If killing sentient beings is what keeps us human, then heaven help us (“Can hunting keep us human?” HCN, 10/15/18). Taking the life of another being is a regrettable act that is sometimes unavoidable in an imperfect world. However, there is something very dreadful about sanitizing the killing of our animal brethren with a convoluted and romantic mythology that transforms death into gift. What keeps us human is exercising our ability to choose not to kill. We are most human when we act as servants and guardians of all of creation. I would argue that it is a compassion that says “yes” to creation that keeps us human, not killing. A nonviolent, vegetarian choice, when possible, is the real gift that keeps us human.
Bob Muth
Kalispell, Montana
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Compassion keeps us human.
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