An Argument from Theology, Beauty and Empirical Evidence
Many people today argue that man is the cause of the world’s problems. In short, they say, there are just too many of us. If we don’t restrict the population, we will run out resources, destroy the natural world and create more poverty and human suffering as the wealthy few hog all that is good. This leads to the rise in the use of contraception, abortion, radical environmentalism.
I argue the opposite. I say that man has the answers to our problems and the more people (and God’s grace, which is assured) he will find previously unimagined solutions to not only to the problems we know we have, but even to those that we don’t know we have, yet. Furthermore, under his influence, the natural world will be more beautiful and flourish more. The culture will be more beautiful and will have greater influence. Wealth and prosperity will increase and poverty will be reduced.
I would say that all the evidence shows us that the more new people there are in the world, the better the world is and the better it is for the rest of us. Fear and the hatred of mankind as the cause of it in the post-Christian West drive an irrational pessimism that creates greater evils and suffering than those they are seeking to remedy. Abortion, poverty and a radical environmentalism that turns the beauty of the world into a wilderness are the results - all presented as love for mankind!
To support my argument I use, empirical evidence from the past that points to trends for the future and by way of explanation offer two hypotheses - one is theological and one is not. Both support the idea that when a society has the values of faith and freedom, and entreneurship and capitalism can flourish then the future is rosy!
Or should I say, as bright and beautiful as the Madonna in the Rose Bower, who peacefully and gently leads any who wish to follow to her son.
The Madonna in the Rose Bower, by Stephan Lochner, German 15th century.
Our Lady is the Mother of Beauty and the Mother of Wisdom, she is the Garden Enclosed and those who follow her and worship the One she leads us to, through right exercise of freedom, faith and God’s grace. (cf Episode 10 - Rachel Fulton Brown on the Impact of Mary on the Culture).
The Procession to Calvary by Pieter Breughel the Elder, Flemish, 16th century. There is no limit to the number who can take this path!
