Population

Anonymous Poster · Jan 15, 2001

Couldn't help but notice (in the "California" thread,) that "environmentalists" seemed to be "demon-of-the-day".

I'm going to assume that most rural-living TBN members ARE environmentalists (of course using whatever they consider to be the "best" definition of the term)....as opposed to being people who "don't give a d--- about the environment".

I'd like to offer a replacement "demon"... population-growth!
I know this is an inflammatory subject (with religion always lurking in the background), but so what? The only "sacred cow" I respect is truth. And you have to look very hard and honestly at things to distinguish "what is really there", from what you are "supposed" to see!

Let me use an example:

Take 2 islands, of ample size and resources.
Put a "starter-colony" of humans on each.

The people on Island (A) choose a "quality-of-life" level that includes 20 acres for each family (average size-four people)... i.e., 5acres per person.
When the population grows to the point that the useable-land is full, Group (A) adjusts (yes, CONTROLS) the birth-rate to match the death-rate.
The quality-of-life level is then "sustainable" on Island (A).

On Island (B) , the people have plenty of room at first, but find, after a time, that their numbers have grown to the point where THEY now have only 5 acres per person. This is fine,"life is good"...no problem.
BUT... for whatever reason(lack of foresight, religious belief, stupidity, or other), no "controlling" of the birth-rate is done.

SO... a few years further along, it happens that there is now only 2.5 acres per person,... then 1 acre,... then 1/2,...then 1/4,..etc. When the situation becomes unacceptable (1/100th acre per person? 1/1000th?...you choose), "Golly-Gee!" the "quality of life" seems to lack a little something". (Calcutta, anyone?) Even a number of things, other than "room", seem to be in short supply (electricity?,... water?).

"Okay," Group (B) thinks, ""so maybe "something" ( fate, God, whatever...certainly not bad-choices-on-our-part!) has fouled things up on our island. No problem! Look over there! There is plenty of room on ISLAND (A)! Let's go over there (and take the same behaviour that has destroyed our-own island WITH US),... they [Island (A) 'ers] have always seemed nice. ...probably won't even make us change our ways -, 'cause they have a "free" country. They won't turn us away!""

Or will they??!!

Irrefutable (IMNSHO) fact:

EITHER we (1.) decide what "quality of life" we, as a culture, find desirable/acceptable and DO WHAT IS REQUIRED to maintain it,

AND (2.) SEE that others, whom we accept into the group, DO LIKEWISE,

OR (3.) we will have GUARANTEED OURSELVES AND OUR DESCENDANTS A STEADILY DIMINISHING "QUALITY OF LIFE". (heads-in-the-sand, colonies-on-Mars, and "God will provide"-beliefs notwithstanding!)

It's not "the ECONOMY, stupid."... it's the POPULATION!!

I'm a refugee from (previously unspoiled and beautiful) So. Florida.
Been there...., seen that!

We all are the "Island earth" group.

Those "environmentalists" may sometimes be overzealous, and use condemnable tactics, but I think the sentiment expressed in their SLOGAN is a good one....EARTH FIRST!!

(...and I'd hate to see the TBN group begin dividing itself into conseravative/liberal camps. There is enough that is reprehensible in the history of either persuasion to make wearing either "label" a cause for shame! "Save us from fanatics", whatever their creed!)

No "smiley-faces" on this one.

Asbestos suit ON,

Larry

cowboydoc · Jan 15, 2001

Larry,
I agree with you on that one and I think that it irresponsible for any religion to teach the more kids the better in todays society. What I am talking about is not to forget the earth and full speed ahead. What I am talking about are regulations that do no more good than fuel the corporate pockets or cost hard working people their way of life when their way of life does nothing to adversely affect the environment. There are environmentalists and then there are environmentalist wackos. Why does every other state in the northwest suffer because of So. Cals problems? Why when we already have all the overcrowding are we still letting immigrants in at an all time high? Big govt. and big business.
Richard

rekees · Jan 15, 2001

Larry

You're not going to get any flames from me. Think you hit the nail on the head. What's really sad is mankind's inability to control over-population. We have the knowledge and technology but not the will. Suspect that in the not too distant future Mother Earth will be making an "adjustment" in our numbers if we fail to do it ourselves first. Pay me now or pay me later.

Interesting that you posted your message in a tractor forum since the tractor has made it possible to produce enough food to feed (create) 6 billion people. However, that buffet will be closed in about 40 years when the oil runs out. Hmmm wonder if somebody will invent a solar powered tractor? Some food for thought (no pun intended).

Chuck in IN

Thomas · Jan 15, 2001

Mother nature excepts natural death.
Mother nature doesn't except unnatural death.
Just look what acid rain has done to the trees.

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

WillingtonPizza · Jan 16, 2001

It has often come up in discussion amongst my friends (population), everyone seems to say I am wrong but they can't tell me why. Every day I see kids (either by age or social habit) with babies, like they are playing house. These are people who have never set foot in a church but it is against there religion and belief to have an abortion. If most of these people had pets we would see then on the news because of their neglect. It is bad enough these people are not mentaly prepared to have child but most of the time they are not financialy prepared putting the burden on us thru our taxes. My wife and I planned for a great deal of time and set goals both financial and mental wellbeing before we even tried to have child. I hope things change in the future because I do not like what I see now. The value and responsibilty of family life is not looked upon in the same mannner it used to. People used to get married if they where dating and got pregnant, giving the child the love it needs. Now it is just a trophy, people are proud of there behavior and there lack of responsibility. (sorry, I probably offended some people)

RICK R · Jan 16, 2001

WELL SAID,EVERYONE

cowboydoc · Jan 16, 2001

Willington,
No offense here, truth hurts is only reason people would get mad over that statement.
Richard

gerard · Jan 16, 2001

ditto to all the previous posts. I find it amusing that we need a license to drive a car but nothing to have a child. I think eventually we will have to make some tough choices in this country but the liberals will push that off as long as possible. It basically comes down to responsibility. Responsible people don't take on burdens they can't take care of themselves (ie children). Irresponsible people really don't care what the ramifications of their actions are because the responsible people will always bail them out. Sorry I couldn't send any flames your way Larry!

Bird · Jan 16, 2001

Who was it that wrote something about knowing God once said, in the Bible, to go forth and multiply, but you have to consider how many people there were in the world at that time. He said he suspected that God would now say, "Enough already." I agree./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Bird

Anonymous Poster · Jan 16, 2001

I thought nothing in the world could move faster than my wife on a shopping spree until I saw this.......
http://www.worldgame.org/worldometers/worldcrew.html