At one time if you wanted to point out to someone that they are making a fool of you, you could ask them politely not to make a “monkey” out of you. It is also common to use the word “Ape” to describe someone of low intelligence or lacking intellect of any kind. In other words we, mankind, considered the Monkey a low creature on the totem pole. The practice of using these as insults has always been unacceptable behavior, but the use of these very descriptors says something about how mankind places themselves in nature.
Theology teaches us that man was given dominion over the world and all creatures in it by God. More than 2000 years ago the Greek philosopher and agnostic, Aristotle declared, ‘Mother Nature had made all animals for the sake of man but there are moves to put the relationship on a more equal footing.’
So, where am I going with this? In June of 2008 Aristotle became a true prophet. The country of Spain and their socialist monarchy had changed their ‘Human Rights and Obligations’ charter to include the “Ape” as equal to “Man” and in doing so have granted Apes human rights in that country. In essence Apes in that country will have specific privileges and protections under the laws that protect their citizens and those visiting that country. Is Spain making a Monkey of us all?
Their reasoning for this is that Apes have anywhere from 95 to 99% human DNA in their genes. They further declared that the Ape is “self-aware” and they have displayed emotions like affection and anger. The Spanish government sees the “Ape” as their closest cousins and therefore should be given the same rights and protections as any other human under the law.
You would think that every thinking human being would be rather incensed by Spain’s actions, but surprisingly that is not the case. Australian philosopher Peter Singer is quoted as saying, “The case is clear for great apes. Like humans, they are entitled to certain rights. And if we deny rights to chimps, we will logically have to deny those same rights to intellectually disabled children too.” Yerkes psychologist and emeritus professor Ronald Nadler has said, “You get sucked in by them. They’re wonderful animals. It’s hard not to think of them as little people.”
So if you think that the actions of Spain will not encroach further into society, than think again. In Austria a British woman, Paula Stibbe, has gone to court to have judges decide whether she should become the legal guardian of a chimpanzee called Hiasi. Her argument is that Hiasi was kidnapped from its tribe in West Africa 25 years ago. The animal sanctuary where the chimp lived is being closed and sold to a zoo. Stibbe is trying to persuade the courts to afford the chimp the same rights and protection of a child.
Every democratic country on this planet has laws designed to protect animals from cruel and unusual punishment at the hands of man. Canada has written protections of animals into the Criminal Code. Each provincial government has laws and organizations providing protection of animals from pets to animal husbandry. Responsible municipalities have bylaws designed to protect animals and control the homeless pet population. So why does any country feel the need to elevate any animal’s status to that of man?
The argument of Spain turning monkey onto man for the animals protection does not hold water. When you look at Spain’s track record regarding human rights, I doubt it was the protection argument that motivated the Spanish elite.
According to the Human Rights Watch, World Report 2008, Spain violated the human rights of migrants who arrived on the Spanish shores looking for protection. They were arrested and detained in appalling conditions. At times more than 500 migrants are kept in a space that the Spanish Red Cross has determined to be fit for fifty people. Detainees are cut off to the outside world and they are not allowed to leave the premises for exercise or given exposure to fresh air and sunlight. This is the country that is so concerned for the Ape they needed to legislate them as equal to man?
I would suggest that the Ape is better in the hands of the Bronx Zoo than in Spain.
The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights may one day apply to not only you and I but of the Chimpanzee, the Orangutan, Gorilla, Monkey and Gibbons. Part of which states; “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person. Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.”
This is just a portion of the UN Universal Declaration of Humans Rights that all member Nations adhere to. It starts with Spain and Austria. How long will it be before other countries give Apes worldly dominion equal to Man?
Theology teaches us that man was given dominion over the world and all creatures in it by God. More than 2000 years ago the Greek philosopher and agnostic, Aristotle declared, ‘Mother Nature had made all animals for the sake of man but there are moves to put the relationship on a more equal footing.’
So, where am I going with this? In June of 2008 Aristotle became a true prophet. The country of Spain and their socialist monarchy had changed their ‘Human Rights and Obligations’ charter to include the “Ape” as equal to “Man” and in doing so have granted Apes human rights in that country. In essence Apes in that country will have specific privileges and protections under the laws that protect their citizens and those visiting that country. Is Spain making a Monkey of us all?
Their reasoning for this is that Apes have anywhere from 95 to 99% human DNA in their genes. They further declared that the Ape is “self-aware” and they have displayed emotions like affection and anger. The Spanish government sees the “Ape” as their closest cousins and therefore should be given the same rights and protections as any other human under the law.
You would think that every thinking human being would be rather incensed by Spain’s actions, but surprisingly that is not the case. Australian philosopher Peter Singer is quoted as saying, “The case is clear for great apes. Like humans, they are entitled to certain rights. And if we deny rights to chimps, we will logically have to deny those same rights to intellectually disabled children too.” Yerkes psychologist and emeritus professor Ronald Nadler has said, “You get sucked in by them. They’re wonderful animals. It’s hard not to think of them as little people.”
So if you think that the actions of Spain will not encroach further into society, than think again. In Austria a British woman, Paula Stibbe, has gone to court to have judges decide whether she should become the legal guardian of a chimpanzee called Hiasi. Her argument is that Hiasi was kidnapped from its tribe in West Africa 25 years ago. The animal sanctuary where the chimp lived is being closed and sold to a zoo. Stibbe is trying to persuade the courts to afford the chimp the same rights and protection of a child.
Every democratic country on this planet has laws designed to protect animals from cruel and unusual punishment at the hands of man. Canada has written protections of animals into the Criminal Code. Each provincial government has laws and organizations providing protection of animals from pets to animal husbandry. Responsible municipalities have bylaws designed to protect animals and control the homeless pet population. So why does any country feel the need to elevate any animal’s status to that of man?
The argument of Spain turning monkey onto man for the animals protection does not hold water. When you look at Spain’s track record regarding human rights, I doubt it was the protection argument that motivated the Spanish elite.
According to the Human Rights Watch, World Report 2008, Spain violated the human rights of migrants who arrived on the Spanish shores looking for protection. They were arrested and detained in appalling conditions. At times more than 500 migrants are kept in a space that the Spanish Red Cross has determined to be fit for fifty people. Detainees are cut off to the outside world and they are not allowed to leave the premises for exercise or given exposure to fresh air and sunlight. This is the country that is so concerned for the Ape they needed to legislate them as equal to man?
I would suggest that the Ape is better in the hands of the Bronx Zoo than in Spain.
The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights may one day apply to not only you and I but of the Chimpanzee, the Orangutan, Gorilla, Monkey and Gibbons. Part of which states; “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person. Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.”
This is just a portion of the UN Universal Declaration of Humans Rights that all member Nations adhere to. It starts with Spain and Austria. How long will it be before other countries give Apes worldly dominion equal to Man?
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