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A Mary T. Hoffman Commentary from All-Creatures.org

 

"Joyful Curmudgeon" An oxymoron?
No! I see all the beauty of God's creation and I'm joyful.  At the same time, I see all the suffering and corruption going on in the world, and feel called to help expose and end it so that we may have true peace and compassion.

 


Killing Fish – 24 Apr 2006
By Mary T. Hoffman

Blog - Joyful Curmudgeon - Blog

Killing Fish – 24 Apr 2006

The TV ad promoting the killing of fish for fun appears to be aimed at recruiting children. That’s right – fishing. I wrote the “killing” of fish because that’s what it is: destroying life.

The people who take pleasure in killing are anxious to keep alive in future generations their lust for destroying other creatures. They seem intent on passing on their hardness of heart to their children and grandchildren.

I think the word “fishing” is a euphemism, just like “sport hunting” and “sportsman.” I remember reading (several years ago) an article in The Vision (a United Methodist newspaper) in which the writer, a fish-killing enthusiast, wrote that “fishing” ought to be declared a sacrament! Even if he were joking, it shows how far from having true Christian compassion many of those claiming to be followers of Jesus really are. Perhaps some day not too far in the future, the killing of any creature will be considered an abomination!

In John 14:12, Jesus says,

12. “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go to the Father.”

~ New American Standard Bible

Jesus lived 2,000 years ago when slavery and cruelty (public crucifixions, for one example) were commonplace; isn’t it time that we humans move forward and become more enlightened? What greater work can we do than to extend our compassion to all living creatures?

Note: I think I should mention that the names of the New York state towns of Fishkill and Catskill do not refer to the killing of any creatures. The way I understand it, “kill” means “creek” or “stream” in the Dutch language. This area of New York State was settled by the Dutch.  

Go on to: My Heart Leaps Up When I Behold – 25 Apr 2006
Return to: Christ Is Risen! Truly, He Is Risen! – 23 Apr 2006
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