Tilikum, According to the Book of Exodus
Last month's trainer tragedy at SeaWorld has taken on biblical proportions. According to an evangelical pastor evidently given to consulting the Old Testament in reference to theme park disasters, the book of Exodus suggests that Tilikum, the orca responsible for killing handler Dawn Brancheau, should have been dealt with in the manner of a murderous ox.
Last month’s trainer tragedy at SeaWorld has taken on biblical proportions. According to an evangelical pastor evidently given to consulting the Old Testament in reference to theme park disasters, the book of Exodus suggests that Tilikum, the orca responsible for killing handler Dawn Brancheau, should have been dealt with in the manner of a murderous ox. –KA
WAIT, BEFORE YOU GO…“The Seeker” in The Chicago Tribune:
Rev. Bryan Fischer, an evangelical pastor and director of issue analysis for the American Family Association, a non-profit committed to defending the sanctity of human life, argues that Exodus 21:28 clearly states: “When an ox gores a man or woman to death, the ox shall be stoned, and its flesh shall not be eaten, but the owner shall not be liable.”
And according to Exodus 21:29, if your ox kills again, “the ox shall be stoned, and its owner also shall be put to death.”
Fischer said he isn’t arguing that the whale or SeaWorld’s owners be stoned to death. Rather, the principles of the Scripture should apply in this case, he said.
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