Aerial killing of wolves in Alaska/Alaskan comment - Page 5

Sure it's easy Blitzen, just ask uglydog! Their at the top of the food chain.

Here in Ohio, there has been much made about the "extermination" of the deer population, similar to the wolf thing mentioned above.  The government has sent in sharpshooters to certain locations to thin the herds.  Many people are upset over it.  Many people think that it is necessary to thin the herds so that many deer do not starve to death, and of course, attack the farmers fields and cause car accidents.  Good arguments can be made on both sides of the subject.  Same with the wolves.  Good arguments on both sides.

A couple of points that I personally think about these situations.

1.  The Christian Bible does state that man shall have dominion over the animals, but it also states that man should not mistreat the beasts of burden (we could argue what that term means), (as a side note, how many of you know that unicorns are mentioned in the Bible?  At least twice that I am aware of, but I digress).

2.  The Christian Bible many, many times states that a "dog" is the lowest form of life on earth, and when God is dissapointed in man, he refers to "us" as behaving like dogs, and being as low as a dog.

3.  I believe that the earth's living creatures thin each other out more or less, appropriately.  That includes us thinning animals out.  I have read where a thousand different spieces of life become extinct every year, admittedly, most of those are insect life though.  Sometimes things become extinct and it is a good thing.  Imagine Pterodactals (spelled wrong I am sure, but you know those giant birds that could snatch us up and eat us), T-rex's, certain bacteria and many other animals.  New life forms develop and some life forms become extinct.  One day we will be extinct for sure, and things will start over, probably starting from the cock roach (can't kill them suckers).

I love the wild canines and the wild cats just as much as most, and I find it distastfull that we kill them for sport (people around here shoot coyotes as soon as they see them, when out hunting deer, and it is legal year round), but I also find it tough to take that coyotes sometimes kill pet dogs and cats, not to mention some farm animals.  I also find it sad that some starve to death when there is not enough prey to sustain them.  The balance of nature is upset by the introduction of the "human element".  It worked well when we were not advanced to the point of firearms, but went down hill from there.

Even though the powers that be, can and do sometimes make mistakes, I believe that we have to accept the decisions of the so called experts, and go with them as to whether or not certain animals need to be "thinned" out.  It is sad, but so is starving animals.

Relieved I didn't view this film.  Hate seeing any animal killed--regardless of why.......and, if I have to watch a movie, my preference would be *Wolfen* from the 80's. Just love that one.

What's more.....If my home turf was In Alaska or Montana, I'd probably love the wolf even more.....being absolutely delighted they might scare off any encroaching settlers.  Come to NY sometime, and see what civilization can become-------ugly, ugly pavement. Wouldn't worry too much about my pets there either....since they live inside with me. BTW----Don't think because wolves aren't in abundance here that our animals are safely snug in NY backyards.  A few years ago in what could be considered a fairly upscale area, my neighbor (in full view of his 87 yr old, invalid father---who was outside enjoying a little sun in his wheelchair) had his old, much-loved Golden Ret stolen.  A van pulled up.  Man jumped out. He ran past the cripple (term used to show how low this crime was), opened the gate..took dog, and drove off. (Probable reason---bait needed to train pits.)  Yes.....we have our wolves or predators here......but......you don't have all the settlers.  Thank your lucky stars.

And..there's an awful lot of reference to the Bible and it's relevance to accepting the fate of dead wolves being mentioned. I realize that by alluding to the fact I'm a New Yorker, I'll probably be considered by many of the  the Bible-Belt populace  a typical, atheistic liberal..........but......really now..........the Bible is a book.  A book....written by man.  IMO, enough said.  Faith is entirely personal.....and it should be.  We've all been brought up in a religion.....or, not.  Later, we learned other beliefs from outside exposure.  Then we formed our individual opinions and chose.  Our faith is the belief in that choice.  To read any book and believe it is the actual word of God without questioning is an insult to the intelligence that was afforded you.  If I was more manipulative, I'd rephrase ...an insult to the blessed intelligence granted you by God's grace.

Why don't we just leave the Bible out of this discussion. Or, not.........It's just that my image of God wouldn't be of a Supreme Being who would be particularly proud when viewing those slaughtered wolves.

LMH...What year is it?  

Thats right, 2007.  We mark time with the Death of Christ,  the Son of God, the Messiah.  All 3 great Monotheistic religions acknowledge him, some more than others.   The Koran has the most references to Jesus as any prophet. The Vile, filthy Jewish Talmud blasphemes Christ, but acknoweldge Christ nonetheless. You can choose whether or not to believe, to believe in Jesus, the Bible, in Faith. To those that decide this needs questioning to me, in an insult. Time itself, is marked with his death and his words are as relevant today as ever, God is still under constant attack, whether School or square.

The Bible-the New Testament, is Christ's Words, as told to the Apostles, who later fled for their lives after the death of Christ. The scrolls as told to the various scribes were unearthed all througout the Middle East.  When uncoverered, there was tremendous overlap & Consistnecy. It was then transposed, through God's Grace, by the Catholic Church and is the modern day bible as we know today.

My point in this, is that our animals and pets are dear to us. BUT, we have dominion over them and are to treat them ethically, but an animal is still an animal, it lacks a soul.  It is Not a Human, it has No free will, I think many here forget that. But certainly in the words of Ghandi, a society is to be judged by how it treats its animals. I believe this. I also carry it further.

A Balance in nature is only obtained when there is killing, man must sometimes partake in that. It isnt pretty but it is the cycle of life.

LMH, I like your style!

I don't agree that dogs do not have souls; my experiences have proven to me that they do.

Also, agree with LMH, let's leave religion out of dog discussions please. 

UD---You seem hell bent (no pun intended) on constantly bringing religion into the equation.......I could ask why, but this is a GSD site, and someone will inevitably start complaining.  I do like reading your posts--they make people think......and around here exercising one's brain does seem a novelty.   I must make one observation, though.  Unless you've been personally blessed and have actually spoken to God (The Father, Son or Holy Ghost), nothing's certain.......no matter what.....and, that's the truth.  You consider my questioning as an attack on God.  You probably won't believe me---but that fact makes me sad.  You're intelligent.......but your openmindedness has become tainted. I only elevate God when I say He wants us to question.  I have faith in his character and integrity, and I believe He wants people who use the intellect given them to make a willing choice to believe.  Aren't you actually belittling Him when you suggest that it's an insult to question? Wouldn't the real Supreme Being want more than sheep as followers?

I "third" that motion.  Leave religion on the boards that discuss religeon.  I'm so sick of people expecting others to kowtow to their religeous beliefs.

LMH...Im not bringing religion into the equation to fish for lost souls..I only mention it as it relates to the balance of nature & cycle of life. We love our pets, they are indeed part of our family.  We love nature also, we love wild animals.

Animals arent humans. They do Not have a soul. They dont have Free will,  We tamed them to work for and suit us. A dog is Not a child.   Dogs have no craving for a higher happiness, no spirtual nature, no faculties & capabilities, as the soul is the life of the body.  Animals have No sense of their end, they are led by instinct, not by reason. They are dependent on matters not of the  spirit.   The soul is to guide the body..and when life & the soul are departed, the body returns to the dust.  The soul of man is a spiritual substance., is endowed with free will & reason.   We have Dominion Over the animals, this is what the Bible says. Thats my point, take it or leave it.

Questioning is fine LMH,....  question, read, study-you will come back,  full circle.  To how we mark time-each passing year, his coming, his death, his message.  We are in fact Gods Sheep or as Christ Said..Watch over my flock to his Apostle. There is as much or more relevance in his words today as in yesteryear. The developments in the  Mid East, prohecy, Nostradamus and other events are unfolding before our very eyes.  Whether you wish to practice faith or other biblical teachings is your choice. I only mention to give you my view point.  And I love dogs, wolves, nature as much as any, I assure you. I hunt, I fish, I hike, I train, I enjoy the outdoors & Gods creations. I also recognize the difference between a human life and that of an animal.

It's so easy to be drawn into a discussion with you, LOL,......but, not here.  Uh.....alright.....I can't resist one itsy, bitsy, teeny, weeny question.  What's up with the literal interpretation of "flock"? Never mind. Don't answer that. (LOL)

All well and good, UD. I can keep this light as long as a literal interpretation of the Bible isn't presented as an argument that could possibly be used as an *Open Season* free pass.