Bull fighting

Bullfighting is the most disgusting and indefensible type of animal abuse. Countries like Spain and Mexico torture and abuse these defenseless animals in order to carry on a sickening tradition of bull fighting, in which they stick sharp objects into the bull to make him bleed and suffer before he ever enters the arena, and then torture him some more by shoving swords between his shoulder blades and forcing him to move around in order to cut up his insides until he dies.

During the "running of the bulls" in Pamploma, Spain, there have even been incidents where the poor tortured and bleeding animals have been set on fire as they're running down the street being chased by crazed throngs of "brave people." One has to ask himself what kind of human beings could possibly perpetrate such acts against innocent animals who are guilty of nothing more than grazing peacefully in a barnyard or a field somewhere until they're suddenly and violently thrust into the hands of bloodthirsty sadists. Shame on ALL who participate in this "sport" - including the spectators who are willing to pay to see this kind of sick violence!

Judgment Day is coming!

It is clear to anyone who believes in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, that these senseless and sadistic acts are a result of demonic possession, because surely no decent human being would lower him or herself to participate in them. These acts are just another sign of the "end times" which we are in now, and unfortunately, things are only going to get worse as the Books of Daniel and Revelation continue to unfold before our very eyes....

Since bull fighting is legal in Mexico and Spain - countries that apparently condone torture of and violence against innocent animals, and who are oblivious to the world's public outcry against this barbarism - I suggest all believers begin to call on Yahweh who is the only One who can put a stop to this nonsense. I personally pray that Yahweh Himself would begin to intervene on behalf of the poor bulls. I pray He would cause something to happen to each matador and toreador that would keep those "brave men" from ever entering another bullfight arena. I pray that He would pour His Spirit upon all future bull fighters and cause them to realize that what they are doing is against HIS will.

(As a believer I have to say these things, but honestly, my flesh would love to see these men - those troglodytes who take sadistic glee in torturing animals to death - gored and set on fire and then stomped unconscious by the bulls and spat upon by the crowds! Perhaps then they would begin to understand what those poor animals are going through.....)

Regardless, as to our feelings about this hideous form of "entertainment" the question remains: What does GOD think of animal abuse? While most of the world couldn't care less what God thinks, the bottom line is He IS in charge and people WILL answer for their sins on Judgment Day! Please read the following, borrowed from rainbowsbridge.com:

What does the Bible say about animal abuse?

Does God hear the cries of those who do not communicate in human language? Does His heart respond to the fearful mewing of a motherless kitten or the exhaustion of a donkey staggering under a load far too heavy for it? Does He care about the animals that are bred in cramped quarters and exploited for profit? Does He care about animals who are made to fight to the death, as men watch and gamble on which one will win? Does God approve of men who race dogs until they drop dead of exhaustion? What about spearing a bull to death after it performs before a blood thirsty crowd? Did He create animals to be used in such a way?

We know from scripture that God was so interested in the welfare of the animal kingdom that He created, that He even commanded Noah, in the time of judgment on the earth, to make the ark big enough to hold two of every kind of animal that existed.

The Bible actually has much to say in regard to animal abuse. In the beginning, God created the earth and all the creatures on it to be under the authority of humanity. He entrusted these beautiful elements of His creation to our care (Genesis 1:26). Our sinful nature causes us to abuse the animal kingdom, sometimes without even realizing it. Yet, God expects the Christian, above all others, to be sensitive to all of His creation, knowing that exploiting or abusing it shows a disrespect for God Himself. Abuse of anything that God made is not the character of God, but rather of the Evil One.

Domestic Animals: "A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel" Proverbs 12:10). Throughout the Bible, God shows how He expects us to care for our animals in practical ways. In the Law of the Israelites, for example, one of the purposes of the Sabbath year of rest for the land, was to let the land lie fallow--and so that the poor as well as livestock and wild animals could eat from it (Exodus 23:11 and Leviticus 25:7). The Sabbath day itself was not only for humans to rest. God also commanded us to give our animals rest on the same day. (Exodus 20:10). He also commanded the Israelites to help both their friends and enemies when their ox or donkey had fallen over, or was carrying a burden too heavy for it to bear (Exodus 23:5 and Deuteronomy 22:4). In addition, livestock were also allowed to eat as they worked (Deuteronomy 25:4). Finally, God says to us in Proverbs 27:23: "Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds."

Part of the reason that God anointed young David to be king over Israel, was that he was a good shepherd and could be trusted with the sheep under his care, even risking his life for them when they were attacked by lions or bears (1 Samuel 17:34). God knew that if David had this sort of heart for his sheep, he would be a faithful shepherd over an even greater treasure--the people of Israel.

Wild Animals--His eye is on the sparrow: In addition to domesticated animals, God also watches over wild animals and commands us to do the same. In Deuteronomy 22:6-7, God promises a long life to those who will watch over wild birds. If we rape the land or the creatures in it, what will sustain us in the future? He allows for the taking of eggs, but commands that we release the mother bird to continue living in the wild and reproducing as He intended. In Job 38:41, God says that He hears the cries of newborn ravens crying to Him for food. Jesus went on to say that God supplies food for the wild birds and that not one of them falls to the ground without Him knowing it.

Matthew 6:26: "Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?"

These small, but kind and practical commands written throughout the Bible give us good insight into how God expects us to treat animals. Surely we will have to answer to Him for any abuse that we have committed against them. God created animals for us to love and to learn from. In them, we see our own dependence upon God illustrated in their dependence upon us. We can also see elements of our foolishness manifested in them (who has not seen a crowing rooster and laughed at the comic caricature of ourselves crowing to all the world in our foolish pride at times?) In addition, God also tells us to learn from their wisdom:

"Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest" (Proverbs 6:6-8).

(Job 12:7-10 KJV) "But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee: Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee. Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this? In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind."

Although worship of animals as deities is strictly forbidden in Scripture, we are to respect them as a part of God's creation. Some believe that because only humans were created in God's image, they alone are worthy of respect and care. Yet, the Bible tells us that even the angels were not created in God's image, yet we are to respect them! We are to respect all of God's created order, not to worship facets of it, but to see in it the same call that we ourselves have, which is to glorify God. All of God's creation was made with the ability and the power to glorify Him, each in different ways. In this, animals, as well as humans, share a common element with the rest of creation. Perhaps the words from these Psalms say it best of all (emphasis added):

Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise him from the heights above. Praise him all his angels, praise him, all his heavenly hosts. Praise him, sun and moon, praise him all you shining stars. Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies. Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created. He set them in place forever and ever; he gave a decree that will never pass away. Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, lightening and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding, you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds kings of the earth and all nations, you princes and all rulers on earth young men and maidens, old men and children. Let them praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted; His splendor is above the earth and the heavens (Psalm 148: 1-13).

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord (Psalm 150:6).

Some people don't abuse animals, but go to the opposite extreme and place animals above human life. This was not God's intention either, but rather that He wanted to bless mankind with a wonderful world of creatures that we could enjoy and with that enjoyment, He also holds us responsible, as to how we treat and care for them. May we all take that responsibility seriously, as we shall be judged for the way we treat animals and all of God's creation.

As you can see, Yahweh expects us to treat animals with respect and dignity. The monsters who set bulls on fire and thrust swords into their hearts just for "fun" will most certainly answer to God on Judgment Day! If you're interested in helping to stop the hideous practice of bullfighting, please check out the Shark website.

The Refiner's Fire