THE GUGA HUNT: When will this world be free of “respectable cruelties”?

—P. Greanville

 
The Guga Hunt
By Ruth Eisenbud
There is a tradition in some parts of Scotland, the Guga Hunt, which celebrates the bludgeoning of harmless gannet chicks, as a means of building character in hunters…The biblical implications of such a tradition, whether it is rooted in religion or not are apparent due to the concept of dominion, which allows mankind to participate in violence towards animals as long as it is beneficial to humanity. In response to an article, “…That Old Time Religion: The Stoning of Gannet Chicks in Scotland” (see appendix A) Bob Linden, radio host of Go Vegan Radio, came to the conclusion that this festival was tolerable because in his words:
“At first I was really upset by the gannet chick hunt. But now that I saw this website, I learned that the birds don’t suffer any pain, and it builds character for the hunters…” Bob Linden
Consider, that when a human being is intentionally killed, no matter how painlessly it is still a punishable offense of murder. It is deeply troubling when someone who claims to work to end animal suffering excuses the murder of innocent gannet chicks, as a character builder for hunters, The measure of a person, and therefore his/her character, ought to include compassion rather than than how efficiently they can bludgeon a living being to death:

“Cruelty to animals is one of the distinguishing
vices of  low and base minds. Wherever it is found, it
is a certain mark of ignorance  and meanness; a mark
which all the external advantages of  wealth,
splendour, and nobility, cannot obliterate. It is
consistent  neither with learning nor true civility.”
–William Jones

When the bottom line for a religious tradition allows for the slaughter and exploitation of animals, as is the case for the judeo.christian tradition, character and courage are determined by the willingness to kill creatures who have harmed no one. A religious tradition that honors and sanctifies the murder of gentle, harmless creatures is not suitable for those  who devote their lives to eliminating cruelty to animals.
Parushan/Das Laxan
There is another tradition, Jainism, which instead of catering to baser human instincts of slaughter and exploitation, makes every effort to encourage compassion and avoid violence to animals. In this tradition animal abuse cannot be excused in the name of human advantage. It is always inappropriate to take the life of a fully sentient living being:
—Jain Acharanga Sutra
Jains have maintained a compassionate lifestyle for thousands of years, abstaining from meat, not wearing leather or fur. Now there is an effort underway in the Jain community to live even more freely from harm by abstaining from dairy products. Traditionally dairy consumption has had different implications in jainism than in judeo-christian nations. For example in the dominion-based cultures male calves are often killed since they will not produce milk. Veal is the cruel by-product when animal slaughter is religiously endorsed. Still, it has become apparent that dairy, even without the veal, has become a product which results in much suffering and death for cattle.
There is a Jain tradition, a period of atonement, lasting 8 or 10 days depending on the sect, which is a time to reflect on how to further minimize and atone for any harm caused to living beings. During this period of Parushan or Das Laxan it is consistent with the jain concept of ahimsa to call for abstinence from dairy in an effort to further decrease violence to animals. The following is an example of such an effort. Note there is a direct appeal for compassion:
—VeganJains
conclusion:
Ahimsa based holidays are in sharp contrast to Judeo-christian religious festivals when the slaughter of every animal imaginable rises dramatically to celebrate the glory of religious tradition steeped in the blood of harmless creatures.
—Ruth Eisenbud
appendix A
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 “…That Old Time Religion”
Stoning Gannet Chicks in Scotland
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/45263000/jpg/_45263570_maximus_466282.jpg   
Dear Angus Macneil,
It has come to my attention that you intend to hold a guga hunt which includes stoning to death 2000 gannet chicks. It would seem you take this brutal method of slaughter from its extensive use in biblical narratives, where it is often the preferred method of slaughter for any perceived transgression. You claim that it is your cultural right to bludgeon harmless creatures to death. I would question the roots of a culture that allows for such sadistic violence towards any living being. When a culture descends into such a level of pathology, it would seem that there is no boundary between culture and cruelty.

vices of  low and base minds. Wherever it is found, it
which all the external advantages of  wealth,
splendour, and nobility, cannot obliterate. It is
consistent  neither with learning nor true civility.
-William Jones

It is evident that despite the claim that it is your cultural prerogative to inflict such vicious harm on innocent creatures this is nothing more than an excuse for cruelty. For any culture that sanctions such violence is not worthy of consideration as civilized. The failure to differentiate between culture and cruelty is a direct result of both biblical doctrine, which grants man dominion over the animals and with it the right to violate them with impunity, as well as the frequent use of stoning as a means of punishment. It is particularly perverse that you have chosen to stone to death animals who have committed no wrong.

The depravity of your decision, as well as the the notion that man has the god-given right to torment harmless animals can be attributed directly to your adherence to the cruel concept of dominion, which considers animals as less than human:

It is this similarity between dominion and nazism, that has enabled unspeakable exploitation and violence to animals.
Isaac Bashevis Singer 


In the Jain religious tradition of India, cruelty is not blessed by religious institutions and authorities. Animals are granted the same right as humans to remain free from harm: ahimsa. The result of this more enlightened view is superior animal legislation and greater tolerance of animal-human interactions. Those involved in this shameless display of sadism of the uga hunt, would do well to consider the words of this enlightened religious view.
 
Ruth Eisenbud
APPENDIX 2

Western Isles MSP writes to SNH over guga hunt licence

– AUGUST 8, 2011POSTED IN: CULTURE, FEATURES, LEWIS NEWS, STORNOWAY NEWS

Western Isles  MSP, Alasdair Allan, has today written to Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) urging them to continue to allow the famous annual guga hunt from Ness in Lewis to continue.

SNH are to review the dispensation which they give to allow this traditional hunt for gannets on Sula Sgeir as part of a wider assessment of their licensing practises.

Alasdair Allan commented:

“The guga hunt on Sula Sgeir is the only remaining one of its kind in the Scotland and plays a significant role in the culture of the Ness area of Lewis. I believe that SNH’s initial assessment is right, which is that the hunt in its current form is sustainable. I have written to them urging them to stick to that position and to allow the Guga hunt to continue into the future.

“I respect the fact that there are many others who disagree with me but I am satisfied that the hunt presents no threat to the future of the species and it is currently licenced to include a condition that the birds are quickly and humanely dispatched.

“I am confident that SNH will accept the strength of these arguments and ensure this distinctive aspect of the life of the people of Ness will continue.”

 

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