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Our First (and only?) Bullfight

Julie and I recently went to our first bullfight since living in Spain. Somewhere around half of Spaniards are against bullfighting, while the other half support it, more or less. Those who are against it dislike bullfighting for different reasons. Some think it is pure cruelty, others don't like the image that it portrays of Spain to the rest of the world. This I totally understand because probably about a half to two-thirds of the people at the bullfight we saw were foreigners (us included!), meaning that very few Spaniards actually go to bullfights. A lot of Spaniards have seen at least one bullfight, while probably over half of the Spaniards I have met have never been, nor have any desire to go.

What a lot of people outside of Spain, especially in the US, don't realize is that during a bullfight, you basically watch six large bulls get killed. The art of the fight is amazing, and very entertaining. Also, the sheer risk and courage involved (bullfighters can die), makes it more exilerating than any sport (if you can call it that) I have ever watched. Running a slant pattern over the middle as a wide receiver and catching a ball while being completely exposed takes guts, but being face to face with 1200lb. bull that can kill you, while trying to take your little sword and stab it just behind the head is completely different. The moment of the kill is actually the most dangerous for the torero.

The excitement and entertainment, however, isn't enough for me to side with the Spaniards who are for bullfighting. Most of the fight is spent wearing down the bull, running it around while also sticking small hook-like spears in its back the help bleed the bull before the kill. I can't help but think, that as stewards of God's creation, that bullfighting just doesn't fit into the picture of who God made us to be. However, I understand that it is a grey area. They do use the bull for meat, and the kill is usually fairly quick (although we did get to watch a bull get stabbed multiple times over a five minute period before it finally died). Many family members and friends of mine hunt, and I'm not against that. I think it's the spectacal of the long slow death before thousands of fans that just doesn't sit right with me. Although I have to admit, after the first few bulls, and after become a bit numb to the blood and violence, it was VERY entertaining. The ritual, the skill and the action were all very fascinating.