Life has its ups and downs. We work, play, consume, and sleep, but also face challenges and discomfort. No matter who you are, life can bring its fair share of hurdles. But none of these issues would exist if we were never born, right? According to Raphael Samuel, a 27-year-old anti-natalist from Mumbai, India, the mere act of being born is reason enough to sue one’s parents.
Thanks to his controversial views, Samuel is stirring quite a buzz on his Facebook page, “Nihilanand.” He regularly posts videos and memes defending his belief that we were all born without our consent, making it unfair since it was our parents’ choice to bring us into this world.
Some people think he’s joking. Others find him insensitive. Yet, there are some who genuinely support him. Regardless, he’s definitely getting attention.
Sporting his trademark fake black beard and dark sunglasses, Raphael Samuel might look peculiar, especially when paired with his flamboyant statements, but he continues speaking for the common man. He argues that parents are selfish and do not deserve respect for giving their children life without their consent in the first place.
He often creates memes to underline his ideas. In one of his latest images, he stands next to a brightly-colored quote stating, “A good parent puts the child above its desires and needs, but the child itself is a desire of the parent. #ParentsAreHypocrites.”
Interestingly enough, Samuel claims to have a great relationship with his parents. He believes that not disrespecting them doesn’t mean he has to appreciate them just for bringing him into existence.
In one video titled, “Why am I suing my parents?”, Raphael Samuel mentions that his mother responded well to his ideas, while his father is still warming up to them. For someone who argues that one doesn’t need to respect their parents, he does seem to have some pretty understanding ones.
As “Nihilanand” gains more exposure and mixed reactions online, Samuel gets closer to actually suing his parents. People are backing his ideas, telling him he’s making a “valid point” on Facebook posts stating, “Your parents had you instead of a toy or a dog. You owe them nothing. You are their entertainment.”
Samuel has even gone so far as to compare having children to kidnapping (due to lack of consent) and slavery (for the benefit of the parent/owner). While some of his ideas might seem designed more for shock value and online clicks, his main goal is to make the world aware that having children is a choice. In a world where procreation is often expected, he wants to break the pattern and show that there are reasons not to have children as well.
So, what do you think? Does Raphael Samuel have a point, or is he just trolling all of us?
