We have been to see the animal displays at Cabela's several times - but this last time we discovered a new to us room. We have always talked about the animals and what happened to them and how they got there. I talk to the girls about how I do not approve of hunting as a sport or think it is appropriate to enjoy killing. We talk about how there are times when it is necessary for food and that we know through out time and even in the scriptures people have hunted for food. We also talk about where their spirits go - and how will their bodies be resurected if they are in a store. I think they feel a lot like I do - a little sad - but very much in awe to see some of these majestic animals so still and so close.
However, on this last visit there was a little lean-to shack in the display and on the porch was a "man" sitting on a chair. You could hear the anxious concern in Isabel's voice when she asked "Mommy, what happened to him?" as she pointed to the man. She thought he was a real man who had been shot and stuffed.
Kids are very good at seeing things in black and white. I think it is our rationalization and justification as adults that leads us in to grey area thinking. Truly, if we will shoot an animal and stuff it - then why wouldn't we shoot a human and stuff it?
I appreciate the ability to hunt to feed ones family. I am grateful to know that if it were necessary my husband could do it for us just fine. I do wonder though what it does to ones spirit to be able to kill without being affected. It seems to me it requires a certain hardness of heart that is very contrary to all that we believe.
I was asked not to long ago if I approved of Turkey hunting since turkeys are ugly!!!! It like asking Is it ok to have sex with an ugly person?
I love life and nature and I am so grateful for the many ways I able to experience both on a daily basis. My weakness in it all is that I really like meat and can't imagine living a vegetarian lifestyle. When I think of how animals are treated in the process of meat acquisition I am appalled. I feel hipocritical about it but not enough to change it.
I guess it just keeps me thinking.
Don't worry, I'm a hypocrite too! I hate the thought of the cruelity of animals while being prepared for the next meal, but I enjoy that meal! I'm awful!!!! I love reading your posts Becca!
ReplyDeleteWoo hoo! I have a comment. I love reading this since I never get to hear your stories from you! I need a blog to get Izzy and Alex to feel like they are staying close to me too =0).
ReplyDeleteMy comment...You KNOW I love animals immensely. I ultimately decided to not be a Vet like I always wanted to growing up is I didn't want to see them being hurt. That being said, Man is more important than beast in the realm of this life. When it comes down to saving or protecting human lives (I mean financially and economically) Human life cannot adapt as easily as animals however human life is of God and in the likeness of the God that created beast which puts man more important to take care of. So when activists make human lives so difficult to protect the animals it seems priorities are out of wack. It is important to teach children to love animals as you have. But a human life is always more important than an animal which some people don't believe like Aunt Ginny! That's as extreme as you can get eh.
I love you and I am proud you are my older sis!