When disaster occurs, it is classic human behavior for a society to strike out against its outliers--we seek scapegoats. History is replete with examples. So it is not surprising that the Egyptian government would use the Swine Flu issue to single out Christian pig farmers.

But we do know that human-animal close contact is a source of virus mutation and transmission of pandemic organisms. And indeed, many successful public health improvements have been aimed at correcting certain cultural norms that allow encourage these close. And pigs are one of the major vectors of the flu virus. But though they may not be the major cause in this strain, Egypt's action, though obviously dramatic and persecutory, is mildly understandable.

My post yesterday is on the Chinese character for the Home and how it relates to the Flu -- along with some atheist issues.

Wow, people are making such a big deal about swine flu. The danger is blown out of proportion, a regular flu is more dangerous than the swine flu. Killing pigs isnt going to do anything to prevent people from getting sick. According to The Center For Disease Control says approximately 36,000 people die from flu complications every year, so far only one 20 month baby has died from the flu so far in the united states. The media has exaggerated the danger of this virus drastically and its only made people wory and cause un necessary precautions.

Wow, people are making such a big deal about swine flu. The danger is blown out of proportion, a regular flu is more dangerous than the swine flu. Killing pigs isnt going to do anything to prevent people from getting sick. According to The Center For Disease Control says approximately 36,000 people die from flu complications every year, so far only one 20 month baby has died from the flu so far in the united states. The media has exaggerated the danger of this virus drastically and its only made people wory and cause un necessary precautions.

From the article, "Swine-Flu Hysteria," by Bret Stephens in today's Wall Street Journal (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124147910689984999.html#mod=djemEditorialPage):

"In the matter of swine flu -- and the single dumbest response to it yet -- first prize was about to go to the government of Egypt, which last week ordered a cull of the country's estimated 400,000 pigs, never mind that the disease, name notwithstanding, is mainly transmitted human-to-human.

"But then an Egyptian health official admitted "the authorities took advantage of the situation to resolve the question of disorderly pig rearing." More likely, as the country's Coptic minority was quick to suspect, was that health and sanitation were merely pretexts to extend anti-Christian bigotry into matters of livelihood and diet."

It is not about swine flu, it is an excuse to persecute Christians.

How do we know the pigs are "innocent"?

We accuse the mainstream media of emotional manipulation by their use of headlines, so I think Christianity Today should be above such manipulation in their headlines. You could have said "Slaughter of Egyptian Pigs".

Thanks