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.
