Strange tradition with bulls in Spain.

[alexwalker]

I do not know what to make of this: I respect local traditions, but, it does seem strange...

http://www.vg.no/bildespesial/12361/ (all text in English)

 

[Mark Lee]

Just like bullfighting, it goes back generations, and just like bullfighting can be a bit shocking to some people.
I figure the bulls, whether in bullfighting or in that fire bull festival, will all eventually end up on the dinner table. For a brief moment, whether in the ring, running on the streets of Pamplona or as a fire bull, the animal is celebrated.

 

[saltwaterpearl]

I do not know what to make of this: I respect local traditions, but, it does seem strange...

http://www.vg.no/bildespesial/12361/ (all text in English)

That is horrifying..... just another twist on the barbaric bloodsport of bullfighting.
I think one can support local traditions without excusing outright cruelty.
There are many, many Spaniards who oppose bullfighting (and no doubt would similarly oppose this atrocity). I'm on their side.

 

[MichaelSG]

As Ivar has pointed out, every time anything bull related gets posted, the same thing happens. Some people come in and say it's barbaric and should be banned. Some people say it's tradition and should be continued. The discussion gets passionate, then it gets acrimonious. After that, the thread gets locked and members get warned. He'll probably be right again.

 

[Mark Lee]

As Ivar has pointed out, every time anything bull related gets posted, the same thing happens. Some people come in and say it's barbaric and should be banned. Some people say it's tradition and should be continued. The discussion gets passionate, then it gets acrimonious. After that, the thread gets locked and members get warned. He'll probably be right again.

Very true. Brings about passionate responses on both sides. I guess I'll just ride the fence on the subject.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go grill a ribeye steak (medium rare) and wash it down with a nice Cabernet Sauvignon. With some grilled veggies of course.

 

[pilgrim b]

Might I sit on your fence Mark I'm rather partial to your fare mine's (medium) please, I'll bring the Sauvignon

 

[Deleted member 3000]

the animal is celebrated

Who has asks the animal if he thinks he is being celebrated?

 

[Mark Lee]

Might I sit on your fence Mark I'm rather partial to your fare mine's (medium) please, I'll bring the Sauvignon

You got a deal, bro. Lot's of room on the fence.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

You got a deal, bro. Lot's of room on the fence.

No one has ever suggested before that the flaming bull reacts with anything other than fear. I was just curious to know how he could feel celebrated.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/flaming-bull.12555/#post-83369

 

[Mark Lee]

No one has ever suggested before that the flaming bull reacts with anything other than fear. I was just curious to know how he could feel celebrated.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/flaming-bull.12555/#post-83369

Didn't say that the animal felt celebrated (the revelers are celebrating the animal). Heck, who's to say what an animal feels. It's an animal. They haven't written any articles or books yet discussing their feelings.
My point is that everyday millions of animals all over the world are slaughtered as food. Livestock, such as bulls, chickens, goats, ducks, sheep, etc. Even dogs in a lot of Asian countries. We all have consumed them. The slaughter and the almost mechanical process that is involved in the processing plants is something most people don't want to think about or deal with, they just want the end product. The bulls used in festivals like that one aren't even killed. It has some fire on its horns for a little while and goes back to pasture. Not really that big a deal. I doubt if it needs counseling afterwards. Besides, it might even get a chance to stomp a reveler.
Little bit of fun I suppose before eventually being turned into steaks, hamburger, belts, boots, shoes, etc.....

 

[saltwaterpearl]

No one has ever suggested before that the flaming bull reacts with anything other than fear. I was just curious to know how he could feel celebrated.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/flaming-bull.12555/#post-83369

Commendable try, Falcon. But I hope you are not waiting around for a mature and reasoned discussion on animal cruelty or cultural traditions.

This thread immediately devolved into chest-thumping and taunts.

It is sad that, no matter where one's ultimate opinion on this issue falls, that someone (a peregrino, no less) can't take a moment to reflect on the idea that causing intense suffering (fear and pain) to a living creature for entertainment purposes might not be the best that humans have to offer this world.

I guess I am naive in that I will never understand how another human can look at the pictures in the link posted by the OP and not be moved to tears by the obvious, intentionally inflicted suffering on display. I want to believe humans are better than that, that we are capable of a greater degree of compassion and empathy, and that we have a higher purpose in life than partying by getting drunk and setting an animal on fire.

Instead, we make steak jokes. Even on a board dedicated to the inner and outer journey of walking pilgrimage..... we make steak jokes.

I have a low, low tolerance for unkindness. A couple of days ago, I was distressed to witness an attack here on a fellow peregrina that involved repeated derogatory name-calling and attacking her appearance. I thought then that this forum sometimes reminds me that there is nothing special about being a peregrino. It is just humans walking in the same physical direction. Next year, I hope to meet and walk with some of the kind ones, and keep better company than I have seen on display in the last few days.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

And sometimes there is justice:

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/jan/21/flaming-horned-bull-gores-man

 

[wayfarer]

I will close this thread now as it is destined to go from bad to worse.