And Now For Something Completely Different

I don't usually write about politics or law on this blog, but I feel like I need to vent. I'd like to start this with a disclaimer... I'm no expert on law, and I'm aware of a certain amount of ignorance on my part. With that said, I'd like to vent some frustration.

Recently in the news, there has been a lot of controversy surrounding an animal cruelty case. I won't tell the whole story, but some kids beat and tortured some animals. They have been fined for doing this, but some people feel this isn't enough. Some think that these boys should pay a bigger fine or be thrown in jail.

The other day there was a petition being passed around at the university and it was in regards to this case. The petition included the brutal details of the crime, and called for a more harsh punishment to be given to these kids. The petition went on to call for the dropping of a certain bill S-213 and adopting a bill C-50.

Well, my frustration is more about the person circulating the petition, than the petition itself (although, I don't agree with it). I told her that I like the idea of giving the kids a more harsh punishment, but I would like to know what the bills are about. She couldn't give me an answer. I did't mean to embarrass her or make her feel stupid, but I assumed that she would know these things, since she was having people sign this petition. By the time she got to me with the petition she already had about two pages of signatures. I just wonder how many people signed it without even knowing what it was about?

I get the feeling from a lot of university students, that they want to be a part of a cause (often controversial) that brings change, whether they know what they're doing or not. Now, if this girl would have answered me in regards to those bills, then I probably wouldn't have thought twice about the incident (not that I would've signed the petition, I just wouldn't have been frustrated by this encounter). This means that the people who signed it before it got to me, either knew the content of the bills already (and agreed, so signed) or were to embarrassed to ask (so they just signed it) or they just didn't care what the bills were (and signed). If someone would've asked her the question before she got to me, she would have been prepared to answer me, I would hope... But, she wasn't.

So, that explains my frustration... Now, I'll stand on my soap box for minute and tell you why I don't agree with the petition. I should say first, that my heart does break for these animals and what was done to them is very disturbing (and deserving of strict punishment). I would like to see these kids pay a bigger price, but I don't think changing these bills is a good answer. Bill S-213 outlines the law regarding animal cruelty. Bill C-50 is best explained by this excerpt (taken from the bill itself)...

"The changes to the Criminal Code will mean that animal cruelty offences are no longer classified as property crimes. Animals will be treated as creatures that deserve protection in their own right because of their capacity to feel pain and suffer."

I think it's very dangerous to move animals out of property crimes and into their own section of the criminal code. I just don't like the idea that someone could go to jail for killing an animal. I believe we should be good stewards of the things we have and this means treating animals in a responisible manner. I think a human life is much more precious than an animal's life (keep in mind, I'm a dog lover and my dogs have always been a part of the family). I can imagine a situation where a dog (or another type of animal) attacks someone's child... The parent kills the animal to protect the child and next thing the parent is in court defending himself/herself against a murder charge (or paying a huge fine).

Understand that my opinion in this matter is based on my belief that God has given humans dominion over his creation. If you don't believe this, then you will obviously disagree with me. If there is no God, and we have not been given dominion over his creation, then there is no reason why a dog should have less rights than I have. If you have an opinion about this, I'd like to hear it (If you think I've missed something here or my reasoning doesn't make sense, I'd like to hear your perspective on this).

I leave you with an excerpt from Genesis 1...

Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them; and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth." (NAS)

The Goal is to Put the Disc in the Basket

This blog is a tribute to my friend Mike Murrow and the game of disc golf...

Somewhere in a comment, Mike, you wrote that I owe you because you saved my life with disc golf or something to that effect... I know that it was a joke and it has not saved my life literally, however, I think this game has helped preserve my sanity... and for that, I thank you.

I remember when I first met Mike, I was helping him unload his belongings into the infamous dorm 4 of CBC. Among his belongings were many books (such as Calvin's Institutes of Christian Religion), photography equipment, a long-board, and a bag full of discs. When I saw the bag of discs, I let out a bit of a chuckle and said "what are these?" Followed with something like, "cute, a little carrying bag for your discs" (In retrospect, I wish I could take back these hurtful words... hehehe). Mike replied with, "you laugh now, but it won't be long until you're carrying around a bag of discs yourself." I laughed at him, "no, not me!" Well, he was right!

I've fallen in love with this game. Not because I want to win, but because it represents a temporary escape from responsibility and pressure. For me, this game has been about building friendships and exploring life questions without having to have a point or purpose. I don't know why, but people seem more 'real' on the disc golf course. Social distinctions seem to be ignored or forgotten on the course (where else would you find a 'hippie' telling a banker, "you could get more distance out of your throw if you..."?). It's an interesting community and I find myself drawn to it.

To those who take this game seriously, there are always more things to learn and practice; yet to those who've never held a disc, it's a user friendly game. The game can be played by almost anyone and it means different things to different people, but the goal is always to get the disc in the basket.

Now, the parallels that can be drawn between this game and the Christian faith are endless (and probably quite obvious), but I will make the connections explicit.

In the faith, like disc golf, people see it as foolish at first, but once they're exposed to it and become familiar with it, it starts to make sense and the appeal becomes undeniable. Once you discover its appeal, you feel compelled to share it with others. You want people to understand it's not easy, but worth it. The Christian faith is different for people depending on experience, but we all 'aim for the same target' (excuse the pun). The faith should allow us to see past social distinctions and allow us to be more 'real' (though this is not always the case, it is the intention).

Mike has had a profound impact on my life, and (though we joke about it) this silly* game has played its part. Thanks Mike, for introducing me to this game, and for taking the time to show me the "ins and outs" of this game (as well as openly discussing the "ins and outs" of our faith).

I'll leave you with something "Steady" Ed told Mike (Mike, please correct me if I'm wrong)...

"The most important thing is to enjoy the game. So, par is whatever you happen to score that day."

*by 'silly', I'm simply highlighting it's triviality in the big picture... but, don't think I don't take the game seriously... hehehe.