct the way we think, behave and live our lives," she said, adding later: "I think this is the missing piece in conservation strategies... WWF can yell us much as we want and no one will listen to us, but a religious leader can say 'This is not a part of our values. This is immoral.'"
Ben Curtis / AP
Elephants gather at dusk on March 25 to drink at a watering hole in Kenya's Tsavo East National Park.
It's not known what kind of impact religious leaders may be able to make, but Mike Watson, the chief executive of Kenya's Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, said he and other conservationists will take any help they can get.
National Geographic
Lewa saw one of its rhinos killed by poachers last week. The park had never suffered a rhino poaching death before 2009; it's had five of its rhinos killed since then.
"We know for a fact that one of the demands for ivory is religious icons in the Far East, and if pressure can be brought to bear to reduce that demand both locally here in Kenya through assistance by religious leaders, and overseas, it can only be a good step," he said. "It might take generations. If religious leaders can some way speed that process up, all well and good, but all efforts need to be on the table."
The significance of religious icons was underscored by National Geographic magazine, which in its October issue traced how Catholics in the Philippines and Buddhists in Thailand make up part of the demand for ivory.
Chungyalpa said WWF is working with Buddhists to try to educate Asian consumers about ivory and rhino horn powder. Yao Ming, the oversized basketball star from China, visited Kenya last month to raise awareness and make a film called "The End of the Wild," she noted.
Brent Stirton / National Geographic
A master ivory carver works on the head of a Madonna in his studio outside Manila, Philippines. He prefers carving wood but says that ivory has a special quality he finds irresistible — "much high prices."
The poaching numbers are grim. The number of rhinos killed by poachers in South Africa has risen from 13 in 2007 to 448 last year, WWF says. Last year saw more large-scale ivory seizures than any year in the last two decades, it added. Tens of thousands of elephants are being killed by poachers each year.
Chungyalpa compared the effort to enlist religious leaders in the anti-poaching fight to how religious pressure helped end the era of apartheid in South Africa.
"There has to be a rising up of moral outrage," she said. "This is the spirit we're after."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Good thing there is nothing else going on in the world for religious leaders to unite on.
Everything that is right within our world deserves to be peacefully fought for - we become the problem when we fight for our ideals and not for the good of all nature.
That said; I do have to go kill a bunch of worms that are eating my defenseless plants down to the stems...unless there is a non lethal way. Darn spiders won't eat the worms - except for maybe our favorite Newsvine spider - spider, do you eat worms?
At least they are uniting on something, .... instead of the opposite, ... looking for any opportunity to open hateful, bigoted and intolerant attacks upon them.... Or, In other words, any news story which has anything to do with "THEM"...
How many of these attackers actually have the gumption to actually attend a religious service and then attempt to discuss their perspectives on religion in person?
Does the checkered past or the ongoing behavior some or the organizations themselves justify those who stereotype all people of faith as the knuckle-dragging embodiment of intolerance...?
No, especially if the ones who find them intolerable believe themselves to be on a crusade for tolerance itself.
Does belonging to any given group automatically mean that a "member" embraces every position that group has?
A truly tolerant person would not think so.
Those truly do stand for tolerance would refrain from the stereotyping, mockery and demonization and devote at least as much time to constructive efforts as to pointing out the negative aspects.
It's so easy for some to hold a picture of what every Christian is for example, while not having any interaction with one or knowing one. The recommended therapy in such cases is to actually seek out members of the profiled demographic and break bread with them.
Anyone truly interested in tolerance would be lead by their conscience to do so. The whole played out "intolerance of intolerance" answer is nullified when one's own intolerance includes stereotyping.
As long as people will shed the blood of innocent creatures there can be no
peace, no liberty, no harmony between people. Slaughter and justice cannot dwell
together.
-Isaac Bashevis Singer
Stop the slaughter of animals, but let death come to man, great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
God's creatures? Then god will take care them. If they're extinct he can create more, can't he now? These leaders should stick to preaching, rather than trying to show off their 'reasoning' abililities.
And religious leaders have been changing (more like manipulating) the world much already.
blame it on all those zipper heads in asia
Man caused their own problems and are supposedly more intelligent than animals. Let man figure it out for themselves; and if they can't, they don't deserve to survive.
First, those attacking faith communities;
Live long and try to prosper in your world view of me for me. Faith not only provides a moral anchor for behavior, but also an obligation to understand one's place in the world and an obligation to leave others (not just your children) an equal place to live.
For those proclaiming the greatness of this gathering, please note those not attending. The ivory trade and the rhino horn trade has always transcended those communities into other faiths and those beyond the pale of organized faith. To those people, even some within a faith group, they will simply ignore this appeal, just as they have the laws of many countries.
Yes, but it's still nice to see these religious leaders uniting for a good cause. Not matter how benevolent your reasons are, there will always be some that won't abide by your views.
I wish more Religious leaders could come together more often. Keep down a lot of Strife in the world
i don't want no stink'n ivory...tusk is cool...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdLp_DS5a34&feature=related
I'm not a religious dude, but I think if people can put aside their differences to try to save a beautiful animal from senseless killing and ultimate extinction, then I'm all for them. It's nice that they can see past their noses, unlike most humans on this earth.
Why were the confiscated ivory burned?
I don't believe in the ivory trade, but supply and demand rules the world.
Capture it, arrest those responsible. Then allocate the bounty in a responsible manner
to take the value out of the market.
Dear god, I hope it works. The Chinese are slaughtering these animals.
To arguesforsport--at least it is a beginning! I'm glad to see it and I hope it helps to save the elephant species. If we humans can unite for this, maybe we can unite for other important things as well.
To Bill Marvell--you reminded me of one of Spocks lines in the movie "Star Trek, The Journey Home" where he says "It is illogical to hunt a species to extinction". Yes, some people WILL ignore the appeal. However, reducing the demand is a critical step in preserving the species. This will help reduce that demand.
To Rustyboy--I wish that would work, but it won't. Nat G O's article talks about how that was tried. All it did was IGNITE the demand further! I understand your feelings--it's like watching someone burn something of great value and beauty. But our own selfishness, greed, and superstitions brought us here. It is the price we MUST pay in order to transcend our own downfall and save the species that we are hunting to extinction.
arguesforsport Are you a hunter, or just don't care about animals being murdered? Yes, there are many problems in the world, all man made in large measure. So VERY few in the world care about animals, it's about time people with some influence start condemning and demand a stop to all the murders. I hope governments will care someday, like the U.S., but we're much worse to animals than anywhere else, consistently murdering animals for fun here, and supported by the government. Have you ever heard Obama say anything about animals, other than the dog he took as a gift from the Kennedy's, instead of adopting one from a shelter, like he vowed to do. He is cold and compassionless behind that smile of his. Of course, Romney travels with his dog on the roof, so little change for American animals, whatever the outcome. Yes, I bring politics into this because it is a political issue. Either we continue to have a country where we still live in the 19th century, or we help open people's eyes to what really happens in this country, not to mention so many others around the world that think nothing of animals.
Why do people fight for animals? It certainly isn't money, peaceful, relaxing or fun. It's because some feel empathy towards the animals, and in a country where there is great apathy towards animals at best. So we are always deemed crazies, libtards, or other highly thoughtout expression. We don't care what you call us, but we hope against hope that someday the majority will give value to animals, simply for their own sake, and not for prestige or money making.
Lastly, think about how involved the government is in hunting, slaughter, etc. More noticeable is the lack of ANY government agency for the care and protection of animals. Shelters are where most people go to abandon their "pets" when they grow tired of them or they start to become "inconvenient". Most shelter animals will die there. It's not the shelters fault, is ours, for allowing animals to be disposable in our society. If we have the money to protect our children, we certainly have the money to protect our animal(s), and not abandon them to an almost certain fate of death. We tighten our belts to have money for our human dependents; we must tighten our belts for the other dependents in our families, please.
If anyone thinks the Dept. of the Interior and the agencies within are there to protect animals, please understand they aren't. They save some animals to be hunted and murder those animals that "dare" to kill some of those "for hunter's" animals for their only food source. And murder them and their babies in horrific ways. Is that where we want our tax dollars going; to murder the babies of animals that the government deems a nuisance? I certainly don't, and I think most of us if told the truth would not want that either, but good luck getting any truth out of government agencies; propaganda yes, truth no!
OK, ready for the rocks to be thrown!
Paul Hester
Good post Paul and I am in agreement with all you have said. Makes a refreshing change from some of the inane stuff written here.
I'm all for protecting the Elephants and Rhinos and other endangeared creatures of the world no matter who champions the cause. But...if you listen closely to the statistics,the percieved numbers of each of these species left wild in the world.... then there is absolutely no way! That poachers or any body else can possibly be killing "thousands" of animals a year! No way! If that were in fact the case then they'd be long gone from the face of the earth by now..if you take into account the figures on actual numbers of these respective herds put out by conservation groups on a yearly basis.
This is not to suggest that they still shouldn't treat them all as if there was only one of each left to the earth...they should! But....there are many,many people in the world who would take these orginizations far more seriously if they in fact presented real data and not a bunch of over dramatic teary eyed fabrications of the truth.
They are shooting themselves in the foot(no pun intended) by constantly suggesting there is little to no hope and that mankind directly involved or otherwise has destroyed everything! There is no doubt that our overall contributions to the global environment can be measured in degree's of lessor of evils,but when you constantly accuse people of being inhumane and uncaring souls,"the destroyer of worlds" and then turn around and ask them for money all you've done is to put many people who would otherwise be willing participants in the fight for the enviroment on the "defensive" and in the same breath are told they are probably too late anyway! So why would they listen to a thing you said!
Sorry, but when powdered dead babies is a hot commodity, I REALLY don't think animals are high on their list of things to care about.
Finally, religion does something of value, other than line its pockets.
In the meantime, there are some outstanding non-profits and individuals caring for those injured or babies left orphaned. The sick part is that the ivory is for pure decoration and human vanity; the rhino horn to fulfill the asian superstition it'll help some little man get a better erection. As if anyone on the planet needs more of that, especially countries already overpopulated with too many human bodies.
http://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/
China won't listen. They basically have no religion.
The only way to stop this murder is to first shoot poachers on sight, then go after the buyers, followed by the exporters. I sure few tears would be shed over a poacher's body and while the buyers and exporters probably couldn't be shot on sight would benefit from a nice long jail sentence with no plea bargaining. That would be a start.
Did I say anything that would even hint that I don't like animals? The closest I have come to hunting is that I enjoy fishing, and even then, I only keep what I'm going to eat. I have personally rescued animals and nursed them back to health on my own...even bats that were stunned after a tree they were living in was downed in a storm.
But go ahead and attack me while praising groups coming together to save animals while people are starving all over the world and killing each other over their version of some higher power.
Paul - Taking animals to shelters because the people are through with them - one of the worst "pets" allowed is aviary. How many birds are given to family members - parakeets to children, with no awareness of how old the child is likely to be when the bird comes to the end of its life? Or the magnificent and beautiful tropical birds, who really don't belong in cages (of a proper size, of course) in the US or elsewhere. Not like a mid-size dog, who might live to their teens.
You'd think they could farm these animals for their tusks? Makes no sense to me what the big deal is. Put a few in zoos around the world, open up farms of these animals to supply the ivory need, and stop wasting money protecting them in animal reserves, which land can be used for other things.
Aside from the unethical aspect of exploiting higher mammals which should impede such a venture, "farming" elephants would take so long and would be so expensive that the cost would be prohibitive. It would not be sustainable. It is so much easier to pass the tab on to Mother Nature. And then without ethics, well.... whatever.
Actually, there are Rhino farms which harvest rhino horns. The Rhino's horn is made of keratin (the same compound found in human nails) and does regrow. Unfortunately there is such a huge demand for rhino horn (it is worth more than Cocaine in Vietnam) that it is still profitable for poachers to murder the animal and take their horn. Even 'ranched' rhinos are in danger of being poached.
Source: March issue of Nat Geo, article by Peter Gwin.
Unity against the hunting and killing of protected & endangered species and, most often, within animal preservation areas, is important. And elephants are in need of help.
It isn't important whom shall take a stand against the slaughter of elephants and rhinos, as long as it gets done.
As for the suggestion that animals be farmed for ivory? Would you do the same for, say, chimpanzees? After all, chimpanzees are on the menu of many Black Africans--a traditional feast, they say. But somehow, the suggestion that chimpanzees be fattened up 'til the still-tender age of 5-7-years and then, killed? The thought makes me shudder. These animals are family groups, with feelings, and make tools. Elephants aren't far behind in that.
Elephants, like chimpanzees, are intelligent, have self-awareness, and express themselves in ways such as simple color-mix painting with a brush and canvas.
I'm not a vegetarian, nor a furious animal rights advocate....but, I do draw the line here.
The tusks and horns are sold on the black markets of Asia. It is still believed by many, that rhino horn is an aphrodisiac. And collectors of carved ivory with falsified antique documentation, are in abundance.
Viagra and Cialis are a lot cheaper. And wouldn't carved white jade be as fine a prize?
They are as intelligent as we are.
I wish we had the senses that have been bred out of us - cuz the stuff that gets bred into us is pretty worthless.
Stop the slaughter of animals, but let death come to man, great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chris,
It takes much longer to grow an elephant tusk than it does a premium Christmas tree. Now as an investor, do you want to tie up an investor in land and plants for 10-15 years to get your product into marketable condition, remembering that the ideal tree only requires less than 900sq ft, as opposed to several sq mi per elephant, 20-30years for its tusks, and tremendous quantities of feed and water? And what do you do with the animal after harvesting those tusks, wait another 15-25 years until the animal dies of old age?
Dan and others,
We are part of the chain of life. We breed animals to harvest as food. And, when we venture into the wilderness, the world of the predators; sometimes we are predators, and sometimes we become the food. Oddly, as humans, regardless of faith, we all return to the earth, man or animal. Or as the rite says "From dust to dust."
Anytime we can get influential leaders of groups to come together to fight crime, it is more likely to be successful, than just trying to attack the problem as outsiders. Especially when that crime is against one of nature's most majestic intelligence species and our future descendants rights of treasuring these beings. More people are likely to listen to religious leaders than conservation groups in the end because religion plays a far greater role in most people's daily lives in the world.This is a complex problem that isn't going to be solved by just focusing on one end of the problem. People usually don't change until they are forced to. If eventually those animals producing ivory went extinct, people would adjust and move on. So the real race is trying to change people's mindset before it is too late.
I wonder if anyone has considered asking people who use the ivory products, what they plan to do once the elephant and rhinocero is extinct? You know, like "Hey, it looks like the supply is about finished now, so what options are you considering next? Because guaranteed they will focus on something else to replace it. The shark is still being targeted. Others might start to realize their days of accessing these products is really over and start a chain reaction.
Yeah, I know, a belief system is pretty hard to change. But one has a better chance of influencing the young than old. Of course there will always be the rich who will absolutely not give a hoot.Who'll pay whatever cost to get the very last of one thing available. Just like those who paid for the very last of some birds,flowers and other life forms. Greed and selfcenteredness have no bounds.
As far as I know the Chinese and other Asian countries are the consumers of Ivory and animal parts for their fantasy medicine and cultural flaws. Being that they usually are neither Christian, Muslim or Hindu that panel of religious leaders is incomplete. So how are they going to make a difference? The religious leaders of China and other Asian countries need to be there and agree to change the minds of their followers.
China has banned the use of rhino horn is not the primary driver of poaching, it's Vietnam, but your critique is still applicable as most Vietnamese do not identify themselves with any religion.
Aren't the Chinese and Vietnamese Atheists mostly?
Xina,
No, while they may worship in private (secret) there are a wide variety of faiths, including Christian, Bhuddist, some Muslims, a few Hindus and Shintos, and some animalists and other naturists. The animalists are chief among those who are those who believe in the "power" of rhino horn to recharge their failing bodies or spirits.
Christianity, Juddaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Bhuddism do not teach the folklore of such "remedies", nor any particular use of any plant or animal (although they do proscribe the use of some animals). However Shamanism depends upon this "art." Shamanism (or animalism) is GLOBALLY practiced as traditional "herbal healers" who may also include the powdered penis, testes, heart liver, kidneys, ovaries, pancreas, paws or digits as cures for certain ailments, usually for sexually driven issues of ability or fertility. These problems confront the very issues of humanity in a deeply engrained manner for many who would otherwise dismiss them for what they are, superstitution. But even with Viagra and Cialis, many traditionalists find themselves trying to put the horn into horny, regardless of its source or cost.
Please understand that shamans have existed within all religions as separate parts from it. In other words, pray to your God for healing, but accept this potion as an aid. Today, we call these people Pharmacueticals, Druggists, and Doctors. But, I do not see Eli Lilly publishing its latest powdered horn tablet or solution for impotence of infertility. And my doctor has never suggested tiger heart broth or gorilla kidney soup.
To 'save the environment'---The Nat G O article talks about the demand in the Philippines from the Christian community there--statues, crucifixes, things like that are made from ivory. But yes, the more the religious leaders in the Asian countries get involved, the better. This is a start. And many of the poachers are from the religions represented in the meeting as well. It's a start!
why don;t they use the dead animal parts and keep to minimum anything alse that is used for religious reasons?
susan,
You have a rifle and bullets. You family is hungry. And you sugest waiting for an animal who can easily outlive you to die of natural causes? A few hundred dollars, but do you get it now, or in years from now?
As a customs agent, how do you know how the animal died? One rule to rule them all.
Hi Susan--I addressed that issue in # 1.14. It's already been tried--and failed. It just ignited the demand further.
Any help is good help, but humans being the blood-thirsty creatures that we are...
I do hope we can save these magnificent creatures! I took a trip to Namibia a few years ago and was lucky enough to see a herd of desert elephants. Such beauty and size. Awesome!
thanks for sharing your enthusiasm about these animals.
Long after you and I are gone, I want my great great grand children and your great great grand children to be able to see them too and for them to say "awesome!", instead of "they went instinct under the stewardship of our great great grand parents, too bad".
An earth without elephants and rhinos is near inconceivable to me, yet is a real possibility with ever increasing human population and abuse of Nature.
save the environment, I agree with most everything you said. The one thing I hope we can change is that "we save the animals for "our" future generations". Seems all about us again. To me it should be about the animals themselves, not whether or not a human ever gets to see one. If there were two millions elephants and they were safe from man (which is pure fantasy I know), then wouldn't it been enough just to now they were safe and living the lives they were intended to. Not to become entertainment for humans. This would apply to all animals, and human animal as entertainment at the price of their freedom and welfare, at least ideally.
I do understand where your coming from, and your thoughts on this, and it is a good place, just wanted to address this issue, that I hear a lot from many good people.
Chirs150, I really don't know what to say to you, and I know your not alone in your thinking. Perhaps this is enough to say: "I wish you were the only one who feels the way you do about animals!"
I guess the relidgious leaders and there muslim followers meet together when theypass on to the next world ==coyote
Why can't they unite to stop the sensles slaughter of human beings?
I'm just glad they united about SOMETHing.
The slaughter of humans is never senseless. There is always feelings and consciousness, and there is always a meaning or purpose for it. Of course, one may disagree with the meaning or purpose, but that does not negate it for those who commit the murder.
The slaughter of elephants and rhinos is not senseless either. Asian culture wants it to carve elaborate ornaments. The issue we face is whether the ivory elephants & rhinos produce is worth more than their lives.
Someone should have created a faux ivory product decades ago.
L8N8,
Actually, despite the shouts of Jihad, God's Purpose, or Divine Right; war is always about land, power and survival. Any war history, including the Bible, will demonstrate the goals of new land to occupy; new peoples to control and wealth to take; or battles of last resort from people suffering from drought, attack by other larger enemies, or internal societal collapse.
Koatz,
Most asian imports will be ground to powder and used to create shamanistic remedies for a failing heart or sex-life. Artworks, your carvings, are dangerous to own or trade due to their illicit nature.
this is goofy kill each other but unite on saving animals good thing we have priorities straight not saying saving animals isnt but wow.
It's called the circle-of-life. Like it or not, humans and animals co-exist. Eliminate one, and - inevitably - you eliminate the other.
There are way more humans on this planet than there are any other 'higher' animals and why....because we're greedy pigs who can't bear to allow anything the space to live in peace. Elephants are highly intelligent, family orientated animals who have the unfortunate tusks that we can't keep our hands off of. Rhinos have giant finger-nails on their faces that we can't leave alone. Neither are anything we can't live without. The fact that so many groups of people go so far out of their way to kill every other living thing on this planet in the name of money is disgusting. I'm not a religious person but if these religious leaders can get their people to stand up and protect the planet - I'm behind them 100%.
It`s about time religions show they`re good for something. Now all we need is people to catch a clue that the other life forms on this planet are just as entitled to survive. Lets face it ,7 billion people on earth....they aint all miracles.
Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, Bible, Proverbs 12:10
When the cloud lifted from above the tent, Miriam’s skin was leprous—it became as white as snow. Aaron turned toward her and saw that she had a defiling skin disease, Bible, Numbers 12:10
Rhino and elephant ivory is used in Asian medicine. It is pure nonsense but that does not stop many Asians from buying the crap. Since the major religion in East Asia is Buddhist, how come no Buddhist leaders were not invited? Seems to me they would have the most influence on their people. Someway we must educate the people of the world out of silly superstitious nonsense but old ideas die hard.
Make possession of a Rhino horn n instant death penalty
As long as the people caught are not blacks. I don't mean to sound like the opposite of a racist but Black folks in Africa don't do it out of stupid belief, they do it for a living to survive. Criminal, unethical, whatever, they don't deserve death penalty over it. It's further down the line where they deserve it, and I'm fine with it.
That's a very interesting viewpoint, "save the environment".
So, according to your line of reasoning, cannibalism should not be condemned because the perpetrators are "doing it for a living to survive". Further, slaughtering and consuming "bush-meat" - arguably, the reason AIDS exist - is not reprehensible because Africans are killing & consuming apes out of a desire to live & survive.
I am not "fine" with it!
I think anything that can stop this senseless slaughter is worth a try. After reading some of the posts and the callousness or "what the hell" attitude I can see why this happens. If religious leaders don't unite to save people than I guess them uniting for anything is worthless-say what? I agree, I wish there was more reaching across borders and beliefs to help all causes but because they don't why should they try to save animals from slaughter? Because it's the right and ethical thing to do. Maybe that concept is foreign to some posting on this site. It is about time that these ridiculous concepts that powdered horn or animal parts "cure" mainly cure male sexual problems. If you don't believe that, do a little research. UGH...just use Viagra or live with the equipment you were born with (or without). Countries need to educate their populace and quite frankly, I don't care about tradition or what people have done for 1000 years. I care what impact it is having on non-human species. There's alot of traditions that need to be sent to the garbage heap.
Have a look at this startling article on just how much muslims care for animals. Wow, it is a shocking eye opener.
http://vinienco.com/2012/09/21/muslim-arrested-torturing-raping-horse-spain/
Judd,
I can show you virtually the same headlines from Kentucky, Wyoming, Montana, or Idaho. Suppose they're all Muslims as well? Shocking as it may be, all races and faiths produce a""holes.
Why don't we just kill every animal on earth and be done with it? It's going to happen anyway. Sad but true. It's not about how Muslims care for animals, they sure as hell don't care about humans; it's about money. Ultimately, the earth will have to cycle out humans and start over. We just think animals will keep reproducing and all will be fine. Seriously......The Chinese think aphrodisiacs exist in the tusks of elephants and rhinos. And I believe the tooth fairy puts money under my pillow. That's how disconnected humanity is. Let's not get started on whale hunting....
Other animals are nearing extinction because of the same people and their folk medicine. For example tigers. Large sharks and sting rays are caught with small parts sliced off the fish and sent to Asia, as a delicacy. Whales also need to be left alone, and if you overfish and kill all fishstocks in your waters, why do certain countries feel they can go do the same in other parts of the globe?
According to Psalm 104:29-30 animals also have souls, and horses in heaven are mentioned in Revelation 19:14. In heaven there is a transparent sea according to Revelation 4:6. People who have had near death experiences, i.e. those who have visited the afterlife while clinically dead before being resuscitated back to life have reported seeing their dead pets in an animal heaven. According to Proverbs 12:10 a righteous man regards the life of his animal. Unlike humans and fallen angels or demons, animals are in a state of innocence, being ignorant of the existence of God and Satan.
On the next, Maury---
You said the Bible, Psalm 104: 29-30 said animals had souls...
That's a lie.
And oh by the way....you ARE the father!
Read the New King James Version of the Bible Chesty Puller and you will see that I am not lying. Read the whole post too. Why am I the father of what exactly, Puller, I really don't have a clue what you are ranting about.
See Atheist Scum? We religious people are very hip, trendy and "up" on the latest celeb causes---we're doing right by the rhinos.
Oh hmmmm....you're a Christian by the way? Yep "right" is the perfect word for you. I'm an agnostic and your words even offend me. Do you know the meaning of the word AGNOSTIC? I'm guessing NO, because you're too busy thumping that bible.
How was what he said offensive to you (aside from the atheist scum part)? Gees, people are so sensitive these days.
Ban all products imported from Asia-Japan promised they would stop whaling and the next year they were back out there killing more whales. Also their government gave some of the money collected for the tsunami relief fund to the whalers. Buy American if you can.
I've seen this same @!$%# for 20 yrs. They even passed a shoot on site for poachers for the African malitia. I guess they got paid to look the other way just like lobbyist in congress.
what is wrong with this picture???? Christians, Muslims, Hindus unite in the name of slain elephants and rhinos, but can't get it together in the name of slain human beings?????
RMH419, That is another issue and horrific. There is plenty of talk about human murders and suffering. This article is about the animals that are murdered and suffer and many like yourself seem to have a hard time beng empathic towards anything but humans, apparently. We happen to be humans so your concern is understandable, it concerns me too, but let's allow for other horrific actions to be addressed as well. Certainly we can do so, much better by the animals than we do. Agreed?
this is refreshing. three religious orders coming together, not to argue about the supremacy of their God, but to save wildlife. the next step is to arm them with night goggles, flak jackets, m-16's and above, 9mm pistols with many loaded clips, rocket launchers and heat seeking missiles - and then to begin killing every one who even resembles a poacher. trace the money back to the organization and send in assassin teams to eradicate them and their families - as they have eradicated elephant and rhino families. this will send the message. until you begin killing these ingrates, profit at an cost non-humans, nothing will change, pray all you want, but if you want action begin exterminating them as they are exterminating our wonderful animals so freely given to us.
I want to add that they need to unite in the senseless slaughter and eating of pigs and cows. wow that makes me feel better saying that. Go green eat lettuce.
Christians care about and have compassion for slain animals and animals that are poached. I just hope people will start treating Christians on the same level they do animals.
to Dev79 - it won't happen because Jesus said "you will be hated because of Me." But he also said that "if anyone hates you and curses you and mocks you because of Me, REJOICE ! because your reward in Heaven is great !"
Just keep praising the Lord and ignore the atheists and haters.