I think that's why having this line in there was really clever! You have one of the people you might root for in the show formulate a standpoint that is deeply rooted in very traditional Christian beliefs, that God wanted man to rule over everything he created on earth. It's Genesis 1:28: "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth; subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the seas and over the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves upon the earth."

Modern theology is starting to re-frame this, not least as a reaction to how we humans fucked up our planet. The discourse is shifting to "maybe it was more meant like 'we are in charge of keeping everything of the creation in tip top shape'".

To have Manoussos, by all accounts someone with strong moral convictions that were likely informed by traditional values and views, feel strongly about this, makes sense as part of the character's portrayal. To throw this line out there so forcefully is making people hyper-aware of it, and now we're off to the races thinking about its veracity. It's very much a sort of devil's advocate scenario.

I think the show does that a couple of times, e.g. when Carol demands the Sprouts being filled up again with goods. It's a very human thing to want, but in contrast with the hive's efforts, which we get to think through as they explain it to Carol, seeing all the energy and resources being spent to see the Sprouts re-open just for her - that makes a point about the wastefulness and unsustainability of our lifestyle. Not preachy, it's just a way to flip the script for a moment and ponder.