Why do churches so strongly support hunters when the ten commandments say thou shalt not kill?

Question

Hunting is killing for fun, like a hobby, so why do churches give hunters special weeknight services during hunting season? They're killing for pleasure!

Answer 1

Oh No, our first argument as Friends!
I was raised into a hunting family, we hunted for food, not pleasure, we didn't trophy hunt, but if it was a trophy animal it was a plus. I haven't hunted in about three years, because i am not in need of the food they provide, but if the need arises I'll have to do it again. The pleasure I receive is not from the hunt, but rather being out in nature. I actually feel bad about the kill. Now, I also believe in culling the herds, it gets the sick ones out, eradicating Wasting Disease (it's like Mad Cow Disease) is a high priority for me.
I would much rather have 5,000 killed by hunting than 15,000 die of starvation when there is way to many for their particular environment and not enough food to go around...starving to death has gotta suck! Now about that church thing..I dunno if they do that or not! The people who kill for food far outweigh those who trophy hunt.

Answer 2

Hunting is far more than killing for pleasure. In some areas it is necessary for controlling animal populations and it is a part of the culture as well. Not too long ago meat from hunting was a prime source of food for the year. In some households it still is. Most religions allow for killing of animals. this year i have hunted for close to a month now and not killed anything - it is the tracking, stalking and getting close to the animal that is the prime part. I had a chance to get something last week but passed as it would not have been a clean shot. There are poor sportsmen in hunting like in all areas but they are in the great minority. As far as churches having evening services, well even god cant stand in the way of an avid hunter.

Answer 3

First, it is not a sin to hunt, killing an animal is not murder.
Second, the vast majority of hunters do not hunt as a hobby like you say, we hunt for food, whatever we kill we have made into steaks, sausage, etc.
I have never seen a Church that "holds special weeknight services"during hunting season. Most Churches have weeknight services all year around.

Answer 4

Christianity doesn't view the killing of animals as murder, and never has. Humans are placed far above other animals, and are thought to not have souls and so on... I have not heard of churches advocating hunting or denouncing it, either way, though... not sure what you mean by saying there. Perhaps it's a local thing.

I don't have a problem with hunting as long as the measures are humane, legal, and the animals that are hunted are for personal food. This means that you should not kill more than you will eat.

Answer 5

Never heard of that. Then again I don't live in an area where hunting is prominent.

An equal question would be why do churches support and finance "holy wars" aka the Crusades, the Inquisitions, the various Witchhunts, the Holocaust, etc etc? All of those entailed mass killings. It's hypocrisy. Power had to do with those as well.

Answer 6

The TEN COMMANDMENTS were written for mankind as a guide for how to live right and enter into the kingdom of Heaven. You are taking it out of context. If mankind did not kill anything this earth would be over run with all kinds of life and nothing would survive because of the over population. Personally I don't want termites and roaches crawling all over my house and children. If your complaint is specifically about YOUR Church's actions regarding hunting then you can bring it up at the meeting and express your opinion on the matter.

Answer 7

I don't know of any churches that do that. However in the book of Genesis God killed a deer in order to fashion clothing for Adam and Eve. (I guess that sort of makes God the first hunter.) Thou shalt not kill refers to other humans, any other rendering of the statement is twisting scripture. Throughout the Bible animals are killed for food and worship. I know that right now your heart is saying how sick it is to kill for worship, however keep in mind, the people of the time were already having to kill their livestock for food. To give the BEST of your livestock to the priests was a sign of thanksgiving to God.
I am not a hunter myself. However I eat meat, therefore having someone else kill the meat for me doesn't make me any better than killing it myself. Sort of like hiring a hitman I guess. Also, I know a lot of people who do hunt for food. They want fresh meat that people haven't shot up with growth hormones, more organic. My sons girlfriend is a vegetarian and won't eat any meat of anykind. So at least she doesn't hire a hitman to kill her dinner for her. I guess I am more of a "hunter" than she is.
The point is, don't blame the fallible people inside the buildings of a church for things you perceive as wrong. Go to the source. If you have questions about God and the Bible, go to God and the Bible. If there were a rumor being spread around about you, wouldn't you rather they came to you for the answers than going to others. God is the same way. If you have questions go to the source. Find out what scripture has to say about it. And be open minded. You would want the same treatment if it were your reputation at stake.
Thanks for listening.
Ruth

Answer 8

Never heard of a Church specifically "supporting" hunters. Nothing really to do with the work of a church. But anyway: the Bible says no Murder in the Hebrew---'kill' is a poor translation used in some English versions

Answer 9

No. Most hunters hunt for meat. You would not be here were it not for your hunting ancestors.

Thou shalt not kill = Thou shalt not commit murder.

The very same Bible and book of the Bible you've quoted calls for animal sacrifices. Yikes! You didn't think it through very well, did you?

Answer 10

You better go back and read the Bible again, in Biblical days a lamb was sacrificed! Hunting is to get meat to feed the hungry family! Although some do it only as a sport!