...self care is never a selfish act- it is simply good stewardship of the only gift I have, the gift I was put on earth to offer to others. Anytime we can listen to true self and give it the care it requires, we do so not only for ourselves but for the many others whose lives we touch.

Parker J. Palmer, Let Your Life Speak

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

A Letter to Me but... I'm Not a Hunter!

The letter from Susan claims a lot for me; the one I can confirm is that I chose to sample a video game called Duck Hunt, the Wii version. I have never hunted in my life, although I am a fisherman.

Sometimes a game is just a game; not a single living thing was hurt, and much of the game is actually composed of animated targets, balloons, and skeets. A very challenging game though.

Related to this is my post on visual violence.
Posted by at 11:13 AM

4 comments:

  1. Dear Scott,

    You are right about one thing: my private letter to you should have said that I understood you were simply "playing a game" of duck hunting.

    Nonetheless, your quote in the article about Wii in Tanglewood Buzz made it sound like you couldn't wait to translate your practice session into reality! It makes you sound a bit defensive not to admit that.

    Now, as for fishing (yes, I discovered somewhere on your blog that you like to fish), I can see why you don't equate killing or even visual violence with that pasttime. After all, there's little blood involved, there's no sound of a bullet or even a scream from the fish. Angling is so, well, almost antiseptic, you could easily be fooled into thinking its just as fun for the fish as it is for you.

    But if you would please put yourself in the fish's feelings or in the fish's family or in the fish's fin (the closest part to feet and shoes!) for a minute, and ask yourself: How would I like to be yanked around by a hook that is gouging a hole in my cheek or mouth? How would I like to suffocate to death in the air, if I were designed to breathe only in water?

    Like most people, including the former "me," you've been culturally indoctrinated and desensitized to the violence inherent in fishing (yes, it's a horribly violent death for the victim, and even if you catch-and-release, it is still painful and traumatic for fish, who, scientists have proved, are intelligent, social, and sensitive, both emotionally and physically).

    For you, it's simply relaxing recreation -- or a way to bond with friends and family or a competitive sport (sorry, I'm having to guess as to your rationale for fishing, because you haven't yet told us why you fish).

    Now that this new perspective on fishing has come to your attention, I trust you'll reflect on it, toss it around in your active mind, ask your heart if you've been unwittingly unsympathetic toward creatures of the deep, and reconsider your stance on the subject.

    I can't sign off before responding in advance to the natural comeback of a Christian: "But Jesus ate fish. He multiplied them, he baked them on a fire, he gave advice on how to fill nets, and his disciples were fishermen."

    Here are the thoughts that have come to me thus far concerning Jesus and fish:

    ~ he lived in times when eating fish was apparently necessary for survival; it is not so today, at least not in developed countries

    ~ he took a "suffer it to be so now" approach toward many practices of the day, knowing he was not on earth to reform each and every one of society's ills; he didn't comment on slavery, on women's second-class status, or even on the horrific practice of animal sacrifice (though he was probably disgusted by the animal abuse when he overturned the moneychangers' tables in the temple just before he was arrested)

    ~ all his actions involving fish were designed to make the point to his followers that our needs are abundantly met when we righteously and humbly appeal to God

    ~ as to what Jesus would do today, I'm convinced that he, as a hater of iniquity, would not look favorably on the selfish practices that have destabilized and desertified nature, as evidenced by our overfished, polluted, poisoned oceans and waterways. The devices that commercial fishermen (and even sport fishermen) use to land their catch are devastating to many species of sea life. Whole populations of species, including intelligent mammals like dolphins and whales, are disappearing before our eyes. (Have you heard of the new indie doc titled "Cove"? It was one of the highly touted films at this year's Sundance Festival. You can Google and find out what it's about.) Anyway, Jesus would call those who defend such desecration of nature and its inhabitants "whited sepulchres," I'll warrant.

    Finally (I know, I write tomes), may I draw your attention to an essay by a friend, titled "I was a fish killer":
    www.sharkonline.org/?P=0000000600

    You clearly have great empathy, Scott. You can learn how to expand it further, to include ALL of God's creatures. That's what I've done in the past decade, as I've increasingly awakened to the countless species on Earth -- and to our Father's tender love and desire for peace for each individual who inhabits it.

    Respectfully yours,
    Susan
    ReplyDelete
  2. Susan:

    The only reality I was talking about was improving my game skills, Susan. I will admit, you are quite an evangelist.

    I mentioned that I like to fish and it is only now and then at that. How come you can't give me credit for not being a hunter? Why is it all or nothing and absolutely no gray?

    When it comes down to our values, we probably share much more than we don't and I appreciate your willingness to at least talk about it.

    By the way, the note is not private, but posted on your website and comes up when my name is googled.

    Peace to you today,

    Scott
    ReplyDelete
  3. I sure SHOULD have given you credit -- and hosanas too -- for not hunting. My bad!

    It's just that I see no difference between hunting and fishing, except people's erroneous perception that one is not as violent and cruel as the other.

    On the subject of not killing creatures, for me there is no gray. If, however, you told me that you used to do both, then realized that hunting had hardened your heart, so you stopped doing that, and now you're thinking through the angling thing, then I'd say, "I admire that you're moving in the right direction. It's great that you're at least aware of what you were once oblivious to (sorry, ending sentence in preposition!)."

    Be assured, Scott, that my progress in this area wasn't overnight. It was gradual: first vegetarian, then after another epiphany, vegan. And I'm only 99% vegan at that, so I'm not completely "there" yet on the black-and-white chart! When they make a vegan duplicate of a certain product that contains a bit of egg (and that I feel guilty about buying), then I'll switch. Hey, maybe my conscience will prod me to change ahead of that eventuality! I hope!

    I have some friends who are even more "black and white" than I am, and they're very kind to me, though sometimes a vigorous "shake" from a friend is just what I need to get me over the hump.

    But, I'm getting off the subject of hunting and fishing. Not really: for the domesticated animals most people treat as their food, the end result is the same. Consumers are conveniently shielded from seeing the slaughter, that's all.)

    As for my "private" letter, I sent it to a friend whose website that is (it's not mine). I didn't realize he would post it. Meanwhile, he assumed I meant for it to be published when I sent it. In the future, if I share something I've written with this friend, who is a former pastor and now "preaches" the Word through his website -- his ministry -- I will indicate in advance whether or not I'd like it to be e-printed. That may be no consolation to you, but 'tis the truth. If you want me to ask for it to be removed from the site, I will.

    I was kindly inclined toward animals while growing up and into adulthood, but didn't think much about them nor have any activist leanings. It was only when I discovered -- after having fallen in love with Houston's police horses -- that some equines are slaughtered, that this spark ignited in me. It feels like a divine spark, and I can't quench it, because ... well, you know how that works!

    I take your comment about me being an "evangelist" as a compliment; it beats being called a wacko extremist tree-hugging sprouts-eating idiot! :-)

    If you're inclined to read any books on this subject, "Dominion: The Power of Man, the Suffering of Animals, and the Call to Mercy" is the place to start. Its author is Matthew Scully, a conservative who served as one of the key speechwriters for "W" in his first term as President.

    Another equally eloquent and influential book is by the decidedly non-conservative Dr. Will Tuttle: "The World Peace Diet." Each gentleman has a website named after their respective books.

    And then there is Rev. Andrew Linzey, an Anglican priest and Oxford University professor who has written extensively on this subject from a Biblical perspective. "Animal Gospel" and "Animal Theology" are two of his many offerings.

    Gotta wrap this up before you fall asleep reading. But, first, may I please share with you a quote by John Wesley's mother Susannah (nice name, huh?): "Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, and takes off the relish of spiritual things--that to you is sin." And that, in a nutshell, is why I can no longer pay people to kill innocent animals for my fleeting pleasure.

    If you'd rather continue this conversation through your email instead of your blog, please let me know. And I will NOT share your responses -- or my letters -- with anyone else.

    A peace-filled day to you, too,
    Susan
    ReplyDelete
  4. I appreciate the kind reply, though it started a little sarcastic. But very, very good thoughts, so thanks.

    Yes, I would appreciate it if your note was taken off the other website, Susan.

    You are a gifted communicator and I wonder if that is your job or hobby.

    Anyway, we can continue to visit via email as needed.

    Thanks again.
    ReplyDelete

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Welcome! I serve Chapelwood, a United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas. Clergy are frequently present for others. Thus, your own self care isn't an option. I hope that the links and posts you find here will give you ideas, humor, hope and encouragement. We cannot offer what we don't have.

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