If we won’t ban hunting, at least let animals have the Sabbath as a day of rest

by Paul M. Howey
published February 4, 2007 12:15 am

... Mark DePugh, president of the Fellowship of Christian Hunters, has a slightly different take on it. He sees beauty in all of God’s creation. “Can you think of anything more beautiful than dogwoods in the spring?” he asks. “Spectacular and vibrant foliage in the fall? Snow-kissed pine branches in the winter? Only to be followed again by daffodils, tulips, and the wonders continue!”

I’m with you, brother Mark. All of creation is indeed awe-inspiring. What? You’re not finished? I’m sorry, please continue.

“The only thing to make it more beautiful,” adds DePugh, “would be to picture a 10-point buck standing in that snow at a mere 30 yards away! ... We long to take on a nice buck, head-to-head, on his turf, on his terms, and on a level playing field!” (The exclamation points are his and not mine, so excited he is about this scene.)

Let me make certain I’ve heard you correctly, Mark. You say you’re standing beneath the snow-kissed pine branches soaking in all the beauty of God’s creation, and you get the sudden urge to pull the trigger of your steel extension of masculinity and kill one of his magnificent creatures? ...

http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200770202110

to take any more than their family can eat. I could get behind a much more limited licensing, but I wouldn't back any sort of hunting ban. Humans have been hunting and eating wild animals from the day we stood tall enough to do so, just because we have inhumane slaughter houses today doesn't mean we should give up hunting. We eat animals, is it any more tragic for the animal if it dies in the woods instead of on a hook in a slaughter house?

although there has been some talk to change the rules.

Noww, all you have to do is convince the Bambis (Rats with horns) to refrain from dining on my garden on the Sabbath.

wouldn't be out hunting, now would they?

Seems simple enough.

As for Sunday being off limits to hunting, that makes it tough for 7th-day Sabbath keepers to go out hunting.

. . .on his terms" when the buck can shoot back.

in some Native American spiritual paths, it is right that you honor the spirit of the animal who sacrifices itself to you so that you can feed your family. Honor is done both before and after the hunt, and no "trophy" sports allowed.

Edited to add: at ceremony where I have been, the people praying ask that only an animal who is willing to be sacrificed be the one hunted down.