Canada’s Magpie River has been legally recognized as a person.
This was decided by the municipality of Minganie.
It joins a growing number of rivers around the world which have achieved legal personhood status.
In India, the Ganges River achieved recognition as a person in 2017. New Zealand’s Whanganui River is also legally a person.
In Bangladesh, all rivers have legal personhood status. Legal guardians are appointed for river ‘people’. They serve in the role of ‘in loco parentis’ ( in place of a parent).
Guardians, if they suspect that their rivers are being polluted, or damaged in any way, can bring a lawsuit to court claiming damages for their river.
Yes, we all agree that looking after the environment is important.
When we see, however, the growing demand for rivers to have personhood rights, we once again witness the diminishing of the dignity of human beings, who have been created in God’s image.
Psalm 8:5 describes how God has created humans a little lower than the angels.
When we see the bizarre trend of recognizing rivers as people, we become more aware of paganist beliefs that are increasing in society.
How should we react to this ?
We should expect the unexpected, and we should be be aware that as humanity strays further and further from God’s absolute truth, things are going to become increasingly weird.
Through it all, we will trust, and not be afraid.
God sees. God knows. God will act, in his perfect timing.
Photo of the Magpie River is courtesy of the National Observer.
Your last sentence is the best answer ever, Sally. No matter how weird people get, God will still be in charge. His will be the last word.
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Hi David !
Yes, for sure, God will have the last word.
And words are so important.
That is why Jesus is also known as ‘The Word’.
Thanks for your comment. ⚘🤗
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I did not know that about Rivière Magpie, or the others for that matter, and the ‘river people’ — wonderful idea.Thanks for bringing this out. Guy de Michêl.
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Thanks for your comment. Merci ! 🤗
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You’re back, Sally. So nice to see you here again. 🙂 🙂 🙂
Take care
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Thanks, Ruelha, for your kind comment. 🤗
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It undermines the concept of human rights if you assign personhood to nature. I guess this could happen to mountains, forests … the list could be endless.
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Yes, for sure. Forests are also being considered for personhood status. As you say, ‘the list could be endless.’ Thanks for your comment. 🤗🌷
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Regards from Wael…وائل
God is in everyone and everything, after the winter comes the spring ,
The bells of joy start to ring ,
Rebirth of livelihood is a wonderful thing ,
The divine is here , there and everywhere,
For all of us , God would care ,
Dare to believe that life is fair ,
In the darkness of the night,
Stars could be shining bright,
The moonlight shows up on sight ,
Being from the divine light ,
Things are marvelous and white,
With God , by your side , nothing to fear and nothing to fright,
Gather in love and with the almighty God unite ,
Our powers we gather and
May almighty God , the warm flames of justice and love in the world ignite
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With all my love and respect, we are not separate neither from earth , nor from nature and God has given us these natural aspects to breath , drink , eat , survive and thrive . The divine light and love is present in every living being and preserving nature is one way to dignify the image of God …Helping nature is helping our health . Love and light from Lebanon to the world…
All the best …
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Meanwhile, pre-born babies… 😥
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It is weird indeed. But as you said God sees all and will act in His perfect timing.
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Hi Manu !
Yes, weird is a good word. When humankind strays from following God’s absolute truths, much weirdness and confusion results. Thanks for commenting. 🤗🌷
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” Wisdom tells me that I am nothing. Love tells me that I am everything. Between the two, my life flows. ”
Explanation:
Wisdom tells you not to be identified to anything whether a thought , a material stuff or an emotion …Love tells you oneness of being with everything …This is the spaciousness or vast awareness where things ebb and flow , appear and disappear . Forms change and things change in that constant vast awareness…
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Thanks for your comments. I appreciate them. ⚘🤗
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Wow. This is a new one on me. And weird best describes it to me. Glad we have a God who remains ever in charge!
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Yes, for sure, that is such a comfort for us. As more bizarre human behaviour continues, God, the great ‘I am’ remains unchanging. Thanks for commenting. 🤗⚘
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God may seem far ,
Shining like a star,
but in real , the divine is so near ,
In the very now here ,
The guidance is so clear…
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Thank you for shedding His light on this, Sally. I had no idea. I agree 100% that rivers granted person status is reflective of paganism.
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Hi Julie ! Yes, for sure, paganism is on the rise. And it is sometimes cleverly disguised as care for the environment.
We need to care for God’s creation for sure, but we also need to be aware of where environmentalists may be trying to lead us.
Thanks for your comment. 🤗🌼
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Thanks Sally. Strange days have found us and are growing stranger still. Those who are close to the Lord Jesus and stay close stay perfectly sane. They are spiritually grounded in relationship with Him and grounded in His Word.
And the opposite is also true. We see the fruit of this increasing.
Blessings to you
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Thanks so much for this comment, RJ. 🤗
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It is obviously to increase legal protection against pollution. But on an ethical/christian standpoint I could never agree with giving person status to rivers or any animal for the same reason as you highlight so well. Hallelujah that our Almighty God is still in control regardless of what the world thinks.
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Thanks, Alan. Yes, ‘God is still in control regardless of what the world thinks.’ ⚘
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Oh my. Things are getting more weird indeed, and I am not surprised. Thank you for the information you share. 🌹
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I agree with you, Petrina, I am not surprised at how weird things are becoming. When people reject God’s absolute truths, strange things begin to happen, as confusion increases. Thanks for your comment. 🤗
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Sally, I have waited all day to share this with Nathan. Nathan LOVES the river and spending time out on the river is a massive way of how he communes with the Lord. All this is to say Nathan and I find this incredulous. Talk about worshiping the creation and not the Creator. I take God’s creation mandate seriously to care for the environment this is just so far beyond! Hope you are doing well.
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Hi Mandy !
So glad to hear how much Nathan enjoys the river. For sure , when we are in nature we realize the wonder of God’s creative power.
Yes, you expressed it well – ‘worshipping the creation and not the Creator’, grieves the Holy Spirit.
As I researched further, I found that there is a mountain in New Zealand that has been declared a person too.
It is surprising, but the Lord sees what is happening.
People need Jesus, otherwise they can be easily led away from God’s truth.
Thanks for your comment. ⚘🤗
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I dont care what some random governtment says!! Only human beings are people (male & female people). Humans were made by God’s own hand not by the words coming out of His mouth. Sigh!
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Well said, Barb. I totally agree with you. 🤗⚘
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Wow, I had never heard of this bizarre trend. I believe we need to appreciate and take care of our natural environment but can’t imagine considering it as a person. God made people in His image, not rivers.
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So very true. ‘God made people in His image, not rivers’. I think we need to increasingly pray for young people, many of whom are growing up without clear knowledge of God’s standards of right and wrong. They can easily be influenced by the bizarre things happening in society. Thanks for commenting. 🤗⚘
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This is interesting. Somehow I’m not really surprised though.
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Perhaps regarding rivers as persons is compensating for lack of faith, yet symbolising a search for one. However, it does make more sense than naming transient storms.
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Good point, Derrick. Thanks for your comment. 🤗
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Good point Sally, certain lines ought not to be blurred or we end up with a whole lot of bosh.
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Thanks, Jason, for teaching me a new word. I researched ‘bosh’ and learned that it comes from the Turkish word ‘bos’ meaning empty. ⚘🤗
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Indeed, empty and worthless; in English it may be used to represent something that is absurd.
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We notice an increase of bosh things going on in society these days…😄
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It’s practical to use new words in a sentence; however, keep in mind that bosh is a noun rather than an adjective.
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Thanks, Jason. Language is a powerful tool, and it is constantly evolving.
Do you notice too that more language is being abbreviated, for example, the letters LOL ?
Happy Spring, Jason. ⚘🌷🌼
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Good point! Perhaps in some respects I am at a disadvantage for not keeping up with the reduction of language use, but for me the ‘logos’ is way too liberating and enriching to subvert. The aroma of your flowers can be likened to the soul; there’s something intrinsic to our nature that thrives in the splendour and fullness of meaning.
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Great point, Jason. Yes, that is what appears to be happening ….’the reduction of language use’, for me, abbreviations can create confusion ( sometimes this is done purposely…). I agree, we do indeed thrive in ‘the splendour and fullness of meaning. ⚘
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Your word was received with the invigoration of an Irish spring in the height of summer. ❤
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Thanks, Jason. 🤗
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Yes, give thanks to the Almighty!
PS: “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt” – Col 4:4
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Thanks, Jason. Salt is a powerful element.
We are so close to the sea that salt seeps in through the windows, even when they are closed, and a fine dusting of salt settles on our window sills. 🤗
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Amen Pretty Picture Sister in Jesus-Yeshua Sally!!
Our ONE True GOD’S LOVE 💕💜 is ETERNAL THROUGH HIS SON Christ-MESSIAH Jesus-Yeshua for Today and Everyday Forevermore!!
I Love 💜💕 you all Everyone through Christ Jesus-Yeshua, because HE LOVED 💕💜 EVERYONE FIRST!!
Love ❤ Always and Shalom ( Peace ) Everyone, YSIC \o/
Kristi Ann
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Wow! That’s a new one for me…I’ll have to give that some thought so it fits into my head 🙂
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Yes, I agree, it surprised me too. Thanks for your comment. 🌷🤗
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I so agree with you. When you use the term “river people” it brings a sense of demonic activities in the river. I believe the agenda is to make humans believe that they are inanimate objects.
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