Mar 19, 2012
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A California newspaper owned by a well-known animal rights advocate is calling on authorities to file criminal charges against a group of Christian teenagers and their leaders after they held a pig chase and then barbecued the participants.
“The actions against these pigs was pure savagery, behavior certainly not Christian,” The Santa Barbara News-Press declared in a lengthy editorial titled ‘Barbarism in the Name of Jesus in Santa Barbara.’ “Can you just imagine the horror and fear the pigs faced suffering such cruelty?”
FOLLOW TODD ON FACBOOK FOR CULTURE WAR NEWS!
Wendy McCaw is the co-publisher of the newspaper. On her website, she is described as a “staunch defender of wildlife preservation and animal welfare.”
The pig rodeo occurred at a weekend youth retreat for Reality Santa Barbara, a 4,000-member evangelical church that meets in three locations. It was first reported by the newspaper which learned of the event from the parent of a friend of one of the teens.
The youth retreat was held at a ranch. The weekend event included Bible studies, worship and prayer. Church officials said the pig chase involved two pigs purchased from a shop that legally sells the animals to the public.
At some point the teenage boys painted their faces and chased down the grease-covered pigs. Afterwards, licensed hunters were on hand to slaughter and butcher the animals. The hunter explained to the boys how to use each cut of meat so nothing was wasted.
“These acts had nothing to do with Christianity and everything to do with sick, depraved behavior,” the newspaper wrote, suggesting the church should have its tax-exempt status removed and calling the barbecue “third world barbarism.”
George Torres, the executive pastor of Reality Church, told Fox News he regretted the way the weekend youth retreat had been described in the newspaper.
“In retrospect, looking at the weekend as a combination of the greased pig contest and the barbecue at one time and one location, along with the painted faces unfortunately created a bad perception and one we regret,” he said.
But he also accused the newspaper of having an agenda and said he was stunned by the paper’s harsh editorial.
“The agenda is obviously anti-Christ,” he told Fox News. “They highlight what they thought was an opportunity to give the Bride of Christ a black eye.”
The Santa Barbara News-Press suggested the church was a cult, “what with replicating third world savagery complete with malicious torture.”
“One would think reading about Reality Santa Barbara’s senseless and barbaric pig slaughter that we’d stepped back in time to the days of the Neanderthals,” the newspaper wrote.
Torres also accused the newspaper of publishing the photographs of teenagers, many of them minors, without parental consent.
“They took them (the photos) off Facebook without permission,” Torres said. “Now they’re calling these kids names.”
Scott Steepleton, the city editor for the newspaper, defended the use of the photos and said they were fair game.
“We don’t have any regrets publishing them, not at all,” he told Fox News.
The Santa Barbara District Attorney’s office said they were aware of the incident but so far no case has been referred to their department. Any criminal investigation would have to originate with the sheriff’s department.
However, a spokesman for the district attorney told Fox News that as far as they were concerned the church did not violate any laws – and the pigs were not slaughtered inhumanely.
Torres said it is deeply disturbing that the newspaper misrepresented the weekend retreat and Bible study. He said what the reporter did was unfair.
He said some of the students involved in the pig chase were members of the Future Farmers of America. No students had weapons and the slaughter was done by a trained hunter.
“He wanted to educate the kids – teach them how you get bacon, ribs,” Torres said. “What he thought would be educational turned out to be something that we never intended it to be.”
Gemma Vaughn, a spokesperson for People For Ethical Treatment of Animals, said she was disturbed by the treatment of the pigs.
“Certainly this event must have been a miserable and terrifying experience for the pigs,” she told Fox News. “It makes it all the more tragic.”
She said PETA would welcome an investigation into the case by local authorities.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Dept. did not return calls seeking comment.
With reporting from the Associated Press.
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Just because it is a church group don't' mean they are good little bastards….
and it does mean you are either
and it does mean you are either
You are absolutely right.. No one is…. If they think they are, well I guess they should do some soul searching….
bet the BBQ was good.
Give me some ribs and a pulled pork sandwich please. When we are all stuffed, we can dump the entrails in a pile on Wendy McCaw's front porch.
Too late, we ate those too.
The people at this "newspaper" are morons, the church, the kids, and all who participated have nothing to be ashamed of. If these tofu eaters don't like it, fine, don't look, and don't participate, you live in a fantasy world, stay on your couch and leave the rest of us alone!
Where I live PETA stands for" People Eating Tasty Animals" and pork ribs and bacon are quite tasty!
Where I live PETA stands for" People Eating Tasty Animals" and pork ribs and bacon are quite tasty!
Clyde High School would be ashamed, Gil. Where I come from, "Rice" is quite tasty as well. Get the picture Gil?
Robert Bustamante So eat me!!!!!!!!!!
Robert Bustamante we would like to know just where rice tastes good.
hell, church kids gotta eat, too!
hell, church kids gotta eat, too!
Mmmmm..bbq'd pork.
Mmmmm..bbq'd pork.
Pigs are slaughtered all the time. “Can you just imagine the horror and fear the pigs faced suffering such cruelty? How can you tell the pigs were terrified? What a joke.
So you're actually stupid enough to think they enjoyed being tortured and then killed?
So you're actually stupid enough to think they enjoyed being tortured and then killed?
Ray Fleming you are actually stupid enough to think we care, pork is food, I don't usually stop to think about what my food felt before I eat it. Do you worry about what the veggies feel before you eat them, I where alive at one point to, lol
Ray Fleming U R a total idiot
I just had piggy for dinner. Somebody sure killed it before I got it. Probably hit it over the head. More merciful than chasing it down I guess.
Betty Howard Betty you're an old woman. Part of a generation the world will be better off without in a few short years.
Josh Sesters No I'm not stupid enough to think you and your kind have the mental or emotional maturity to think about anything other than yourself. However, you do need to be informed that there are people out there, better than you, that consider humane slaughter for food to be a sign of a civilized nation.
That was a totally retired response! Keep it up
Pigs are slaughtered all the time. “Can you just imagine the horror and fear the pigs faced suffering such cruelty? How can you tell the pigs were terrified? What a joke.
I am not for the senseless torture or killing of a animal for no reason. But the hunting and killing of animals for food is a natural thing. People, the loin does not sleep with the lamb. So please tell me, at what point in the existance of man, did animals take precedent over the rights or well being of people. I see constantly in the paper where some poor soul was sentenced to years in jail for some percievied injustice to an animal. These same people will pass up a starving child on the streets with nary a glance, but cry the loudest for the protection of a pig, cow or mass murderer. Sorry, I tune them out and only shake my head whenever they do take my notice, with the thought of "what a moron".
Excuse me, but I beg to differ: the "loin does sleep with the lamb"…..that is, a well prepared pork LOIN and lamb wothy of a LION.
Excuse me, but I beg to differ: the "loin does sleep with the lamb"…..that is, a well prepared pork LOIN and lamb wothy of a LION.
I am not for the senseless torture or killing of a animal for no reason. But the hunting and killing of animals for food is a natural thing. People, the loin does not sleep with the lamb. So please tell me, at what point in the existance of man, did animals take precedent over the rights or well being of people. I see constantly in the paper where some poor soul was sentenced to years in jail for some percievied injustice to an animal. These same people will pass up a starving child on the streets with nary a glance, but cry the loudest for the protection of a pig, cow or mass murderer. Sorry, I tune them out and only shake my head whenever they do take my notice, with the thought of "what a moron".
lets lynch some peta pos and bbq there asses.
The liberal loons in CA even went after the head of fish and game for legally shooting a mountain lion in a another state where it was allowed. Said he went against the will of the people in CA. LMAO!
I wonder what Wendy's stance is on abortion. Just curious.
I wonder what Wendy's stance is on abortion. Just curious.
I can Guess…i bet you can too and wouldn't be too far off
I wonder if she's ever witnesses a "Partial Birth Abortion". Barbarism at it's worst.
good grief. pigs are not human beings, they are food.
good grief. pigs are not human beings, they are food.
Actually, I've known a few human beings that would fit in the pig category. Their usually associated with politics.
I like how the newspaper conveniently left out the "KILLED BY LICENSED HUNTERS" part. Yeah, those kids are sooo to blame for having fun, having Hunters kill them, and then learning about how to properly slaughter a pig, learn each section, and then eat all the good stuff.
PETA and that newspaper need to get a life! Go find some ACTUAL animal abuse like Puppy Mills! Leave the sane people alone.
It's amazing how a small group of people want to control everyone else's lives. Thank you Peta for being stupid.
It's amazing how a small group of people want to control everyone else's lives. Thank you Peta for being stupid.
I like how the newspaper conveniently left out the "KILLED BY LICENSED HUNTERS" part. Yeah, those kids are sooo to blame for having fun, having Hunters kill them, and then learning about how to properly slaughter a pig, learn each section, and then eat all the good stuff.
PETA and that newspaper need to get a life! Go find some ACTUAL animal abuse like Puppy Mills! Leave the sane people alone.
How can I spoil any one elses fun is her motto.
How can I spoil any one elses fun is her motto.
Priceless. I guess this id iot thinks the cows, pigs, chickens and so one we eat committed suicide.
I want this guy arrested for supreme ignorance.
Priceless. I guess this id iot thinks the cows, pigs, chickens and so one we eat committed suicide.
I want this guy arrested for supreme ignorance.
Dagnammit! All this talk about pork has gotten me all hungry! Now all I can think of is roaster pork done over a spit and pork craklin's. Yum!
Dagnammit! All this talk about pork has gotten me all hungry! Now all I can think of is roaster pork done over a spit and pork craklin's. Yum!
A HAM on cheese sandwich sound sood right now.Wendy don't forfet how I want my bacon cooked tomorro morning.
A HAM on cheese sandwich sound sood right now.Wendy don't forfet how I want my bacon cooked tomorro morning.
If this is the case and charges are filed.They will set prescedent to proscute every county fair in the state of Ky. at the very least.The greased pig contest has been at every county fair I have ever gone to in 40 years.The real problem I see is that this artical even made the news.Those people that wrote the artical should be brought up on charges for wasting the polices time and that of the procuters.
If this is the case and charges are filed.They will set prescedent to proscute every county fair in the state of Ky. at the very least.The greased pig contest has been at every county fair I have ever gone to in 40 years.The real problem I see is that this artical even made the news.Those people that wrote the artical should be brought up on charges for wasting the polices time and that of the procuters.
They ought to come to the Belen Matanza in NM where some 50 pigs are prepared. No time for this newspaper nonsense.
BLT for me please.
California never ceases to amaze me just how stupid a human can be and still breathe. These morons at this paper are the very ones that want to elect Obastard back in the white house.
That goes for PETA also
LOLCATZ Obama + bastard. Quick thinking, Joe. Big things still coming from Little Rock. Arkansas that is.
As Jerry clower would say to make it fair the pigs could have out ran the teens
what seems to be the problem with this BBQ? I don't see it. what I do see is a concerted effort to make biased and ignorant complaints against evangelicals. gee, I wonder who would do that? maybe a group who doesn't like christians? hmmm. now, let's see…a group who doesn't like christians…a group who should not even be here in the united states…the name starts with M and rhymes with Fuzlims.
More than likely Obama
Judith, I think you should contact Gil Rice over at Clyde High School with this stimulating and informative discusion. See the above. Keep in touch. Clyde, I have nothing to say to you.
Lobsters squeal when boiled or barbequed, plants supposedly scream when cut, and according to someone somewhere just about and living, growing thing has death pains before eating. What's left, cheese and butter?
Not a single thing wrong with a 'pig roast'. I would venture to guess the newspaper owner would be a veggin. Nothing wrong with either meat or vegetables-they actually go together well for most meals. The difference in thinking is the basic 'world view' of the parties. I am aware that some folks would give 'animals' the same 'rights' as humans. That is way crazy if not downright evil. Those people need prayer. They have NO concept the God that created the heavens and the earth. They are lost to truth, and the freedom found in Christ.
"Quick! Get all those animals out there that kill other animals by chasing them down, ripping them apart and eating them clapped in irons. We can't have that kind of barbarism going on in the world."
I vote we give the state of California to these kinds of morons; after a year, they'll either be dead or know the truth.
I certainly hope those people don't go to the grocery store and buy bacon, sausage, pork chops, ham, etc.! That would make them hypocrits.
Peta has no room to criticize. Google "Peta euthanizes animals" Since 1998 they have euthanized 27,000 cats and dogs. These pigs were slaughtered in a humane way and the meat was used for food. Clean up your act Peta.
I guess they will have to cancel the cat chase scheduled for this weekend. Sigh.
EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT PIGS BLEED OUT BETTER IF YOU GET THE ADRENAL GLANDS PUMPING, RUN THEM BEFORE YOU CUT THEIR THROATS THEY BLEED OUT BETTER, WATCHING KIDS CHASING GREASED PIGS IS A PIG PICKIN TRADITION IT JUST STIRS UP THE APPETITE FOR A OLD….. " COCHON DE LAIT".
Also makes the meat more tender. greased pig races go on all the time, run porky run,
JIMMIE, I ALSO FIND MYSELF TYPING IN ALL CAPS! HOW DOES ONE STOP THIS?! YOU CAN REACH ME BY CONTACTING GIL RICE AT CLYDE HIGH SCHOOL!
GOOD EYE! ROBERT, SOMETIMES ALL CAPS! IS THE ONLY WAY TO REACH THE ANAL-RETENTIVE!
GOOD EYE! ROBERT, SOMETIMES ALL CAPS! IS THE ONLY WAY TO REACH THE ANAL-RETENTIVE!
The term anal-retentive (also anally retentive), commonly abbreviated to anal, is used conversationally to describe a person who pays such attention to detail that the obsession becomes an annoyance to others
The term anal-retentive (also anally retentive), commonly abbreviated to anal, is used conversationally to describe a person who pays such attention to detail that the obsession becomes an annoyance to others
In Acadiana, cochon de lait is the ultimate celebration food. The time and effort that go into preparing and roasting a whole pig require the appreciation of a large gathering.
throngs descend on little Mansura in central Louisiana each May for Cajun food, live music, rides, games, contests, street dances, parades, arts & crafts booths…and more cochon de lait than you can shake a stick at. The festival is the perfect place to witness the time-honored ritual of cochon de lait preparation. The pig is dressed and placed in a wire rotisserie cage – the same design that has been used for generations. A roasting shanty is constructed and filled with piles of pecan and hickory wood. Dangling in the heat and smoke above the smoldering wood, rows and rows of cochon de lait roast to perfection in their wire racks. It’s a sight to behold, but even more beguiling are the smoky aroma and the delicious taste. Add some additional flavor with a splash or two of your favorite TABASCO® brand Pepper Sauce flavor. amen!
Sounds like a very fun retreat weekend for the youth involved. Did any of the youth feel disturbed by the events? Probably not and that is where the argument ought to lie. It seems that the organization took good measures to conduct the event appropriately. I would simply hope that those who were opposed, if they eat pork, realize that their eating butchered pigs and are equally evil by their own argument. As for the tormenting of the pigs? If those concerned over the experiences of the pigs being chased down by predators, wouldn' that actually make them feel more like being in their natural habitat? Or do those who are complaining assume that pigs live peaceful lives with predators in the wild? It is a bunch of silliness and makes clear the actual agenda of those writing the newspaper article. I don't think the church should have expressed any regrets. There was nothing wrong with what they did. However, the newspaper's taking pictures off of their website to sell newspapers seems more predatory than the incident with the pigs.
Im a softy and dont like to think of where my meat came from blah blah blah but i dont really think this was a bad thing. Boys need to learn and have structure and be boys. so many dads are to busy to teach hunting, history and respect… by good upstanding solid men doing this instead of some drunk at a party or a video game where its for fun and gruesome makes this.. even with my love for animals and queasy tummy… I can see where this would be a "wholesome" good, structured life lesson.
Straight out of "Lord of the Flies" where Simon ending up talking to a head of a pig which represented Christ before being hunted down himself. George Torres must be a literary man.
pigs were created for consumption. Animal activists need to get a life, you value animal life & rights above humans. How pathetic is that! I'll bet you eat pork too.
the leftest paper knows how to treat
Pigs,but does not know how to treat
Women.
If the animal rights activists devoted half as much energy to HUMAN beings in need, the world would be a far better place. This comes from a tofu eating, non-church attending liberal…
If the animal rights activists devoted half as much energy to HUMAN beings in need, the world would be a far better place. This comes from a tofu eating, non-church attending liberal…
Chasing a greased pig is sometimes part of rodeo events for kids. Can't imagine what they have to say about rodeos though…