Hunting vs Foraging

Aaron,

This is a serious answer:

I don't think we need a scriptural justification for hunting as a sport, just as you don't need a scriptural justification for using the internet, playing a game of ball with your kids, or doing anything that might be considered leisure entertainment.

Joseph Botwinick

 

Killing just for the sake of killing, the desire to enact violence and eath, just seems wrong.

 

You see, JBot --- hunting is to be considered more than just leisure entertainment --- The Book of Genesis calls attention to animal life and their creation by God --- He called animal life "good" and declared that man have dominion over them.

Taking animal life has got to be considered of greater importance to man than "playing a game of ball" or goofing off on the internet --- life is not found in a baseball or in a computer --- so therefore, there is no value placed in those items --- but God considers something as small as a Sparrow of great value.

Hunting for sport and just for the sake of sayin' --- "Look here, boys, at this 10 point I got!" Seeing the dumb thing die just so you can count the "points" on his antlers or measure the diameter and length of his horns is silly waste of time and waste of animal's life.

 

Hunting deer in the Northeast is considered a PUBLIC SERVICE.

Their main preditor here is the Cougar ...

then Mustangs, Sonatas, and of course popular Hum-V's :smilewinkgrin:

Rob

 

A Hunters Life verse:

Acts 10:13 "Get up, Peter. Kill and eat."

 

IMO, the only moral difference between hunting and going to the meat market for food is that when you buy at the butcher shop, you pay someone else to do the killing.

Now as to hunting/fishing just for the "sport", I don't, but that's just me.

HankD

 

I don't see the "sport" in killing an animal. It's one thing for food and survival...but just for sport? Kind of morbid.

BTW, wouldn't it be more of a "sport" to not wear camouflage, and to not mimic the animal's sounds that attract? Crank up a stereo, set up some bleachers with fans cheering, and run through the forest wearing bright colorful uniforms and hunt that way. That would be more like a "sport".

 

I am rather vocal in my opposition to guns at large, and in particular, hunting for sport. Remember, the Romans called it sport when the Christians were put in the arena with starved cats and even soldiers with swords.

Having said that, I have seen the carcas of a deer that starved to death during a severe winter because there was not enough food for the excessive deer population in the area. Since man has taken over much of the land that once provided for wildlife, we are seeing excessive populations in some areas. For this, I see hunting as a humane way of reducing such populations.

On Genesis, where God gives man "dominion" over the animals, I believe that word "dominion" actually should read "responsibility" over the animal kingdom. We are not the lords over the animals, but responsible for them.

Certainly there was a time when hunting provided for man's meals, but that is not needed to-day, in most areas. There are still some areas where hunting is life for a people, so be it. The hides provide a living.

If one must use a gun, try a water gun to water your plants. You can squeeze the trigger until the cows come home.......oh, and don't forget to say "bang" each time you squeeze the trigger.

Cheers, and happy hunting for lost souls,

Jim

 

From Strong's Exhaustive Concordance:

radah raw-daw'
a primitive root; to tread down, i.e. subjugate;
specifically, to crumble off:--(come to, make to) have
dominion, prevail against, reign, (bear, make to)
rule,(-r, over), take.

From Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary:

DOMINION, n. [L. See Dominant.]


1. Sovereign or supreme authority; the power of governing and controlling.

The dominion of the Most High is an everlasting dominion. Daniel 4.

2. Power to direct, control, use and dispose of at pleasure; right of possession and use without being accountable; as the private dominion of individuals.

Perhaps it's just as well the LORD delegated the translation work to others.

I often supplement our table with game my gracious LORD has provided and do so with a clear conscience before God and man (right here in the prosperous U.S. of A.!)

I do appreciate the condescension you show to the folks where "hunting is life". (so be it...) Very big of you.

 

Jim,
I have to disagree somewhat. Hunting provides food in many regions of the U.S. 4 bucks in our family and extended family since Saturday. Venison is a large part of my family's meat supply. Healthier in many ways than beef processed the modern way.

We often donate to the local food bank which processes the meat and distributes it. (A state-wide program.) We also give meat to other people. Lots around here are glad to get it.

Having said all that, I still prefer the taste of beef. Although the deer roast I did Saturday in the crockpot was pretty tasty.

 

Why isn't this used in defense of animal cruelty, then? I guess PETA should disband, because if one finds it entertaining to stuff a wet kitten into a freezer, shoot a dog in the head because it was barking...and let it stagger around for hours before it dies, or shoot a buck just to count it's antlers, by all means, go for it. We can "dispose of at pleasure" according to the Bible

My wife works for a Humane Society. The things people do to animals is horrific. I believe the correct translation of dominion cannot be #2, unless it is in a manner fitting unto the Lord. Shooting a deer for fun, and not to supplement food source for the family is wrong, IMO.

 

I am completely against cruelty.
However, I see nothing wrong with displaying a nice set of racks that came from the deer that provided food.

My oldest just took a buck to the meat processor after saving the rack for display. They had a wonderful day in the open enjoying nature.
Yes, you can enjoy nature and hunt. My family obeys all laws and regulations and acts in a sportsmanlike manner.

Personally, I don't have the slightest interest in hunting. Nothing wrong though for those who do it right, in my opinion. Or in keeping a souvenir.

 

Your guess is as good as mine.

My point, which you seemed to miss entirely, was that the Scripture says what it says, and it matters not what anyone thinks it "should" say. No one in this thread has made an argument for torture for pleasure, that is a complete strawman and obviously beyond the pale for any child of God.

Wonderful, then support your opinion with scripture. Just don't twist the meaning of "dominion" to do it.

 

It would be more of a sport......Of course compared to the way you get your meat (I am assuming you are not a vegiterian). How much sport is involved in hearding a cow into a pen where a power hammer is used to punch a hole in its head.

And then you put the cows hide on display for shoes, belts, coats, seats, etc.

The only difference between a hunter and the rest of the meat eating population is the hunter does it himself. Nobody (meat eaters) has a problem with a farmer killing a pig.

 

The difference is mottive. There is nothing evil in the motive of a hunter who wants wild game to put on his/her table. No evil in the motive of a farmer who wants to raise chickens to later kill and eat.

Compaired with a person whos only motive is to watch an animal suffer.

 

I have no problem hunting for food...it's those who do so for the "sport" with no intention of ever doing it for the food.

 

Scripture means "dominion", but context and other Scripture dictates what dominion means, that's why there was a number 1 and number 2. Shooting a deer for sheer pleasure only...and not for food...is no different than torturing an animal, IMO. The motive is the same: killing a defenseless animal for sheer enjoyment. This appeases the flesh, and can not be done for the glory of God.