In the last week, you would have heard about the plight of 30 beluga whales at Marineland in Niagara Falls. The deteriorating environments at the shuttered marine theme park – spalling concrete in the pool they live in, declining water quality, lack of food – had prompted Marineland to ask the Ontario government for permission to rehome them in a marine theme park in China. But the same laws that made it illegal to use these gentle but majestic creatures for show and entertainment prohibit that transfer because the Chinese park would do just that. So the whales are stuck here in Ontario with a new threat of euthanization by Marineland because of the lack of financial resources to feed and house them.
How did it get this way? Even up till 2023, more than 500,000 visitors went through the gates of Marineland, and at its height, the attraction boasted its popularity as being second only to the thundering waters of the Niagara Falls. Marineland was founded in 1961, enjoying rapid growth and wild popularity. Yet since 2012, allegations of the mistreatment of the animals, multiple lawsuits, and numerous accusations by animal rights advocates of the how the animals were used made their way to the surface. Instead of responding to each complaint by smoothening ruffled feathers and correcting basic errors, the founder and CEO of Marineland, John Holer, and thus the organization of Marineland came across combative and counter-litigative. No sooner was one fire of complaint put out than another began. Long term staff were fired for voicing concerns; animals began showing poor health and numerous died under Marineland’s care. Then the noose began to tighten. Legislation after legislation, by-law upon by-law dwindled the basic way in which Marineland conducted its business. Holer passed away in 2018, handing the fight to his wife. By 2024 when Marie Holer passed away, Marineland had closed its doors to the public.
As I thought about what is happening with the 30 belugas, I am reminded of what fighting and fueding does even to a place like Marineland. Water systems failed, maintenance issues emerged, care standards became compromised. James asks, “What is the source of quarrels and fighting among you?” He doesn’t wait for the finger point to take place as he asks his next rhetorical question, “Does it not come from your selfish desires that battle within you?” (James 4:1) Selfish fighting kills. It kills marriages; it damages churches; it wrecks nations. In a generation that is taught the dictum, “It’s all about ME,” quarrels and fighting soon become the norm. Unfortunately, the victims are those caught in the crossfire. In Marineland’s case, it’s 30 beluga whales. In many homes, it’s children with wounded spirits. In fighting churches, it’s people with a broken sense of God. There is an old proverb that says, “When elephants fight, it is the grass that suffer.” It will be soon that we will hear more about the plight of these whales at Marineland, and when we do, let’s remember the lesson well. Stop fighting. Make changes. Forgive.
Just Church
At Just Church, we point each person to the grace of God. Forgive as Christ forgave you! Love as Christ loves you! “The vision of Just Church is to establish a church in just the way Christ called the church to be – true to His Word, loving Him, loving one another, and loving the lost.”
