looduskalender.ee

 

Eagles of the Aquila genus have cainism bred in their genes, and that is plausibly why the adults will not prevent what happens. Over the years the view in the LSE nest camera has always been the same – at feeding the faster or stronger gets the mouthful, and the power struggle between the chicks is an everyday phenomenon from hatching onwards, until...

 

In nature cainism has occurred for millions of years, having proven to be useful in preserving the species through the strongest individuals, and also as an efficient way of handling a limited „food table“.

 

People have deliberated about the concept of cainism for thousands of years.

 

In the Old Testament Cain was a farmer and Abel a cattle breeder; they were the sons of Adam and Eve.

 

On harvest day both brought offerings to God, Cain of his fields’ produce and Abel the first lamb of his herd. God accepted the offering of Abel, but rejected the gift of corn from Cain, that is, Abel was blessed by God, but the Old Testament does not interpret the event further.

 

Legend says: Cain was angry, and his face was downcast

Jahveh said to him: Why do you look downcast? Isn’t it thus: when you do good then your eyes are lifted upwards? But when you do not do good deeds then sin lurks at  the door. But you must rule over him.“  

 

Jahveh’s words indicate that the older brother was offended, as well as humiliated in his dignity as first-born.

 

Cain’s name (in Hebrew „to get“ or “to obtain“) meant that he was accustomed to the power and strength of the first-born, to assert himself.

 

Cain did not listen to Jahveh’s warning about  ”lurking sin”. Cain, having lost his self-control through envy and anger, killed Abel.

 

Seeing the crime Jahveh again turned to Cain and asked: „Where is your brother?“

Cain’s answer was arrogant: “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”

 

The message of the dialogue is sharply evident: brotherly love was lost from Cain’s soul for ever, brotherhood was destroyed...