LettersLetter from Damon about Our Web Site and Hunting - 16 May 2007
Letters From All-Creatures.org and The Mary T. and Frank L. Hoffman Family Foundation

Letter from Damon about Our Web Site and Hunting - 16 May 2007

Well, I am a Christian and a hunter. In fact, I hope to be a missionary one day and attend a Christian college. There is nothing wrong with hunting unless you do not use the animal for food. My father has hunted for a long time and I have since I was able to fire a gun. I know that there is nothing wrong with hunting because after I shoot the animal, I do not feel guilty. When people do anything bad, they feel guilty. Another reason that hunting is not bad is because any part of the deer we do not use, we give the to the local homeless shelter and they enjoy scrumptious deer meat! That is a ministry.

Also, I feel close to God when hunting. I love to sit out in His creation and soak in His glory. Genesis 1:28 says, "God gave them his blessing and said: Have a lot of children! Fill the earth with people and bring it under your control. Rule over the fish in the ocean, the birds in the sky, and every animal on the earth."

I know many people who hunt, many who are strong Christians. I recall watching a hunting video made by Primos Hunting Calls and the hunters who are a part of the Primos team said: "I can't see how someone can't come out here and hunt, and then when they are finished don't look up and say, 'Thank you.'" The other man said, "The Good Lord created these creatures for us." I believe that it is not wrong to hunt; however, Proverbs 12:27 says that the man who hunts for game and just kills it, and does not take possession of it for eating is a slothful man. The diligent hunter takes his game for food (roasting) and considers it a precious possession, as he has food for his family's table. Killing just to kill is wrong. I do NOT agree with the poaching and killing of elephants and rhinos for tusks, as we see in Africa. I also think that is not right to kill a lot of the animals; there should be plenty left that would not alter breeding as God intended. I also would NEVER shoot a doe with babies, or any mother for that matter; I only shoot a male, for they do not care for young (in North American game animals, at least).

I hope this has changed your opinion about hunting.

In Christ, Damon

Reply from Frank and Mary Hoffman

Dear Damon:

Thank you very much for writing.

We found it interesting that you quoted Genesis 1:28, but failed to connect it to the rest of the paragraph Genesis 1:29-31, which in context shows how rule and dominion are to be applied in a compassionate vegan manner.

We would be interested in your comments.

Also, we have seen so much horror caused by hunters, that it has totally turned us off. Hunters always talk about clean shots, but from our experience they are the exception rather than the rule.

In the Love of the Lord,

Frank and Mary


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