Christianity
In the Bible, the closest reference to hunting for sport sport hunting is Proverbs 12:27 where it says "The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, But diligence is man's precious possession". The sport of hunting was not commonly practiced in Biblical times. This is because, at the time, the majority of peoples food was brought in by hunting, fishing, farming or trading. Furs were often used to make clothing or traded at markets in order to get other supplies making animal furs a popular currency is many parts of Europe and America. Sport hunting was not common because it was hard to make a living out of something you did everyday in order to feed your family and to pay for things. The Bible does not indicate whether it is okay or not okay to hunt animals for sport, nor does it indicate if it is a sin or an ungodly practice. In Genesis it states that animals were created for the benefit of man. Adam was given the pleasure of naming them, and they were there for his enjoyment, help, and later as a source of food.
There is nothing biblically wrong with hunting for sport; however it is an issue that each person must decide for themself. Some people who support fox hunting are Christians, and others are not. At the same time, some people who fight to ban fox hunting are Christians. It is up to the person to work out their views on fox hunting, because in Christianity there are no set rules which relate to hunting, meaning that the person in question is free to work out what his or her beliefs are.
Every reference to hunting which I used to help me write this can be found here - http://www.openbible.info/topics/hunting
There is nothing biblically wrong with hunting for sport; however it is an issue that each person must decide for themself. Some people who support fox hunting are Christians, and others are not. At the same time, some people who fight to ban fox hunting are Christians. It is up to the person to work out their views on fox hunting, because in Christianity there are no set rules which relate to hunting, meaning that the person in question is free to work out what his or her beliefs are.
Every reference to hunting which I used to help me write this can be found here - http://www.openbible.info/topics/hunting
Islam
Islamic views and teachings relating to hunting are much stricter than those associated with Christianity. The Qur'an says that all Muslims should treat animals with care and respect because all living creatures are said to praise god, even if it is not in a language which humans understand. In one of the Qur'an's six chapters which talks about animals, it states that Muslims may only eat certain Halal meats - meats which are slaughtered in a certain way. It also says that it is forbidden to beat animals unnecessarily, to brand or mark them on the face or to allow them to fight with humans or other animals for entertainment. Muhammad is reported to have said, "There is no man who kills, even a sparrow or anything smaller, without deserving it, but God will question him about it on judgement day. Whoever is kind to the creatures of God is kind to himself".
Finally, it says that all blood sports are forbidden which relates directly to fox hunting. Blood sports which this rule apply's to are as follows:
Hare coursing, Fox hunting, Badger hunting, Bullfighting, Lamping and hunting with dogs.
Due to this, many Muslims are strongly against fox hunting because it states so in their holy book. Many do believe that killing animals is justified in some cases if they are causing harm to people or destroying their livelihoods.
This forum gives several examples of this and the post at the bottom has a lot of useful information concerning Islamic teachings and rules towards hunting: http://www.aussiemuslims.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-31619.html
Finally, it says that all blood sports are forbidden which relates directly to fox hunting. Blood sports which this rule apply's to are as follows:
Hare coursing, Fox hunting, Badger hunting, Bullfighting, Lamping and hunting with dogs.
Due to this, many Muslims are strongly against fox hunting because it states so in their holy book. Many do believe that killing animals is justified in some cases if they are causing harm to people or destroying their livelihoods.
This forum gives several examples of this and the post at the bottom has a lot of useful information concerning Islamic teachings and rules towards hunting: http://www.aussiemuslims.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-31619.html
Judaism
Judaism teaches that all animals are part of God's creation and should be treated with respect. In Proverbs 12:10, it says, "The righteous person regards the life of his beast". Jews must avoid 'tzar baalei chayim' - causing pain to any living creature because God in their teachings, God promises to look after animals just as well as he would with humans. The Talmud - a Jewish text, much like the Torah - specifically says that Jews are not to cause animals any pain, and there are also several stories which are based around being kind to animals. It also says that it is only acceptable to kill animals to fulfill an essential human need - such as someone killing a rabbit to eat if they were starving and lost in the woods. This is because in the Bible, God says that humans beings have the right to control all non-human animals.
"Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth. The fear and dread of you will fall on all the beasts of the earth, and on all the birds in the sky, on every creature that moves along the ground, and on all the fish in the sea; they are given into your hands. Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything."
Genesis 9:1-3
However, the Bible it also says that despite the fact that God created animals to serve humans, they must still be treated fairly and with respect.
"His tender mercies are over all his creatures"
Psalm 145:9
However, hunting for sport is banned in Judaism and has been criticized by a number of important Rabbis along with making animals fight each other for the entertainment of people. The Bible says that hunting for sport is shameful as shown in Leviticus 17:3.
For this reason, Jews believe that fox hunting is a sin because it goes against what the Bible says.
For this reason, Jews believe that fox hunting is a sin because it goes against what the Bible says.