HSUS Attempts Christian Public Relations Stunt
Since I started my agriculture advocacy work three years ago, I have made it a point to monitor the activities of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), an extremist animal rights powerhouse determined to eliminate animal agriculture and promote a vegan lifestyle for all Americans. Through my observations, I have noticed that most of the leaders and members within this organization have no real connection with God; in fact, many of them point out that they are atheists. To me, this makes sense. Because they equal the life of a human being to the life of an animal, it’s impossible to envision these folks as God-fearing citizens. In debates with HSUS and PETA advocates over the years, I have always been able to reference Biblical verses as proof that God created the animals for us to care for and for us to use as food. In their latest public relations stunt to manipulate money from consumers, it seems that HSUS is finally catching onto the game and are trying to create a Christian image for themselves.
In a recent press release, the Humane Society of the United States started the “All Creatures” nationwide music tour featuring The Myriad that kicked off Tuesday, Sept. 29 in Washington, D.C. The tour will proceed with more than 35 stops at clubs and Christian universities around the country. Christine Gutleben, director of The HSUS faith outreach program, will accompany the tour and speak to audiences about the work of The HSUS. According to Gutleben, the faith outreach program of The Humane Society of the United States seeks to engage people and institutions of faith with animal protection issue on the premise that religious values call upon us to act in a kind and merciful way towards all creatures.
In a recent article written by the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, HSUS has begun manipulating religion to advance a cause that is radically out of step with the majority of Americans and, certainly, America’s sportsmen. This tour is a further example of the clever tactics being employed by those that seek to do away with American outdoor traditions.
I couldn’t agree more. The HSUS is a ruthless organization that is molding their own image to appeal to an audience that has been overwhelmingly against their policies in the past. As these extremists advance their agendas and peddle more money away from honest citizens, I have come to realize that they really will stop at nothing to put farmers and ranchers out of business. As a God-fearing Christian and a cattle rancher, myself, I’m proud to say that I care for God’s creatures on a daily basis, and I understand the circle of life, that animals were created to nourish people. What do you think? How will the religious community regard this latest publicity stunt by the HSUS? What can we do to reinforce our own beliefs and get the American consumer to understand the hidden agendas of this dangerous organization?
BEEF Daily Quick Fact: Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything. -Genesis 9:3
October 14th, 2009 at 8:50 am
Very thought provoking article! Great work again Amanda!!!!
October 14th, 2009 at 9:05 am
The HSUS is no more than a terrorist group! They mold and manipulate themselves to fit into whatever situation they can to promote their agenda. As a Christian and a livestock producer, I am total disgusted that a group like this one gets the attention they get from our political leaders. I believe it further shows how out of tune our elected official have become with what our country was founded upon. Part of the HSUS’s agenda is to do the devil’s work by infiltrating the Christian realm with their false pretenses. A true Christian believer will not listen to their rants, but the person who is on the fence with their religious life may be swayed to listen. To me, the HSUS is as dangerous as the group recently discovered in New York that planned bombings. They were arrested for their attempts, but the HSUS has free range in this country. Maybe they are really MORE dangerous. It is up to us, the farmers and ranchers, to make sure that the American consumer and our politicians get the correct message. I think we have already begun that task!
October 14th, 2009 at 9:17 am
Amanda, I appreciate you adding the Christian perspective to agriculture. Humans are certainly part of the cycle of life. I certainly doubt that wolves and bears will stop eating meat. But as one of God’s creatures on earth, we are given the right to consume animals to nourish us. To paraphrase, “man cannot live on bread alone”.
I wonder what would happen if humans turned all the cattle, sheep, pigs and horses loose, and only consumed plant material. How do they (HSUS) propose to maintain the cycle/balance of life? What does HSUS plan on doing with all the domestic livestock?
October 14th, 2009 at 9:38 am
Amanda, I couldn’t agree more. I have used this same “argument” for animal agriculture. In my work with county government, I have encountered organizations for the preservation of animal rights. They are very radical and it is very interesting to read that they are now trying the angle of religion and so-called Christian ethics to further their cause. Thanks for the article and keep up the good work.
October 14th, 2009 at 9:43 am
Amanda,
I read your blog post everyday. Thank you for what you do and thank you for this post.
Have a beautiful Wednesday!
Wrenn Pacheco
October 14th, 2009 at 9:58 am
Nice Job Amanda. It is about time the silent servants of God finally realize the scriptures say that we should take a stand do it with force. There are to many areas where we as christians have fallen asleep and we have bought the lie that we should be meek and mild and never confront someone when they a spinning a story or web to deceive people. Jesus himself emptied the temple by turning over tables and yielding a whip. I do believe that every one of the individuals as people at HSUS deserve God’s compassion and grace but that does not mean they are not sincerely wrong. As a child of god and a cattle producer I should have the highest regard for His creation and no one should do a better job in caring for or handling them. Keep up the good work.
October 14th, 2009 at 10:06 am
The challenge in dealing with HSUS continues to be facing a giant that is well organized, well funded, and presents an imaginary image that urban and city folks have little trouble identifying with. The practical implications of their motives are never examined (with the exception of those folks directly affected by the effect of their victories). I am one of those who believes that we farmers and ranchers need to unite in the truth of our vocation, which certainly does, exemplify God’s plan for His creation, to feed His people. I applaud Amanda and Beef Daily for stepping up to the challenge(s) presented in dealing with this issue.
October 14th, 2009 at 10:26 am
LIFE IS LIFE. HUMANITY IS HUMANITY. PAIN IS PAIN. CRUELTY IS CRUELTY AND ANATHEMA TO GOD. HUMANENESS IS HUMANENESS AND SUPPORTED BY GOD EVEN IN HIS SCRIPTURES. IT IS NOT THAT THE LIFE OF AN ANIMAL IS THE SAME AS THE LIFE OF A HUMAN , IF YOU BELIEVE IN GOD; AND I DO BELEIVE IN GOD AND AM A PRACTICING CHRISTIAN (PRESBYTERIAN). IF YOU DON’T BELIEVE IN GOD, WELL, ANYTHING GOES, I GUESS, EVEN YOUR HYPOCRISY! HOWEVER, THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR BLATANT & INHUMANE CRUELTY TO ANY OF GOD’S CREATURES UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE. WHERE DOES GOD ENDORSE HANGING LIVE CATTLE UP AND BANGING ON THEM WITH SLEDGE HAMMERS OR BLEEDING THEM WHILE THEY ARE STILL ALIVE? WHERE DOES GOD ENDORSE PENNING HOGS UP SO THEY CAN’T MOVE A FOOT IN ANY DIRECTION FOR THEIR WHOLE LIFE; OR TO CAGE A LAYER OR A BROILER IN A PEN SO SMALL AS TO NOT ALLOW THEM TO TURN AROUND FOR THEIR WHOLE LIFE? WHERE DOES GOD ENDORSE STOMPING AND SLAMMING CHICKENS UP AGAINST THE WALL IN FITS OF RAGE? WHERE DOES GOD ENDORSE FORCE FEEDING GEESE WAY MORE THAN THEIR STOMACHS CAN HOLD DAY AFTER DAY SO THEY CAN BECOME A DELICACY FOR SOME SLEAZY FAT ASSED RICH HEATHEN? I COULD GO ON AND YOU KNOW IT. LOOK, I LOVE FRIED CHICKEN, A GOOD STEAK, A NICE PORK CHOP, ETC. I DESPISE ANIMAL CRUELTY. KILLING A FOOD ANIMAL DOES NOT NEED TO BE A WAY FOR SOME SOB TO GET HIS FRUSTRATIONS OUT OF HIS SYSTEM. IT CAN AND MUST BE DONE HUMANELY. IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK FROM ONE–EVERYMAN–WHOM GOD INSTRUCTS TO BE A GOOD STEWARD OVER HIS CREATURES AND HIS CREATION? IF IT IS TOO MUCH TO ASK FROM YOU, THEN YOU DON’T BELIEVE IN THE GOD YOU CHASTISE THE HUMANE SOCIETY FOR DARING TO MENTION. CALLING YOURSELF A CHRISTIAN AND ACTING LIKE A HEATHEN WON’T MAKE YOU MANY POINTS WITH THE LORD GOD! HE IS NOT IMPRESSED WITH HYPOCRISY!!! I REMEMBER WHEN PEOPLE LIKE YOU THOUGHT BLACKS WERE LESS THAN HUMAN AND COULD BE USED AND ABUSED & WANTONLY KILLED WITH GOD’S SUPPORT; YES, THE BIBLE WAS USED TO DEFEND SUCH CRAP. PEOPLE LIKE YOU WILL USE GOD TO JUSTIFY ANYTHING YOU WANT TO DO BUT, BUBBA, YOU WILL PAY A HIGH PRICE FOR USING GOD AGAINST HIS OWN PURPOSES. BE A GOOD STEWARD AND SHUT UP!!
October 14th, 2009 at 10:34 am
Harley, I debated whether I should reply to your unfair comment, and all I have to say is, “wow.” Why do you read what I have to say if you have already passed such harsh judgements on me? How can you categorize me as a racist or animal abuser, when I’m neither of the two? When did I say that I stand beside animal cruelty? I’m a God-fearing Christian, a fifth generation rancher, and a girl that loves a juicy ribeye and a glass of Merlot in the company of friends and families; however, I never have and never will stand up for those that treat animals with cruelty. And, this cruelty so rarely happens, you must be watching a lot of sensationalized PETA movies to get all of these ideas. Thanks for sharing your frustrations and for stopping by.
October 14th, 2009 at 10:57 am
Amanda, you are so gracious! You responded so wonderfully to Mr Spoon. Like you, I wonder where he gets his descriptions of animal cruelty. I am know that cruelty happens (to people as well as animals) and as God’s people we work to insure it happens as little as possible.
We cant “shut up” and get the message across to our urban consumers that we ARE good stewards of the land and animals that God has so graciously provided for us. Keep up the good work, Amanda!
October 14th, 2009 at 10:59 am
Keep up the good work Amanda. You are a better person than I am in dealing with the Harveys of this world. We are proud of the work you do . Thanks
October 14th, 2009 at 11:00 am
Amanda,
Great job bringing this to light, and please don’t take Harley’s words to heart. The last thing we need you to do is “shut up,” and his spewing of hypocrisy is clearly a frustration which should be aimed inward rather than at you. Harley, you enjoy fried chicken and a good steak? I’m sure you know exactly where each one of those animals is raised, how they are raised, and the entire process that brought it to your plate, right? I doubt it, and you are probably (albeit pure speculation on my part) not involved in any aspect of animal agriculture.
The cattlemen and woman who take part in this industry are for the most part outstanding stewards of their animals, the land, and the “process” which brings quality food to the market. Yes, there will be sad, yet rare, examples of abuses, but I dare say that you are also an example of a “bad example” for your animal rights group. Seriously, why would you inject racism into this debate? Who are you to call anyone a hyporcrite? Can you honestly say that the HSUS intends to share the Word of God without pushing their animal rights agenda?
Perhaps you can educate me, because I honestly don’t know, but does your HSUS have a written policy for the humane treatment of domestic animals destined for the food chain? My understanding was that it was a zero tolerance agenda, meaning no-animal for food, but again, I just don’t know. If not, I would love for the HSUS to have a written policy that ACCEPTs animal agriculture which is done in a humane way. I’d gladly sell them “humanely raised beef” and forsee an outstanding market not unlike the organically raised products! Most of the readers of this site and the members of the NCBA would gladly sign on and welcome those HSUS beef eating customers into the fold! But alas, I fear that this is not nor ever could be the case, because in their view all animal agriculture is evil.
The image you portray of the animals demise is horrible, but also classic media fodder. Unfortunate, no doubt, but on a biblical level wasn’t it oft mentioned the “piercing or slicing” of the throat followed by the burnt offering? Again, I am 100% in favor of humane practice, but please don’t use a few tragic incidences as your litmus test for the entire industry!
Also, what’s up with the shouting? It’s called “Caps Lock,” and it’s located on the left side of your keyboard. It’s free, too, and doesn’t harm any animals except perhaps some micro-organisms that may have crawled under there, so go ahead an push it.
Amanda, rock on. WE got your point, and as a Christian cattle producer I appreciate your continued efforts. Perhaps this entire HSUS experiment will backfire and it may just be God’s plan that this happen, for if they are on Christian School campus’ then they will be exposed to his Word, and maybe something will change inside one of them:) Perhaps we can welcome some HSUS members into the brotherhood of Christ and then talk about their new path over a delicious, juicy, humanely raised Porterhouse:)
God be with you and may he continue to bless all of your efforts, Amanda! You, too, Harley!
Blaine
October 14th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
Well, Amanda, it wasn’t aimed at you, per se. If you will read the “ifs” in my statement and see where the “ifs” were placed, you will see that it was aimed at those who–some of whom commented before me–(1) practice cruelty, (2) may oppose cruelty but not speak out against it or condemn it in words as well as deeds or, as (3) the person who quoted the Bible when he implied God gave us “all things that live”. AS I READ IT, GOD DIDN’T GIVE “ALL THING THAT LIVE” FOR US TO ABUSE BUT ONLY TO USE; maybe as the indigenous peoples did before the greed and avarice of “civilization” & unbridled laissez faire capitalism took over! I am, for the ones who want to leap before looking again, a capitalist! If the boot I described in the previous comment doesn’t fit, you needn’t wear it. My remarks are for the foot that fits into the boot I described. Now, go back and read what I said and think as you read!
For those who are indignant and self righteous about my take on this issue, it seems so many of you–NOT ALL, lest I ruffle the feathers of the “innocent”–are just as defensive & ambivalent about stewardship of the environment as you are animal cruelty! Why! If you are opposed to animal cruelty and the destruction of the environment–which supports all of us, human, flora and fauna–do you stand back and allow the polluters and poisoners of our air, water, soil and food get by with it? Get off your butts, on to your feet, out of the shade and into the heat and get after the bad guys, not those who actually like meat but who hate animal cruelty. Cruelty, in any form, is not a virtue! It doesn’t demonstrate toughness! It epitomizes gutlessness and cowardice!
And, for your information, I am in the cattle, grain and hay business just outside of Waco, Texas & Okmulgee, Oklahoma. I am a former Marine, a former football coach and no bleeding heart. I am a hard nosed pragmatist–not a wild-eyed liberal or reactionary conservative–who understands that if we take care of what God gives us, we’ll reap the necessary harvest He has in store for us–even in the face of good and bad times. And, yes, I am very careful about the agricultural products & by-products I purchase; I supply most of those things to my household and to those who work for me.
October 14th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Harley,
Well, I’ll give you this: your second post made more sense to me than your first did.
I can appreciate “no cruelty,” across the board, no doubt. I appreciate your candidness regarding your relationship to the cattle industry, and can agree with you that we all must “get off our butts” and get after the “bad guys.” I would also add that this is EXACTLY what Amanda is doing! Those very “bad guys” may very well be the animal activists who do not march for lessening cruelty in the industry and outling good legislation for honorable animal-production practice, but to outlaw any animal agriculture or production in totatlity! Again, they have zero-tolerance in this area: NO ANIMALS for food (sorry for the shout:). My point here is that Amanda is making valid arguements on one front of the battle, and by making others aware that the HSUS is now taking a Christian stance in their efforts to marginalize our way of life, then we should be cheering her on rather than casting her as a racist or hypocrite!
After all, if you are truly what you say you are, Amanda is indeed standing up for your business and way of life through her watch dog efforts, and you should thank her.
I wish you a safe, healthy, and prosperous harvest season,
Blaine
October 14th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
I posted this on her website:
Farming Family
I want to first congradulate Carrie for her success and career. She is very talented and beautiful young lady and I thank God that we have committed Christian celebrites such as her to set good examples for our young, BUT those of us who are true country who live in rural America and depend on family farming hard work and treat your heighbor as you would like to be treated type folks have come to see regretfully that Mrs. Underwood is Undermining the life-style of our heritage from generations past by promoting and advocating Veganism for all, which is hurting and suggesting our nations school’s FFA programs as being cruelty to animals, sense they are raised to be in the fore-front to produce the best quality of meat product for America’s diner table.
I want readers to know that we raise and care for our livestock in a manner that most PEDA and HSUS would admire adamantly as far as compassion and treatment; futhermore, the bible tells us that animals were sacraficed prior the the coming of our great LORD and Saviour and was pleasing to God. Also when the protocols son had returned from the wilderness a great feast was order and the preparation of his best calf was ordered. Jesus quoted this story to his disciples. He also over-turned the things of the past which barred eating pork.
My point is Mrs Underwood, please, respect others wishes as it is called “FREEDOM” and “AMERICAN”as I respect yours. I support your fight for family domestic pets as they have there place in society too, but please don’t promote the changing of rural America by your extreme advocating all to be vegatarians because those of us who love eating meat know that this is as American as you can get. Besides it’s healthy for you! Also, don’t forget that your main fans are from rural America and who eat meat and if continue to hurt our cherished industry, then we may not have the money to see your concerts or buy your recordings, this is, if you ‘re not “TOO HOLLYWOOD” yet and don’t give a hoot. Someting to think about!
Best Regards,
Joey
October 14th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
Blaine, One man’s Christian activism is another man’s act of charlatans and vice versa. I am not taking the side of HSUS or PETA. et al. on “no animal for food” mantra….but I sure as heck am not joining up with those who preach the gospel of profit at any cost in agriculture or any other industry and most assuredly I am not joining up with those who are apologists for those who do abuse God’s gifts to humanity; including animals, air, water, soil, rain forests, etc. I am merely saying that they who pretend that there are those in agriculture, especially in the livestock end of it, who aren’t unnecessarily and/or wantonly cruel in their way of killing livestock, are abject hypocrites and liars. By the same token, it also appears that so many of those same people who rant at those who seek humaneness in agriculture also deny that what mankind is doing over and above nature to unnaturally destroy rain forests at the rate of an area the size of Connecticut every year while putting multi-millions of tons more unnaturally produced C02 particulates and gases into the atmosphere & pour filth and poison into our rivers and into our oceans, etc., all at a pace which is more than stretching nature’s capacity to filter it, is harmful to the earth and mankind. Our oceans are over capacity with C02 and other forms of filth. I realize that we have to make some messes along the way but we don’t have to allow those messes, unbridled, to destroy what God has given us to work with. Nature will have its cycles; man does not have to unnecessarily exacerbate those cycles! Wall Street says “greed is good!” God says just the opposite! So, when I hear/read people decrying any effort to mitigate our thoughtless misbehavior and wanton bad behavior (animal cruelty, unabated destruction of the environment, etc.), naturally I get on my soap box. The reality is that I use very “green” technology in my ag operations and I am making more & cleaner profit year in and year out than ever. There is no animal cruelty on my property or even near it & yes we kill our own meat…humanely! We use the sun, wind, geo-therm, natural gas, bio-char, rotation, no-plow to low-plow, recycling (water, compost, etc.) to keep our soil evermore productive. We use free and naturally filtered and aerated shallow well gyp water for many purposes while conserving our sweet water. We minimize pollution of ground water and surface water to almost zero. I could go on and on. It is work–but what isn’t? It is also rewarding financially and to our souls. I guess that makes me the Great Satan to the Beck’s, Hannity’s & Limbaugh’s of the world. A man is judged by his critics. I will gladly accept criticism from that bunch.
October 14th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Blaine, one man’s good guy is another man’s bad guy; as Jesus allowed us to discover several thousand years ago! To the hierarchy of Judaism in that time, Jesus was a dangerous man and had to be crucified. Today, in the US, if one has any doubts about Jesus, that person is the “bad guy” even though very few Christians live up to even try to live up to the teachings of Jesus; even the big teachings! Even today, when someone repeats the things Jesus beseeched us to do, we get laughed down and called liberals, communists, socialists, bleeding hearts, traitors to capitalism, etc. When I hear Limbaugh’s, Hannity’s, Beck’s vicious, personal & vitriolic damnation of anyone, almost immediately I know whose side I am on until otherwise convinced by the truth and facts; certainly not Hannity’s, Beck’s or Limbaugh’s side! While some in the HSUS may be atheists, I suspect most of HUSU’s supporters are Christians or Jews; maybe even some Moslems; all of whom believe in the one God with many names: Heavenly Father, Lord, Yahweh, Jehovah, Allah, et al.
October 14th, 2009 at 3:10 pm
To all in a spirit of reconciliation: “We can not live harmlessly at our own expense; we depend on other creatures and survive by their deaths. To live, we must daily break the body and shed the blood of Creation. The point is, when we do this knowlingly, lovingly, skillfully, reverently, it is a sacrament; when we do it ignorantly, greedily, clumsily, destructively, it is a desecration… in such desecration, we condemn ourselves to spiritual and moral loneliness, and others to want.” Wendell Berry
“Long before the instutionalized religions came along - and temples and churches - there was an unquestioned recognition that what goes on in the kitchen is holy…Do we not hallow places by our very commitment to them? When we turn our home into a place that nourishes and heals and contents, we are meeting directly all the hungers that a consumer society exacerbates and never satisfies.” Carol Flinders
Quotes from FOOD & FAITH, justice, joy and daily bread. Edited and compiled by Michael Schut
I could not say it better.
October 14th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
Harley
You have successfully brought forward one major point…the agriculture world, be it row-cropping or livestock production, is NOT solely responsible for the mess this world is in environmentally and with regard to animal cruelty. One segment of our society that “does not get it” is the urban and city dwellers. Scientific data proves that population along with the city managment of waste is a huge factor in our environmental problems. Animal cruelty abounds in cities around the world. But it is those people who are swayed by the rants and raves of HSUS and come to believe that the people who produce our food are the responsible parties because all we want is the money rewards. Sensationalism seems to get the attention of those people rather than good, sound science. I believe all HSUS wants is the money rewards and it doesnt matter what it takes to get it done. Look at their bottom line. I dont believe any of them are truly Christian or they wouldnt be doing the things they do to people.
There is room in the agriculture world for lots of improvement and I think we are improving every year…in bushels produced, in pigs-per-sow-year produced, in calf livability, and especially in doing those things in environmentally and humanely sound ways.
The people you mentioned…Beck, Limbaugh, ect., do the things they do for sensationalism…much like HSUS. We have to have good sense enough to weed out what is true and what is not. I believe God gives us a brain to do just that.
October 14th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
Harley,
I suppose we will have to agree to disagree. Although I do not agree with everything that the Limbaughs & Hannity’s say, I tend to lean to the right. Beck is more activist than right winger, and I find him to be engaged in the process and at the very least challenges the viewer to think. What is happening in government today, from heath care reform to a repressive death tax to agenda-based radicals like Cass Sunstein being placed into positions of serious power, I am very afraid for the future of this country and my cattle business.
I will not challenge you on your theology or whatever diety you choose to worship, and do not wish to engage in a debate of religion on a BEEF blog-site. I actually find your core theory to be sound, and mostly agreeable, but also ask that where you castigated Amanda for placing HSUS in check for using Christian reference to forward their agenda, that you also place the same stern stipulations (or at the very least, criticsms) on them.
From your words, you are truly doing the right things to be a great steward of the land and working hard to be a leading example in the “green movement.” The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association annually provides for an Enviornmental Stewardship Award for active ranchers who know and practice positive enviornmental ranching strategies that not only contribute positively to our industry, but to the planet. It sounds as though many a rancher could learn from your techniques, and perhaps you and your ranch could be one of the operations highlighted as a true “enviornmental steward.” I know award is not your goal, but the reward of teaching others may be, so if you are not an NCBA member I strongly suggest that you join and become active!
Congratualtions, Harley, on being committed to your beliefs and progressive in “green” ranching. May you continue to be blessed!
Blaine
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BEEF Daily is your online news source for today’s beef industry updates, every Monday through Thursday morning. BEEF’s Web Editor, Amanda Nolz, captures the essence of life as a South Dakota cattle producer and college student, as well as top headlines of the day. YOU can also weigh in your thoughts. Don’t miss a minute of the action; subscribe to the BEEF Daily e-newsletter today!Top Viewed Entries of 2009!
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