Life can be a rollercoaster with its ups and downs. We work, play, consume, sleep – but we also experience pain. No matter our age or situation, we all have our own challenges that make life harder than we’d prefer. But here’s a thought: What if none of this would be happening if we were never born? This is the idea behind Raphael Samuel’s controversial belief that being born without consent is a reason to sue your own parents.
Samuel, a 27-year-old anti-natalist from Mumbai, India, has been sparking quite a debate with his Facebook page, “Nihilanand.” Through videos and memes, he passionately defends his belief that being brought into this imperfect world without our permission is unjust.
Some people think he’s joking, others find him insensitive, but regardless, he has managed to grab everyone’s attention. With his fake black beard and dark sunglasses, Samuel may seem a bit eccentric, but he is determined to make his point. He argues that parents are selfish for bringing children into this world without considering their consent, and therefore, they don’t deserve respect.
To illustrate his ideas, Samuel shares memes featuring brightly colored quotes. One of his recent quotes reads, “An excellent parent puts the child above its desires and needs, but the child itself is a desire of the parent. #ParentsAreHypocrites.” These provocative statements keep the conversation going.
Surprisingly enough, Samuel claims that he has a great relationship with his parents. He believes that not disrespecting them doesn’t mean he is required to respect them solely for bringing him into this world. He highlights that even though his mother has responded positively to his ideas, his father is still coming to terms with it. Despite claiming that respect for parents is unnecessary, it seems Samuel has some good ones himself.
As Samuel’s online presence grows and snide comments flood in, he edges closer and closer to taking legal action against his own parents. People are supporting his ideas, applauding him for expressing their thoughts on Facebook images that declare, “Your parents had you instead of a toy or a dog. You owe them nothing. You are their entertainment.”
Taking it to another level, Samuel goes as far as comparing having children to kidnapping (due to the lack of consent) and slavery (due to the benefits enjoyed by the parents). While some of his ideas might seem like clickbait or internet trolling, his main goal is to emphasize that having children is a choice. In a world where procreation is almost expected of everyone, he wants to break the mold and show that there are also valid reasons not to have children.
So, what do you think? Does Samuel have a valid point, or is he simply trolling us all? Let the discussion begin.
