Listening to the radio some time ago, I heard the story of a quokka which somehow made it from Rottnest Island to the mainland. The surmise was that it had hitched a ride to the mainland on a garbage barge. It had been spotted several times by folk who described its manner as “confused” and “stressed”. The public was being encouraged to keep their eyes open for the animal, and to report any sightings to the authorities so that it could be returned to its normal island environment. The radio notice was given repeatedly.
Now, I want to be absolutely clear concerning how I feel about this. I do sincerely sympathise with that quokka. I love animals. I am frankly mesmerised by the wildlife productions I see on TV. I abhor any kind of cruelty to animals.
But, there is another side to this issue that is blatant and contradictory. Like an unnoticed mountain straight in front of us, it is completely ignored. Yet, it is of far greater significance than the welfare of animals, as important as that might be.
I am writing, of course, about the practice of abortion. I am unable to resolve the contradiction I see between media attention paid to animal welfare and preservation, and the lack of pity given to unborn children facing destruction.
You will listen in vain for any evidence whatever in the media in favour of the preservation of the unborn. In fact, it is politically incorrect to defend children facing the knife! This is in spite of the fact that the slaughter of the helpless unborn in Australia amounts to about 100,000 children per year. It also ignores the glaring reality that they are of our own species. If appearances are any indication—and they are—the lives of animals are more worthy of preservation than those of human beings.
And this says nothing about the manner in which abortions are conducted.
I deeply believe that God will judge our society for its inexcusable lack of concern for the cruel treatment of between a quarter and a third of its own children. Surely, this is an area in which we as Christians should show that we are different; that while we are “in the world, we are not of the world”. Leave the media and society in general to its shameless silence: we should be outspoken, clear, and consistent about our feelings on this matter.
I’ve not heard anything about whether the quokka was returned to Rottnest. I hope it was. But, am I wrong to hope that my fellow believers might take a stand for the preservation of human life?
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