Mercy for orca unfounded?
The tragic killing last week of SeaWorld trainer, Dawn Brancheau, by a six-ton orca named Tilikum stirred up controversy and debate over whether whales should be in captivity. Those in various groups on both sides of the issue argue whether the creature, with a history of aggressive behavior toward humans, should be allowed to perform, be returned to the wild, or be kept alive. Should Tilikum die? Who‘s perspective is right? Can we know for sure?
A recent press conference with Jim Atchison, president of SeaWorld, showed him repeatedly referring to Tilikum as “a valued member of the SeaWorld team.” This type of anthropomorphism simply defies the bounds of reason. A team within a company having a member who has killed people on three separate occasions would open themselves to major liability, to say the least.
Mr. Atchison is quoted as saying in an online article: “‘Tilikum is an important part of our overall team…Those [previous] incidents and the nature of them had nothing to do with the nature of this event. They are not relevant to this particular altercation.’” The “events” he is referring to are two previous deaths at the teeth of the killer orca, one in 1991, and another in 1999.
The Bible states in James 3:7, “For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind.” That’s true, and there is also another truth. Wild animals are just that – wild! And wild means unpredictable. This, unfortunately, has become painfully apparent with the behemoth marine mammal named Tilikum.
Does the Bible offer a basis for judgment in regard to this aquatic killer? Indeed it does. In the book of Exodus, the Israelite leader and prophet Moses under God’s inspiration, wrote: “If an ox gores a man or a woman to death, then the ox shall surely be stoned [ie. put to death], and its flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall be acquitted” (Exodus 21:28).
In this case, an ox that has killed someone would be put to death. The owner would be acquitted, not charged with the transgression of God’s law which states, “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13).
But, what if the owner had prior knowledge the ox had aggressive behavior toward a human, as in the case of Tilikum? What then?
Continuing on we read, “But if the ox tended to thrust with its horn in times past, and it has been made known to his owner, and he has not kept it confined, so that it has killed a man or a woman, the ox shall be stoned and its owner also shall be put to death. If there is imposed on him a sum of money, then he shall pay to redeem his life, whatever is imposed on him” (vv. 29-30).
The judgment, therefore, was if the owner had foreknowledge of a history of aggressive behavior, as in SeaWorld’s case, and still the owner neglected to confine the animal away from possibly bringing harm to another person, and this resulted in the taking of human life, then, the animal and the owner were to be put to death!
This judgments caveat is that the owner had the option of paying to make things right. If the amount was paid in full, the owners life would be spared, but the animal would still die.
The Biblically-based answer is this: A whale killed a human. The owners knew of its history of aggression and prior killings. Yet, they didn’t do what should have been done the first time around. The orca should have been destroyed.
It’s really that simple. God’s word makes plain and clear what approach we, as well as those debating the issue, should have. To learn more concerning God’s wisdom, read the informative booklet, The Bible: Fact or Fiction. Mercy for this orca is unfounded!
