Nathan Weaver, a Clemson University student, wanted to put together a project to help turtles cross roads safely.  As he set about to do his school assignment, he discovered much more than he bargained for, a peek into the dark souls of some human beings - not a few.

Weaver placed realistic rubber turtles in the middle of a busy road near campus, then from a distance, he observed for the next hour.  Seven drivers intentionally ran over the turtle and several more swerved to intentionally hit the helpless animal, but missed!

"It was a bit surprising.  I've heard of people, and from friends who knew people, that ran over turtles, but to see it out here like this was a bit shocking," said 22-year-old Weaver, a senior at Clemson's School of Agriculture, Forest and Environmental Sciences.  The targeting of turtles isn't surprising to seasoned researchers.  "It is the dark side of human nature," said Hal Herzog, a Western Carolina University psychology professor. 

I am shocked, but not really surprised.  The Bible says, "Know this, that in the last days perilous times shall come, for men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God" 2 Timothy 3:1-4. 

"A righteous man regards the life of his beast, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel" Proverbs 12:10. 

Jesus said concerning the last days, "Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold" Matthew 24:12

Cruelty used to be a rare incident, but as we draw nearer to the return of the Lord, people have become cruel to animals, with no regard to their suffering.  This is a sign that we are living in the last days.

The good news is that God can change hearts.  "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away, behold, all things become new" 2 Corinthians 5:17. 

Are you saved and living in the newness of life that only Jesus can provide?  If not, please visit the How Can I Be Saved page of this website.  God loves you and wants to give you a new life, one filled with love, peace and the joy of the Lord - the only way to live!  God bless you.