Throughout the ages, we have accepted killing, violence, and violent behavior as just being a part of life - it's time we change!
By: Frank L. Hoffman
The news on 6 January 2001, carried the story of how Charles, Prince of Wales, broke a small bone in his shoulder when he fell off his horse while fox hunting. These stories all talked about his injury and the activity in which he was engaged, but they did not speak out against the violence and cruelty associated with fox hunting. This is even more surprising since there has been recent press coverage concerning the proposed banning of this sport and the use of dogs in hunting.
While I am sorry that Charles got hurt, for I wish ill for no being, his injury came as a direct result of his desire to harm another living being whom God created just as He created us. We are all living souls.
While this was going on, an animal rights group stole the hounds of a hunt club run by students at Wye College. Stealing is wrong, but I can well understand their motives. In this case, it is hard to dismiss the understanding that the violence and killing of fox hunting led others to break another of God's commandments. But this didn't stop the hunt. The students went and borrowed some hounds to contuinue their thirst for blood. A second wrong rarely succeeds in correcting the first wrong. The only way it can truly be corrected is to change the hearts and desires of the people. Charles' leadership and example is directly behind the continuation of the violence associated with this so-called sport. As long as he participates in it, others will want to do the same.
I can only hope and pray that while Charles is nursing his injury, he will come to realize that violence begets more violence, and realize that he is in a position to influence many others for both good and evil. If he wanted to, Charles could really be a true leader, as God intended our leaders to be, and put an end to this violence and suffering.
It's time we stop shooting ourselves in the foot. It's time we stop glamorizing and sanitizing violence in our society.
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