Lions and Humans
Animal Planet is a cable television channel featuring fascinating and intriguing aspects of the animal world. The lions, leopards, and cheetahs, which occupy parts of the African plains, are frequently featured on this channel, with the traits and actions of these large cats portrayed and analyzed during the programs. Of particular interest are the lions, which are the most social of all the cats, living in family groups called prides. The interaction of all members of the pride seems to be always directed toward the success of the entire pride, rather than to the benefit of any one member of the group. Each member has distinct responsibilities for hunting, nurturing the young, procreating, and protection against enemies.
The relationship between male and female lions regarding procreation is similar to many other animals. It is interesting, and sometimes amusing, to watch a large male lion, with its mangy, disheveled mane court a female. He will saunter over to the female, only to be frequently rejected with a threatening snarl from the female. Persistently he will not accept this initial rejection and will try again to solicit her interest by snuggling up to her, only to forcefully rejected with a snarl and a sharp blow to the head from one of the paws of the female. The male thoroughly gets the message and begins to wander away; glancing back at the female, he is probably thinking, “Wow, this chic must have a really bad headache!” In fact the female is acting as instinct tells her to do since she is not “in season,” that is, she is not fertile and not able to conceive offspring. She will only accept the male when she is fertile and is able to conceive.
Regarding procreation, many animals exhibit traits similar to those of lions in that intercourse occurs only when the female is fertile and able to conceive. Internal instinct dictates that male and female intercourse has as its primary purpose procreation of a new life and the survival of the species. Animals instinctively understand that intercourse is primarily a life giving activity and not a recreational function solely for the pleasure of the male and female.
If animals understand the vital and primary role that sex has for their survival and act accordingly, why do humans try to shift the primary role of sexual activity to recreation and anything but procreation? Are not humans supposed to possess a higher intelligence than animals possess? Or has that higher intelligence been sacrificed on the altar of self-indulgence? Humans are the only creatures gifted with an intellect and reason….and the ability to love. Love between a male and a female occurs when “the will unites and joins with joy and the welfare of someone else.” Love can never be confused with lust. Marital love assumes the partners truly care for each other and are willing to accept the responsibilities and consequences of their acts of love. Humans are not lions or tigers or any other brute animal; they are intelligent and reasonable beings who are expected to use their unique gifts responsibly.
Whose actions regarding procreation acts are wiser, the lion who instinctively understands the primary purpose of sexual activity is for the generation of the species or the human who uses sex primarily for personal pleasure, using a partner as a thing rather than a respected and treasured friend?