Vulture Stalking a Child
In March 1993, photographer Kevin Carter made a trip to southern Sudan, where he took now iconic photo of a vulture preying upon an emaciated Sudanese toddler near the village of Ayod. Carter said he waited about 20 minutes, hoping that the vulture would spread its wings. It didn’t. Carter snapped the haunting photograph and chased the vulture away. (The parents of the girl were busy taking food from the same UN plane Carter took to Ayod).
The photograph was sold to The New York Times where it appeared for the first time on March 26, 1993 as ‘metaphor for Africa’s despair’. Practically overnight hundreds of people contacted the newspaper to ask whether the child had survived, leading the newspaper to run an unusual special editor’s note saying the girl had enough strength to walk away from the vulture, but that her ultimate fate was unknown. Journalists in the Sudan were told not to touch the famine victims, because of the risk of transmitting disease, but Carter came under criticism for not helping the girl. ”The man adjusting his lens to take just the right frame of her suffering might just as well be a predator, another vulture on the scene,” read one editorial.
Carter eventually won the Pulitzer Prize for this photo, but he couldn’t enjoy it. “I’m really, really sorry I didn’t pick the child up,” he confided in a friend. Consumed with the violence he’d witnessed, and haunted by the questions as to the little girl’s fate, he committed suicide three months later.
They say God exists.
Z-82
August 30, 2009 at 1:51 pm
Yes God exist and gave free will to people. this is a result of those greedy governments who rules their people to death. Its not God’s fault.
ME..
November 25, 2010 at 12:45 am
The only thing necessary for evil to succeed is for good men (and gods) to do nothing. If there is a god, I haven’t seen very much evidence that he is good; there’s too much evil in the world going on for there to exist a ‘good’ god. For, if god expects man to do good, where is the example he sets for us?
nightfly44
March 15, 2011 at 12:21 am
Evil exists. We all agree that. What is the opposite of evil?…..Good or Right, of course. Everything starts somewhere! Right? So, it would be safe to say that because there is so much evil and sadness in the world it had to originate from somewhere. There is a source. The answer simply is the devil, not consequence. Therefore, the opposite of evil being, Good, originated from somewhere as well. The Lord God Himself. So, the real question should not be “if there is a God why is there so much evil”, but actually, “how did all this evil come to exist?”. It never came from God. Tragedy, illness, Tsunamis, disasters, death, etc is not God’s doing. It’s the result of sin, and the author of sin is the Devil himself.
God never intended for there to be thorns and thistles or pain and heartache beyond words! The result is Sin. Who sinned first? It was Adam, and its us, who on a daily basis fall so short of perfection, which is who God is.
However, He is merciful!!!! Despite our failures and our faults, He opens His arms to receive any who’ll receive His Son, Jesus Christ, who paid the consequence of our sin on the cross. All we have to do is believe in Him, repent of our sin, trust Him as our Saviour, and afterward we can move on in life with purpose. What purpose? That not all have to suffer like this forever. That God has prepared a place, Heaven, without sin, without tears, without death.
In ending, the question many have is “how could a loving God allow such miserable pain and suffering in the world?…..response…..”how is it that so many reject the love and mercy of God, and not seeing that He is not the cause of sin”….ask yourself this question. You may find there is so much more to God than what we see!!!! Read the Bible, not opinions or religions
Neil
March 20, 2011 at 3:22 am
No God indeed. And yes, I’ve studied the Bible and can quote scripture from it better than most practicing Christians.
So you think this child (or any other) suffers and dies because a woman ate an apple she was told not to? Because that’s what you’re saying, essentially. That God allows unimaginable suffering, sickness and famine, countless times over, to innocent men, women and children, merely because the first ONE woman he made broke a rule that he must have known in his omnipotence that she would break?
If that doesn’t sound absolutely mad and criminally insane to you then you must be out of your mind as well.
The Biblical story of God tells a tale of a creator who makes the rules, knowing that they will be broken and then punishes trillions of people afterward, for the rest of eternity, by creating suffering and evil (Isaiah 45:7). Then he demands that these same people he has made to suffer worship and love him or else he will make them suffer for eternity by burning them forever in Hell after they die. And by this we know he loves us. Again, madness.
As has been said before: Either God can do nothing to stop catastrophes, or he doesn’t care to, or he doesn’t exist. God is either impotent, evil, or imaginary.
Sam
March 22, 2011 at 5:07 am
amen i say to you!!
Trent
May 27, 2011 at 2:46 am
@Sam
He sent an example, and we crucified him.
“So you think this child (or any other) suffers and dies because a woman ate an apple she was told not to?”
It wasn’t an apple it was from the tree of knowledge, do not take this literally or you are a mere fool. That statement alone contradicts your knowledge of the scriptures, which are in all honesty somewhat of a chinese whisper to what was originally intended.
You evidently and much like others do not know what “Free will” truly is, and when God refers to us being made in his images, this is exactly what he means. He made us perfect, like himself he also gave us one thing he had that no other creature possessed. Free will… This entails a lot more than just decision making of right from wrong, but the ability to also acknowledged right from wrong. Now he created us to be like him giving us decision and choice… He made us perfect like him… He does not make the same mistake as us, despite us being exactly like him, other than being omnipotent. We are more like him, that people realise… With that in mind, the way God would see it is… *I give you the decisions to do good things, but why do you always pick the bad? Despite knowing right from wrong????? Why should he make right of all our wrong doings? When he gave us everything we needed and more, he could have made us like robots and taken away our ability to think and feel and make our own decisions. So that’s it, you go and blame God for giving you the ability to make choices, its not his fault 90% of mankind choose the latter.
Dont claim to have studied anything! because your only spouting off the negatives Catholics like shove down peoples throats… I recognise that religion is corrupt, and God already was aware of this in the future hence a warning to those who change the word of it. But religion believe it or not was scrapped when Jesus paid for sin, there was no chosen any more “forgive them because they do not know what they do.” This paid for ALL man’s sin, now its not a case of God letting it happen in fact he’s giving people a chance. Before he “corrects” mankind’s mistakes he’s given those who are worthy a chance to do right to separate pure evil to those who are just born into sin.
Its the same as most religious people believe we go to heaven when we die, and hell if we was bad in life. This isn’t true, it clearly says who goes to heaven and its no more than 144,000. Hell is a miss interpreted more than likely on purpose by Catholics… I’ll brake it down for people… Why do people get made to believe in old wise tales that its under ground? Because its funny that the word Hell actually means grave, and pretty much means if you “sin you will go to hell/grave.” there’s more to this but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out.
You don’t need religion to believe in God, and you would be ignorant to believe you do.
Ben
September 19, 2011 at 1:10 pm
Amen! God exist and he allows certain things to happen for the good!
stpehania
October 18, 2011 at 4:00 am
Free will. How convenient for God.
Joe
December 9, 2011 at 5:05 pm
Or perhaps, how convenient for man.
7 And 7 Is
December 9, 2011 at 5:16 pm
God is omnipotent
God is Omnibenevolent
God is omniscienent
God will prevent all evils he can (from 2)
God knows of all evils (from 3)
God can prevent all evils (from 1)
God will prevent all evils (from 4+5+6)
The world will contain no evil (from 7)
But, the world contains evil.
Therefore, God is either not good enough, strong enough, or knowledgeable enough to fix this suffering.
Chad Elzinga
December 10, 2011 at 12:35 am
Its quite simple really. The creator of mankind gave us a guidance and tells us to follow the guidance. The problems of the world is due to man and their greed. If you want to know about how he says you should live your life and look after each other, live in peace and harmony,just READ THE HOLY QUR’AAN translation in modern english if you do not understand old english. Any comments to this reply is welcome, but only if you have read the QUR’AAN. We cannot go into dialogue if you have not read it.
LADYWANTTOBEPM
January 22, 2012 at 6:48 pm
what the fuck
felma tabangay
February 1, 2012 at 2:06 am
Yes, the almighty God exist. He is the one who gave the life in the cross for you and me. hes the one who is their in our trouble times helping us, hes the one carrying us all the way through hes the one of the miracles and the one who haves mercy. If we meet and you forget me you have lost nothing.but if you meet Jesus Christ and forget him you have lost EVERYTHING. when we think that he does not hear our prayers well we are wrong he hears each one of our prayers. hes loves everyone in this whole word. he created the heavens and the earth. he is with us always believe in him.
michelle
August 28, 2011 at 1:51 am
God’s side of the coin is mercyful. All innocents go to heaven when they die. Adults do bad things like abortions. God takes care of those little souls. Wonderful. Isn’t it?
Mercy was available to photographer too. I hope he died slowly enough to ask forgiveness from Jesus and became saved.
God bless you all
Jyrki
Jyrki Soini
January 2, 2012 at 6:33 am
Best comment I’ve ever read. And most depressing picture I’ve ever seen.
nameless
September 14, 2009 at 11:31 am
It’s great that he shooed the bird, but I cannot imagine why he did not help the girl reach her destination. She must have been in so much pain. He could have even helped her after he took the shot. Instead, he went to a tree and started to weep.
MadHatter
November 18, 2009 at 11:13 pm
I think I understand. the picture is incredibly moving and is the ultimate image of hunger, truly a tragedy. However, I think that firstly, the girl’s parents were at that very moment receiving food, which would have made it back to their child; secondly, the photographer did chase away the vulture; and thirdly, as heart-wrenching as this is, it was not the photographer’s responsibility, place, nor right to intervene. Before I receive several angry replies screaming about what a heartless wench i am, let me explain what my point of view is, and I guess what the photographer’s was at the time.
The girl’s parents were alive and present, nearby collecting food, and the girl was also on her way to the food station – she stopped to rest in this photograph. To jump in in her parents’ place is just not appropriate: imagine an authority figure swooping down and seizing your child, saying that you are incapable of helping her, and thus remove her from you, when she and you are in the very process of getting aid in any case. In this situation though, I agree, circumstances were perhaps dire enough to override even this argument. This is where the second argument comes in. Photojournalists were “told not to touch famine victims for fear of spreading disease.” (Cinders. 2009. “Kevin Carter: The Consequences of Photojournalism. http://www.fanpop.com/spots/photography/articles/2845/title/kevin-carter-consequences-photojournalism ) Furthermore, she was on her way to the UN food aid center, and Carter later reported that she was successful in her journey there. What more could he have done, really, than give her something to eat, which she achieved regardless?
Finally, I would like to mention that Carter clearly did have a heart when he chose to commit suicide. Not only was the metaphorical feasting of the media on his apparent choice to ignore the girl’s fate a factor in his depression, but he had been chronicling violence, death, and fear in the area for years. Days before his suicide, a close friend of his was killed in a conflict and another seriously wounded. (Cinders 2009) This man was something of a tortured soul, I think.
All that being said, I whole-heartedly agree that this photograph is terrible and terrifying. It indicates that the hunger felt in some areas of the world is truly awful, and this image alone could inspire tears. Despite the trash talk about Kevin Carter, I think that, as twisted as this (and the world) is, almost the best way to help her – and the millions more worldwide – was really just to take the picture, show the world her suffering, and move people as it has moved you and me: these are the things that inspire action.
jessnutt
January 28, 2010 at 1:27 am
He could have helped her without physically touching her. He could have even told someone else if he didn’t want possibly “[spread] disease.” That law could have been easily followed if he would have told her parents or something; she’s still human. He just left her there. It’s awful that he committed suicide out of his guilt. Most likely there are two lives lost from this happening. There’s really no justification for what he could, but didn’t do.
MadHatter
September 22, 2010 at 6:20 pm
I agree with every word youve said, in the end there was really nothing more he could have done. I believe he did do all he could.
Caitlin Villatoro
November 4, 2010 at 5:44 am
I should restate that. I agree with everyword Jessnutt has said….
Caitlin Villatoro
November 4, 2010 at 5:46 am
I think you are assuming and inferring too much without having been there…you are over thinking the whole thing. I hope that doesn’t happen when it comes time for you to do what is right…when you’re humanity is a stake.
nameless
January 16, 2011 at 8:25 pm
Jessnutt speaks truth. I couldn’t put it any better than Jessnutt, or the picture for that matter.
Jessica Bond
February 8, 2011 at 2:53 am
Jessnutt speaks truth. I couldn’t put it any better than Jessnutt, or the picture for that matter. Actually I’m compelled to use it as a project in my art class and will show it to my history class because I think everyone should see this picture and think for it, for the girl. Because my class mates are very vain and self centered they should all see that their lives are not the only ones they should think about, but then what else can we do but look, take time to look at the girl. That’s all I wanted to say.
Jessica Bond
February 8, 2011 at 2:59 am
I agree; As I am studying poverty in school. I believe that there are thousands of people without food and people who could be in the little girls place. I do not blame Carter for anything.
minnzz
March 30, 2011 at 3:05 pm
My heart bleeds for his daughter and ex-wife who he rang just before ending it all, Kevin needed drugs and drink to cope, his life was falling apart after the Pullitzer, when his best friend died so tragically it was the final straw. As for the ingrate comments on this site, the danger in helping was infecting the girl, not the girl infecting the photographer, she would be weak enough for a cold to kill her. Also feeding her with anything too rich would kill her also, many more died after the concentration camps were liberated, thanks to the overwhelming desire of the rescuers to help, Dysentery and cholera ran riff with the incoming liberators, like the aid workers in Haiti introduced during their relief efforts after the earthquake recently.
Andrew Houghton
January 30, 2012 at 12:28 am
its not his job to help he is just there to take the pictures its the relif workers job ….. he wished he could of helped, and he committed sucide because of this but if the relief workers had helped he wouldn’t be dead right now!
Ellie
February 25, 2010 at 8:10 pm
He is dead because he had alot of debt, unpaid child support and no money. Dont be mistaken into thinking that this event haunted him until he couldnt take it anymore. He was happy for it because the fame that it brought him. Sure, he said he wished he helped her after being relentlessly criticized for not helping. And it was his responsibility to help her, because he was right there and decent human being would have. It is the responsibility of all human kind to do the right thing when the time comes. If he was going to bother to take the picture and spend 20 minutes watching her struggle, then he could have spent a few minutes more getting her a meal. Don’t you think?
nameless
January 16, 2011 at 8:18 pm
@nameless: you speak with a lot of authority… question is what do you base this authority on? something you read in the press at the time? or something stumbled upon browsing the internet? I don’t think anyone will ever know why he took his life; it could have been guilt, it could have been financial strain, it could have been a lot of things. Africa was not a great place in 1993 and still remains a violent and unforgiving land. What is certain and incontrovertible is that hardship, poverty, famine and death abound and this photographer, no matter his shortcomings, brought this message home not only to your sofa but to everyone who has ever seen this picture. I remember when the photograph was first published and it has stayed with me ever since. How many photo’s can you point to that have had as lasting an effect?
paolo
April 26, 2011 at 9:01 pm
Hi Madhatter,
I can’t help it, but I must ask what would you have done !!! One question,,,,,,,, you are almost blaming Carter, please think about that little girls parents, where were they, why didn’t they do something !!! Who is more to fault it seems we all are !!!
Denielle Sartori
November 11, 2011 at 11:01 pm
i feel so sad about this its really ashame that this little girl had to suffer like this…. and yeah he could’ve helped her i dont know what stopped him from helping her… she was so young its just to depressing to look at this.
candice
December 16, 2009 at 3:08 pm
His responsibility is to raise awareness.
The Family helped by the government should provide, are we right to interv or to look on learn and try not repeat these mistakes. Much retoric by many action by a few and the result is images like this and worse are capture each day still.
a
March 11, 2010 at 11:12 am
He could have helped her, huh… and what could he have helped her do, exactly?
Are you looking at this photo and assuming that she’s alone in the middle of nowhere? Do you think the photographer is just hanging out in the desert waiting all day long, completely alone -in the middle of the desert- just on the off chance a little girl might walk by and collapse? Does that actually make sense to you?
This photo was taken near a UN plane, where people are waiting in line for food… Is he supposed to just pick her up and start yelling “who want’s a child?” in a language no one will understand until someone (he’ll have no idea who or their relation to the child) runs up and grabs the kid from him or until his behavior insults enough people that they form a mob a beat him to death?
Maybe you think he should have kidnapped her, brought her back home and hooked her up to an IV and pumped the few nutrients her frail body might still be able to process into her body until it started to function again? Maybe go on to pay for her education, dance classes thru graduate school…
James
June 25, 2010 at 8:26 pm
He could have helped her to the plane so she could get a meal and maybe survive another day. Would have taken minutes if the UN camp was so close, right? I think you are simply just over thinking the whole thing.
nameless
January 16, 2011 at 8:11 pm
I couldn’t have said it any better than you did. There is always someone ready to jump up and criticize — but the truth is Kevin Carter did help, not just by chasing the vulture off, but by photographing the desperate conditions in Sudan. Because of him, children like this one did receive assistance and the world became aware of the atrocities in that region. There was nothing else he could do and only the very naive would say otherwise.
thankful
April 3, 2011 at 4:09 am
I seriously don’t understand you people when you say that it wasn’t his responsibility to help the little girl. So what he took an amazing photo that helped bring awareness to the situation, that doesn’t negate his lack of decency in NOT HELPING THE STARVING CHILD RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM. Fuck all you idiots that think he did everything he could.
Irma
October 6, 2011 at 10:15 pm
@ Irma
Right on! I’m glad to see someone else state this opinion. That’s why this world is so messed up: people turning a blind eye to those in need. It’s kind of like when people hear someone scream, “Help! Rape!” and no one runs to aid. And I agree, it is ridiculously hypocritical to try to bring awareness of the situation of the time, but no help someone right in front of him. So messed up.
MadHatter89
October 7, 2011 at 1:51 am
I have no strengh to say anything else. I just weep like I have never wept before…
Human Frailty
December 19, 2009 at 5:00 pm
Sometimes I want to ask God why He doesn’t do something about world hunger.
Why don’t you?
Because I am afraid He may ask me the same thing.
World hunger would not exist if we all felt a responsibility to help. You are the help that God intended. Instead we sit and do nothing in our comfy homes, drinking our 5 dollar lattes, pretending that this photo is just a photo, not reality. It is real, and we, YOU have a responsibility to do something about it. You saw it, now what are you going to do about it!
Michelle
February 28, 2010 at 5:56 pm
We worry much more about someone’s feelings if we call them fat! If America ate half as much food, and sent the money saved to food organizations, what a huge (no pun intended) difference it would make in both worlds.
Franco
February 3, 2011 at 5:20 am
Well this picture is higly controversed. Why ? I think because, it is the mirror of the occidental civilisation bad consciousness. Sometime Journalism and “information’ are so close of insane curiosity, that give some troubles to the audience that consuming this kind of images, in a voluntary way or not. It’s a chocing crude image, jsut 5 second wtching it and you will remembering it you are whole life.
Life is crual, “God” does have nothing to do with this. It seems that Life have some rules, human beeing playing with it, humanity is 100% responsible of his violence acts. If “god” make some intervention he certainly not allowed any kind of war. Wars are frequents and XX century was cerainly the most violent century of the whole humanity history. So what, one thing is eveient, “God” allow wars, certainly there is a reason tho this fact. Why this mythic mysterious person that goes with the name of “God” ( in the case that he realy existing) then it is the only one to have the respons and know the interest of : wars, violence cruauty!! For us a mistery ?
To all victims RIP to all survivors good lucks
Struggle for life name of the game…
armor cp5
March 12, 2010 at 2:17 am
This photo is shown in the Newseum in D.C. The info there says the photographers were told not to touch the people because they could bring diseases home from the countries such as this one. The photographer was torn between doing the “right” thing (getting her out of harm’s way) or doing what he was told to do.
Betsy
May 30, 2010 at 1:33 am
I hope that when you or I are faced with this decision, we can do what it right, instead of just doing what is easy or what we are told.
nameless
January 16, 2011 at 8:07 pm
I know what i would have wanted someone to do if it was my child and my family were in this situation, everybody is somebody’s child,somebody’s brother or sister or parent, if you see a child suffering like this isnt it a duty to treat them as if they were your own?
Hannah
June 21, 2010 at 5:00 pm
It is suggested that people shall advocate the “2010 National Observance of Children’s Sabbaths movement.
please contacT:
Children’s Defense Fund
25 E Street, N.W.,
Washington, DC 20001,
or emai
SDaleyHarris@childrensdefense.org.
Alex Pomegas
September 22, 2010 at 5:37 pm
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December 3, 2010 at 5:08 am
This might be the most harrowing photo I’ve ever seen. I think he should have tried to help this little girl but by taking the photo, he brought the world’s attention to this kind of crime against humanity. We should all be mad at ourselves for letting this type of suffering go on.
Jeff
January 7, 2011 at 9:44 pm
The only thing that stopped him from helping the girl was his lack of compassion and selfishness. He simply didn’t care enough to help a poor and innocent child. There was no one there stopping him from doing was was right except himself. Not surprisingly, the coward in life took the cowards escape. I’m sad that he is dead, only because I cannot tell him what a horrible person he is for allowing the needless suffering of an innocent child right before his eyes and doing nothing other than exploiting her by taking a picture of what may have been her final moment on this earth. The most maddening thing about this photo is that it deceives the viewer by making them think the vulture is behind the girl instead of behind the camera. Just a talentless junkie exploiting the suffering of others in order to gain fame and fortune for himself. How sad and pathetic to be remembered this way, buy so deserved.
nameless
January 16, 2011 at 8:05 pm
There is a time to do your job and a time to be a human being. Apparently at this moment he found his “job” more important.
Scout
February 16, 2011 at 7:16 pm
I agree completely. He should have done SOMETHING, anything would have been better than this. I’m glad we have this picture tho, it can be a learning experience. How could a human being walk away from something this awful without doing something to change the outcome. That is what makes us human, we can feel compassion. I’m sorry for the photographers depression that led to his suicide. However, I am just as sorry for the apathy that allowed him to take this photo and then walk away, laws, rules, journalistic integrity…whatever. Where on earth was his soul, his human beingness? Pick that baby up and do SOMETHING. He didn’t do the right thing is what it all boils down to. He didn’t deserve to die because of his inhuman behavior but he absolutely failed as a human being on a very elemental level.
chrissy
September 12, 2011 at 8:04 pm
Instead of debating how one man could have helped, why aren’t you asking yourselves how YOU are helping??? You think she’s the only starving child??? Get over yourselves and DO SOMETHING instead of just criticizing this man who can’t defend his actions to you now anyway.
Sherry
February 25, 2011 at 7:27 pm
While I see where you’re coming from, you shouldn’t assume that people are not helping here. I’m a college student, and I sponsor a three kids: a thirteen-year-old named Rita from the Philippines, a three-year-old little girl from India, and a seven-year-old boy from India. I also do micro-lending with Kiva so that people can support themselves and get out of poverty, volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, campaign for human trafficking awareness, and a whole bunch of other things that help those who cannot help themselves. I’m not trying to toot my own horn, but I’m trying to convey that people can “do something” to help humanity and still give an opinion of what Carter did (or did not) do. I’m pretty sure others here help the less fortunate in one way or another. It literally makes me feel bad that he didn’t help her; I sincerely feel bad for that little girl. That’s why I commented about the photo.
MadHatter89
February 25, 2011 at 7:59 pm
whoah…wat the hell
hanz
February 3, 2012 at 5:44 am
Instead of blaming the photographer who helped tell the world what was happening, why don’t you blame the corrupt governments who stole the food from their own people and caused the starvation in the first place.
Jojo
February 27, 2011 at 6:04 am
ka2ac jai ubing nakakaiyk
jessa may s borja
March 14, 2011 at 1:25 am
[...] in 1994. Although Carter died shortly after winning the coveted prize for an image depicting a little girl starving to death as a vulture looked on, Kitsch clearly felt a connection to his real-life counterpart. Tribeca [...]
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April 25, 2011 at 7:01 pm
The good word of god is what this world needs. Study the bible and preach it to other’s because god will come like a theif in the night to save what is his and the evil will be left behind for tribulation.
GOD BLESS
Disciple in training
May 27, 2011 at 3:11 am
The question is surely – “If we do nothing – are WE not guilty of murder” (by negligence if nothing else)?
If her name was ‘Madonna’, the photographer would have had to pay a lot of money to take this ‘Pulitzer’ prize winning photograph. (AND, if it were anywhere else in the world, he’d have had to get a ‘release form’ signed before he could publish the photograph.)
There are still NO human rights or rites for the majority of this world’s ‘humanity’.
AS a mother, my heart is raped by all Earth’s ‘soul-less’ men – the same gender who decided what words & testimonies should be printed IN the Bible – for their own political and monetary greed.
AS a ‘woman’ who represents all those who lost their ‘equal rights’ 2000 years ago, this one photograph has haunted me ever since I first saw it. (It was this single shot which kept me working 22 hours a day to build my social enterprise.)
The words are written, and equality + justice are supposed to be ‘ours’ – yet there is little sign of any real change, (even in the UK, women still earn far less than men for the same work – and the latest Governance said after winning the election, that women’s pay should be equal by the year 2067)!
Did a woman really stand in an orchard called Eden and hear a snake speak to her about how tasty an apple would be? – Don’t people actually think there may be an analogy here somewhere?
What about this one – imagine the Earth is an apple – and its had 40% of its volume consumed… Because that’s the latest figure of over-demand quoted by the United Nations, spring 2011.
When over half the world’s food harvest is wasted and the methane emitted is 23 times worse than CO2…
When 22,000 children die every single day because of poverty & the 7 richest people in the world have a combined GDP in excess of 41 of the world’s poorest & most endebted countries…
When over 40% of Earth’s surface land is degrading, dehydrated & desert…
When it IS known that ODS speed the effects of climate change…
When the photographer – like all unresponsible travellers – used aeroplanes & fossil fuelled vehicles to race across the world to take photographs of starving, dehydrated children to win an award for the photograph…
…Then surely, at some point, all those who have committed the crime of ‘ignorance’ must surely pay the price – which innocents, like the little girl in the photograph, are currently paying today at the rate of 22,000.
If this poor little girl died, then at least let her death not be in vain… Literally.
Linda Beamish
June 29, 2011 at 10:59 pm
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Documentary - The End of Poverty | WatchDocumentary.Tv
July 14, 2011 at 5:16 pm
[...] in a similar way. A decade before Sontag’s essay appeared, photojournalist Kevin Carter took a picture of a vulture stalking a young child in southern Sudan in 1993: after it appeared in the New York Times he was accused of voyeurism and passivity, of observing [...]
Consciences awakened by the camera | Jonathan Jones | Tea Addicts
July 23, 2011 at 7:28 am
[...] one deal with this contrast? How can one stay aside and still coexist with this world? How can one look at the suffering and stay aside? How can one awake consciousness? How can one rehabilitate – not the human being but – [...]
July Vacation Last Days – of Emotional Highs and Lows | imperfiction
July 23, 2011 at 9:41 pm
[...] in a similar way. A decade before Sontag’s essay appeared, photojournalist Kevin Carter took a picture of a vulture stalking a young child in southern Sudan in 1993: after it appeared in the New York Times he was accused of voyeurism and passivity, of observing [...]
Consciences awakened by the camera | Jonathan Jones | hiiraanonline.info
July 25, 2011 at 12:40 am
The saddest thing i have ever seen.
Kristen Biddle
August 9, 2011 at 7:12 pm
Sam – what a load of athiest horse puckey! The picture isn’t remotely connected with religion – it is a tragic human situation created and fostered by greed around the planet. Humans have minds and intelligence to solve all the problems encountered but fail to do so because power and wealth take presidence over human kindness – it’s always been like that and we haven’t really improved from our days in the caves. The only thing that has improved is our means of killing each other and stealing more than our ancestors. Goodness and evil still exist – and it’s all a matter of personal choice.
John in Alice Springs
August 12, 2011 at 2:32 pm
Bad cropping, poor bokeh.
Asp Explorer
August 20, 2011 at 7:58 am
I’m so hurt,this picture has me down on my knees aksing our father not to forsake his children
posh
August 24, 2011 at 7:12 pm
[...] some photographers of iconic photos, such as “Vulture Stalking a Child” felt extreme grief over the photographs they took, tarnishing the joys of winning prizes for [...]
“Fire on Marlborough Street:” Defying Ethical Standards? | chelsy says hi!
August 28, 2011 at 7:50 pm
I’m going to use this picture for my photography class. It’s always haunted me. I can honestly say I feel bad for Kevin Carter. There is only so much you can take before you give in. And hope this girl is still alive and well (I believe we might actually be the same age), but the reality in the crisis of Sudan is that there is a likely chance she might not be, even if she did reach the UN camp.
Ilwad
September 13, 2011 at 10:18 pm
i think this is just because of the government of south africa that ti is not taking care for providing food to everyone if they wouldve the vulture would not stalk the child now i know that we should not waste food because with gods sake were getting food to eat but just imagine if we also did not got any food to eat you me or anyone in the whole world s been there i wish that that girl must reach heaven
nivedita
September 14, 2011 at 10:02 am
[...] 12 April 1994 the coveted Pulitzer prize went to a photo by a South African, Kevin Carter. It was a haunting picture of the famine in Sudan that turned stomachs over the globe. The New York Times news desk bought the picture rights; schools of journalism wrote essays about [...]
Extra section cut from Rainbow Diary | The Jolly Traveller
October 12, 2011 at 7:07 pm
This photo is still generating debate? One hell of a photo!
Zambia
October 16, 2011 at 5:45 pm
[...] THE VULTURE CLOSING IN FOR THE KILL. FUNDRAISER CLOSING IN FOR THE CASH. [...]
BEWARE :The Typical Share -a- Thon SWINDLE is at your doorstep. « Argoweaver’s Weblog
October 18, 2011 at 11:35 pm
[...] the following year. Carter committed suicide in July 1994 after suffering from depression. The picture is very explicit but follow the link if you want to see [...]
Famine; The line between raising awareness and vulture reporting | Exodus Me
October 19, 2011 at 9:51 pm
[...] light, and how barren and hostile her environment is. When I edited this image, it reminded me of kev carter’s famous sudan photo, but thank goodness mine is a lot less dramatic than his. I discovered Carter’s photo and its [...]
Just another morning » hotpixel
October 20, 2011 at 10:36 pm
I have discovered the enemy. It is us. Pogo
Stocky St. Joe
November 2, 2011 at 4:54 pm
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mytradetwiti.com
November 6, 2011 at 10:31 am
The horror! The horror!
Rachel Bernstein
November 8, 2011 at 4:12 pm
[...] http://iconicphotos.wordpress.com/2009/08/12/vulture-stalking-a-child/ Share on bebo Blog this! Bookmark on Delicious Share on dzone Share on fark Share on faves [...]
Vulture Stalking a Child: Is This Iconic Enough For You? - Exposing The Truth
November 9, 2011 at 9:12 pm
Religious comments just go to show that it’s all down to how you interpret a story……. at the end of the day, we all know the right thing to do. If any living thing, be it person, plant or animal in in need, if you have the power to improve or save it’s life, then do it. You don’t need the word of god to be a good person, merely a heart filled with compassion and understanding.
Quit involving religious views and just think about how you may have dealt with this situation differently. In the time you conclude whether it’s god’s will or not, you could have carried that young girl on your shoulders to safety, or bought a homeless man lunch, or said something nice to someone who may not usually hear it.
Next time you see someone in need, help them. The light which may seem long gone in their eyes will re-appear with a single act of kindness. A smile that will melt icebergs.
Love people, love.
Jonno
November 10, 2011 at 3:54 am
The thig is,,,,because there is eternal life after this temporal life, this is not the end all Life, for you or the child in the picture. I know it seems like it is though.
That baby, (His/ Her Eternal Spirit) is being loved up beyond compair in our blessed Heaven, God did not kill this child, God only gave man freewill and the resources to do it. put the blame where it belongs, with MAN.
Love Omnaka
Omnaka
November 11, 2011 at 8:50 am
WOW one of the sadest pictures I have ever seen. God was there in the photographer, he didn’t let it get the little girl he did shoo it away, & in taking that picture showed us, how God has so blessed our lives, & how we as humans can make a difference. Its very sad that some people are so bussy arguing over God. To me the sad part is that country, can live above its means, better than it does. But goverment run it & have a lot to answer for, how dare they treat there own mankind in such a way, well I think we all know the answer !!! Ben you had it, we all have choices, to believe in GOD & GOOD, its stregenthing in all our aspects of our lives. I can promise you ONE thing, It sure never hurt to believe. so to you ONE & ALL try it, its free, it doesn’t hurt, you may even find you feel better. God loves you, so try & love him back. The one thing I think is equally as sad, is that Carter was so dammed by mad kind for his choices, and may I say they were not bad at all, he made sure she was safe, and then let the world know that these horrible thing are happening now in this day & age, while we are at home living in our safe houses, with power & appliance that make our life what it is !!!! I am so sad for Carter & his family, they did nothing wrong, but now have to live with this pain. May Our Lord Jesus Christ, comfort you & remind you that people like me love you, & are happy to share your pain, & tell you Carter made a large difference!! To Carter, I know you are looking over all off us seeing this, please for give mans ignorance & self endulgence. Last but not least to all of you reading this, we have minds of our own, & we do make choices, please think about that the next time you type something or say it !!! You may well just have the same effect that those human vultures had on Carter. !!! Love & best wishes to you all. oxoxoxo
Denielle Sartori
November 11, 2011 at 10:51 pm
[...] Among the pictures on display is photojournalist Kevin Carter’s famous (or infamous) image of a starving Sudanese child being stalked by a vulture. According to the story, Carter waited for 20 minutes until the vulture [...]
Without context, graphic photojournalism is obscene, not enlightening | PARTISANS
November 14, 2011 at 10:45 pm
Adam scrumed an apple. That the beginning of all the problems!!!
JOJO jacob
November 28, 2011 at 3:42 pm
[...] blog on iconic photos that I’ve linked to before also has an article about this image. Check it out here. Also check out, for starters, the Wikipedia page on Kevin [...]
Vultures « anotherlense
November 29, 2011 at 3:23 am
Adam scrumped an apple. That was the beginning of all the problems!!!
JOJO jacob
November 29, 2011 at 2:22 pm
You don’t know the man so you can’t call him selfish, or heartless, you don’t know how he felt before he killed himself, you dont’ know how he felt when he came to the decision to take the picture, he raised awareness, you don’t sit there and question why he didn’t help her ask yourself why you didn’t prevent it and what you can do after you see this picture, maybe we’ll just go on with our lives and forget this maybe not, he is already dead and death is nothing to be happy about, he is not responsible for her, you dont even know the setting there couldve been a bunch of people sitting behind just watching him take the picture and not even notice the girl do you know? you don’t because we’re all fkn judgement and just want to be right. I know I’m not but I just want to say what I feel.
asdfg
December 10, 2011 at 2:53 am
[...] them in order to establish himself as a credible artist. It reminds me (to some extent) of the iconic photo taken in 1993 of the Sudanese girl and the vulture – who was preying on the helpless and suffering [...]
blow up « filmopheliac
December 19, 2011 at 3:36 pm
[...] Vulture Stalking a Child [...]
Sendong Tragedies, Power of Images and Aestheticizing Suffering | Portia Placino
December 22, 2011 at 12:58 pm
This picture and these comments are here for a purpose and that purpose is to learn and purify your own heart. Please don’t be so quick to judge. As we sit and type, the same image is being played out in thousands of ways across the globe. How many times have we, each, been in this same situation? How many times have we, each, been in the position to help someone, but yet turned away? How many times have we, each, reached in our pockets and gave a dollar, when we knew we could easily give $5 or more?
I am not a scholar or an expert in religion or psychology and in less than a month I will have spent 50 years on this planet. With all I have learned, I am learning that I am just beginning to learn and I am nowhere near understanding the great msytery of life and our universe.
I do believe the teachings of Christ offer each of us the opportunity to forgive ourselves and be forgiven for our transgressions and to learn how to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. I also believe that we, all humans, are flawed, misunderstand, confuse, emtionalize and rationalize the inputs we receive. And, we rush to act… many times without giving thought to the potential consequences.
The choice is ours, individually. We cannot change the past and have no idea what may come tomorrow. But, what we, each, do right now is what defines us. Christ asked us to love one another. If we, each, strive only to become proficient at this one request. I believe, we, each, will begin to understand the meaning of
God’s perfect universe.
GO
December 24, 2011 at 12:25 am
Well said brother. Blessings to you.
Love Omnaka
Omnaka
December 24, 2011 at 2:17 am
fuck you bullshit ho tag this
kobe brayant
February 1, 2012 at 2:10 am
bad
lemmink555
December 25, 2011 at 8:38 pm
He discovered the child whimpering in the bushes! (that story of her parents is just that!…A Story!).He admitted to waiting 20 Minutes ,for the vulturer to spread it’s wings!.Don’t try to justify his inaction toward a fellow human being!…Human suffering caused by the inhumanity of others are accepted by many as “part of life…what has to happen before Chrst’s return…and the most infamous of all reasons”I was following orders/the rules)…”.How do we know if a man who waits for 20 minutes for the “..best shot”,shooed the vulture away?…oh yeah,he said “I shooed it away…This picture…This picture!
tolkien Reader
December 29, 2011 at 7:55 pm
What moronic statements re the photographer’s moral liabilities. No doubt there were 10, 000 other suffering children a few yards away that he could do nothing about. He created what is essentially a very effective propaganda image which moved millions in the west to donate money and aid. Even if it meant the death of the child this very picture itself probably saved many, many more lives.
And why of why are there so many fools bleating about God? God was as much in the vulture as he was in the photographer or the child. Omnipotence is just that so get over it buddy.
David Graham Scott
January 3, 2012 at 8:55 pm
God is a fking faqqot, doesnt exist, and milions of ppl are ready to start a war 4 something what doesnt exist. LOSERS
ssdgdg
January 9, 2012 at 2:59 pm
this is a very sad picture indeed,am writing from africa and the situation has not changed much 20years down the line…Sudan is still at war and people are starving,livestock dying,our leaders are to blame but we are also liable for choosing them..its a tragedy.
vanilla
January 12, 2012 at 7:30 am
Wow is all I can say. I will never complain about how my life is ever again. Tht is si sad. Its like tht in every third world country. I wish there was a way I could help everyone.
Maryalice
January 12, 2012 at 6:49 pm
THE BAD IN THE PLANET IS USA AND OTAN….. THE NEW EMPIRES ROMAN
FELIX
January 15, 2012 at 6:20 pm
GOD IS PRESENT IN ALL OF US. The photographer took that picture, in turn to educate the rest of the world who has NO CLUE what people in poor countries are dealing with. He may have been called a vulture for taking that photo, but in my opinion he did something humane and unselfish by putting himself at risk in a country where you may be at a risk of disease or violence. EACH of us has a duty to educate, to lend a hand, and care for the less fortunate. Not enough people do. That is the bottom line. He had a job and he did it well, he showed us what it’s really like in those impoverished countries. RIP Carter, you showed us REALITY and instead of reacting with compassion and gratitude for putting yourself in a risky situation to help inform the world you were judged by some of the ignorant. God is everywhere, in the air we breath, in nature in every soul, we are supposed to help each other, (HELP THY NEIGHBOR), during the highs and lows, somehow that lesson is not being learned and people continue to be judgmental, AND unappreciative. Unfortunately, there are situations when we question the presence of God, god works in mysterious ways. Why so many different races? God’s test to see how well his children can work together to create a peaceful world. Why the different classes of people, from the poor, middle class to wealthy? God’s believes that his children will take care of one another. ONE day mankind will understand Gods ways.
Justme
January 22, 2012 at 9:10 am
i had not seen this photo until very recently…disregarding all the religious commentary that has taken up this space, I would say that this photo is horrible, beautiful, chilling, and thought-provoking. i cannot stop thinking about this photo, the photographer who took the shot, and the poor child in the photo…it’s a terrible and wonderful thing to be called upon and make a difference in someone’s life. this was his opportunity. by not helping this girl, he chose poorly, in my opinion.
maybe symbolically, the vulture was not stalking the baby after all, but rather Mr. Carter?
Tim
January 30, 2012 at 9:37 pm
pota ninanat toy nga nag picturen
felma tabangay
February 1, 2012 at 2:09 am
agyutyut tayu
sairah
February 1, 2012 at 2:14 am
fuck you bullshit madafucker ho tag this photo
kobe brayant
February 1, 2012 at 2:13 am
agyuyut tayu
sairah
February 1, 2012 at 2:15 am
taray…………………………..umay ……………………………………..ta………………………………vulturen……………… tumaray ……………………kan …………………kanen ………………………………na ……………………………….KAN……………………………
GIYALOLA
February 3, 2012 at 5:43 am
wat the hell…kawawa ung girl…d plah tumaray jajaja..juwk
hanz
February 3, 2012 at 5:47 am
nice picture
cesasuiygraikihg
February 3, 2012 at 5:48 am
[...] in a similar way. A decade before Sontag’s essay appeared, photojournalist Kevin Cartertook a picture of a vulture stalking a young child in southern Sudan in 1993: after it appeared in the New York Times he was accused of voyeurism and passivity, of observing [...]
Consciences awakened by the camera « generalpaperpress
February 6, 2012 at 10:22 am
I just can’t imagine some guys posting vicious things about God. The reason why this is happening is because of us, PEOPLE. God is always there, He did everything to make this world even better, but what have we did? Instead of making it better, we used to destroy our own environment. Please watch for your words, and learn to understand that it is WE people that have sinned and must repent from God. Not Him. In fact, we must be thankful that God has given us strength to witness this kind of tragedy and help the needy. God is great. Please stop posting stupid feedbacks if you don’t know our Saviour well. Thank you.
Gail
February 6, 2012 at 12:46 pm
Do you believe “cold” exists? of course you do right? but actually it does not. The same with darkness it doesn’t exist ether. You see cold is simply the absence of heat and darkness is simply the absents of light. Just like evil, and wickedness are the absence of God.
Mike Rome
February 13, 2012 at 6:10 pm
If there is freewill and everyone can exercise it, then where is the free will of the child to save itself??
Kay
February 16, 2012 at 9:47 am
I find it funny that there are so many comments on here about “why would a good God do this, and there can not be a God”….. and then you go on to say “how dare this man not do something about this situation” Do you hear what you are saying? You do not believe in God and yet you shake your fist at God? If there is no God then why would this man do anything about this child? Survival of the fittest right? The fittest in this situation is the vulture or the man with the camera. Where does your sense of right and wrong or good or evil, or justice come from if there is no God? You indeed should be applauding this man for one less mouth to feed or compete with in this world. Without God there is no place for sympathy. Do you see a pack of wolves crying out for justice because one of theirs has been eliminated. If you remove God then we are no more humane than a pack of animals trying to exist. Without purpose, without destiny and without a sense of right or wrong or absolutes this is what you are reduced to. You who claim that there is no God should not be judging a man who by your own standards did no wrong.
Michelle
February 16, 2012 at 11:28 pm
Because all atheists are immoral right? I do not believe in god, but i believe in doing the right thing. Not for some selfish(Ahem, heaven) reward, but because quite simply i like to uphold morality(Which quite frankly, god lacks). So yes, we CAN criticize this man and god at the same time. We are not all wolves, and to assume we are is ignorance. How arrogant must you be to hold a vindictive jealous fairy, as our sense of morality. Mankind has worked centuries for their sense of right and wrong, free of god, give us credit where we deserve it. All of you.
But, to think this man did nothing is foolish. This picture is iconic, many have rallied under its impactful nature to bring, maybe not this young girl, but others like her food, education, and shelter. It’s a shame he didnt see that.
Adrian
February 17, 2012 at 10:15 am
No, I do not believe that atheists are immoral or whatever else you have pegged me and every other Christian to be from a few sentences. I believe that even though you do not believe in the God of Heaven and Earth that does not negate that He is alive and working in you. I believe your sense of right and wrong and your desire for justice come from Him rather than an evolved sense of morality. How do feelings evolve? What happened to survival of the fittest?
If you do not believe, than that is your issue and your right not to believe. I truly do not understand how you can shake your fist and criticize something that you do not believe in. That would be like me shaking my fist at Superman right now for not rushing in to help this little girl and bashing his name and character. I know! it sounds foolish! But if you don’t believe then simply don’t believe! Why your vendetta to bash God and those who follow Him? This actually does more to prove to me that He does exist, because even though to will not admit it you are in conflict with Him. Otherwise, just don’t believe and go on and live your life and let others believe the way they want to believe. My guess is that you are not bashing Buddha or the Hindu gods for this tragic picture and event. The truth will be known, I am not worried about that, I am worried about you and others. I have been to Sudan and will be going back this year to help with this very situation. It is not out of a “rewards in heaven” mentality, again, why the need to bash someone’s agenda? It is because the Spirit of God is living in me and that is one of love, peace, hope, justice, joy….. I am to be the hands and feet of Jesus as He has told us to be. That is the problem here in this picture. Poverty would not exist if we were living more like Jesus. Giving, helping, healing, speaking truth in love. Not being selfish and hateful. I realize that we have not done a very good job of reflecting the God of Heaven and Earth and displaying the love that He is, but just because I am not the best reflection does not mean that He is not love and true. Many Atheists that I know have the “COEXIST” bumper stickers on their cars. If that is truly the mentality than you need to live it and extend that same grace toward Christians. I wish you well. Peace.
Michelle
February 17, 2012 at 5:00 pm
Oh i havent pegged you that way because you are a christian, i pegged you because of youre arguments. And believe me, God is not inside of me. God may love all of his creations, but believe it or not he has his limits. According to the bible. God does not love you if you are gay, god does not love you if you dont accept him, and god doesnt like shrimp. These are all irrefutable. It doesnt matter what you think god should be, if you believe in the bible you MUST believe in these. As radical and idiotic Westboro Baptist church is, they’re right. I can tell you have no affiliation with these lunatics, and i can tell you mean well. But according to your arguments, without god we are savages by nature. I do not accept god, and therefore he should not accept me, by the bible. So i am without god, but my morals are still high. Where you stated i should be applauding this man for ridding the world of this girl…Is that not what you said? As for shaking my fist at god, first off, i would not be shaking my fist at god but the “icon” of god, the driving force of religion. Ill use superman as a metaphor as well, we can debate the antics of superman though we know he doesnt exist(we as in atheists). I dont know see the relevancy of hindu and buddhist gods, as i see no believers here. Cause im debating the gods themselves, as i do not believe they exist. Im debating their followers and the ideas of these gods. I do believe in coexisting, religion is up to its followers. However, the reason i cant keep to myself, and other athesists like me, is because religion does not keep to itself. And im not talking about “You dont believe in god? Youre going to hell” because that does not affect our lives, as mildly offensive as it is. Religion is rooted into culture and politics like a disease. Where do you think we got the idea Gays were bad? There wouldnt even be a question of wether gays could marry or not if religion didnt exist. Abortion, speech, policies…these are all affected by religion. Seperation of church in state does not exist, because if it did wed have no religious politicians. It is impossible for people to behave in a 3rd party, religion will affect their decisions. And religion, christianity in particular, has turned atheists into demons, thereby diminishing the chances of an atheist politican to rise. Religion in its barest form is absolutely fine, and quite frankly id encourage and support it. But the church has become a corporation, and all corporations desire power and wealth. My vendetta against its believers is because you feed this corporation, like or not. And that affects my life. Until that time where a proper wall between beliefs can be established, the only way to preserve my beliefs, is to combat yours. Unfortunately. One last thing, i appreciate your last two sentiments, and please know, you dont have to agree, but understand that atheists dont desire to rip religion to shreds, we’re only defending our beliefs from a corporation that is currently far more powerful than ourselves. And i understand your position, its nice to have something to believe in, a form of greater good out there, knowing someone will always be at your side. I simply dont believe. But i hope youre right.
Adrian
February 18, 2012 at 4:07 am
And pardon me i meant to add a “not” between “cause” and “im” in the upper middle of my post.
Adrian
February 18, 2012 at 4:09 am
Adrian,
I understand your comments and concerns. I do not know what this Westboro church taught or displayed to you, but if they said the love of God has limits then they are preaching a false religion. God is love and to be anything less would be against His very nature. His love knows no bounds. My guess is that you have gleamed your knowledge of the Bible through what others have said or looked at it in bits and pieces to prove your thoughts. If you would read through a different lenses you would see the love letter that it realy is. A God who longs for none to perish, but because He is a gentleman and has not made a bunch of robots. He gives free will. Hell is not so much a punishment for “evil” doers, but rather a place that is the absence of God, and if that is what your desire is and has been He will grant that. It grieves my heart that He is being misrepresented. If you would look objectively at the Bible you will see story after story, one messed up person after another and God’s love and acceptance being portrayed. The ultimate display of His love being in Jesus. Knowing full well that I am not capable of living up to the “law” and perfection Jesus paid the price. He loved me first, before I loved Him, before I even acknowledged Him. The law only shows me how far away I am from perfection. It was not intended to save. But the cross was. I think you would agree that there is a need for absolutes in the law of our land. You would probably agree that do not murder is a good one to uphold, or do not steal, or commit adultery…. these are all Biblical laws. Which ones do you uphold and which ones do you toss for our own desires? I would be very scared to live in a world that would be left to a state of everyone do as they saw fit in their own eyes. I know that God’s way’s are not meant for me to be a “party Crasher”, but one to protect me and live abundantly in whatever way that looks. Whether you believe it or not, abortion hurts. It removes a life that was intended and it emotionally scars the mom. This is a freedom that is allowed in this country and I do not see that women are reaping any goodness from this. Rather I see us being rapped of our dignity and reduced to objects to be used. Angers me! Greedy people who lust after money using young girls to further their businesses by murder. Not just murdering a child but murdering the dignity of the woman. Yes, God has stated in the Bible that homosexuality is wrong, but he also said lying, stealing, adultery, idolatry and cheating is wrong… but nothing can separate me from the love of God in Christ Jesus. He has a come as you are policy. I am not perfect in any way shape or form. I need His grace on a minute by minute basses. On the news the other day there was a report of a woman who worked at a bank and she stole a bunch of money from the bank. She was not a good representative of that bank. Upon hearing this news should I say “see, I should never put my money in a bank look at what the worker did, it proves that all banks are cheats ad frauds”……. of course not! My point is that unfotunately, not everyone is going to represent Jesus for who He is. People get their own crap into the pool and muddy the water. History should show this very clearly! BUT this does not necessarily represent the truth or the God whom they profess they serve. We are all on a journey, one of discovery, obtaining wisdom and understanding as time goes by. I pray that the injuries you have obtained through the hands of someone else would not hinder you from seeing the true character of God. It says that Jesus did not come into the world to judge it, but to save. With that I speak peace and blessings over you. – Michelle
PS. What is the shrimp thing?
Michelle
February 19, 2012 at 5:02 pm
there is no evil, only the absence of good. In order to fix this we must do good wherever the opportunity arises. God exists and gives multiple opportunities of us to do good. When we fail to see these opportunities or act on them, then it can be said that we’ve sinned. No one is perfect but there is a goal for everyone, do your best to be the best. God is real, exists, and is present.
cameron
February 20, 2012 at 11:52 pm
not God but people, everything on this world is set from above, EVERY SINGLE THING
Mark Stone
February 21, 2012 at 8:14 pm
There you go, an argument stripped of bias and and gleaned with respect. But a few things…I do not wish to go to hell, cause i simply dont believe it exists. Two, you do understand abortion is never a forced decision right? The mother is always in total control, and therefore no dignity could be murdered because she already made her peace with her decision before the fact. However, in religious eyes a person is born upon conception, when their soul would form, whereas in science we depend upon certan biological processes to determine humanity, so i understand your argument. Three, Westboro Baptist church is the biggest bunch of religious lunatics there is, and im in no way saying all believers are lunatics, im simply calling them religious, and lunatics seperately. They’ve recieved quite a bit of media coverage over there protests, namely “God hates fags” and “Thank god for dead soldiers”. I didnt bring them up to say they are anything like the normal christian however, just to state that they take the bible word for word, how it should be. Four, Leviticus 11:9-12 states anything without scales in water, “shall be an abomination unto ye” and shall not be eaten. Therefore if you eat shrimp(lacking scales) and other shellfish, you have sinned. I brought it up to connect the bibles stating of homosexuality as a sin, so if you believe homosexality is a sin, then you should also not eat shellfish just as adamantly. Another thing, God gave us free will, then why give us the will to forsake him? All the bad in the world would be corrected if he simply shone down from the heavens and said “Hey” then left for another millenia. We could still have free will, and be assured that he exists by seeing it with our own eyes. Yet he doesnt. To me it would seem like he’s encouraging “poor decisions”..
Adrian
February 22, 2012 at 11:00 am