_That brings me at last to Thomas Malthus, and the terrible spot we’re in; not just Americans, everyone. If you don’t know who he was and what he promulgated concerning population growth, do yourself and all humankind a favor: do a Google search.
However, for goodness’ sake, consider Malthus’ postulations critically; come to your own opinion! Don’t look to your priest or pastor or minister for an answer to anything, most especially whether Malthus’ propositions have merit. As much as any other institution and its tenets, the Roman Catholic Church and its position relative to birth control have been a prime cause of the distress we’re under. Children have this nasty requirement to consume limited resources. Yes! to the extent children replace their parents they are a blessing. But numbers beyond replacement, and, ultimately, the added mouths become civilization’s death knell. When I was growing up, the Church claimed that any attempt whatsoever by a couple to limit the number of children they brought into the world was veritably a sin against God. Forget condoms! At the time, even the rhythm method was perceived by the Church as heretical! A woman’s primary purpose was to glorify God by making of her body a never-ending baby machine conveyor belt!
Right now, the earth’s population stands around six billion; a nearly 50% increase over what it was just a short time ago. Right now, the earth’s population is poised on the brink of realizing an additional 25%. And we can’t feed those we have right now. We can’t clothe them. We can’t house them. We don’t have the water. And the right of all that we currently have to the lifestyle you and I currently claim as our right is what the LA Times article was about.
I want my air conditioning. But so do those in China and India and sub-Saharan Africa. Fire up those coal-powered electric generators. Let those parts per million of carbon dioxide fly! We’re doomed!
Unless, and until, all in the world pause for just a moment to conclude, “I’m not stupid. I don’t need someone else to connect dots for me.” Then dig deep within to find some mote of courage to tell the shaman and the ayatollah and the priest and pope and the pastor and the rabbi, “Know what? The dots you’ve been telling me to connect have led to the terrible, dark chasm I’m staring into, and I think I’m gonna, like, you know . . . head down a different path. You can keep on keepin’ on, if you want to, but I’m just not that stupid that I’m gonna be followin’.”
It’s just that I don’t see the evidence that many are ready to claim that element of self respect and courage. I think we are doomed.
— Ed Tubbs
Palm Springs, CA
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