All Dogs Go To...

Monday, October 5, 2009
Marthe Chandler of Greencastle looks on as her Yorkshire Terrier mix Fifi, 11, is blessed by the Rev. Bill Wieland Sunday during a Blessing of the Animals ceremony held at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. Several pets, including dogs, cats and a newt, were blessed at the ceremony, which is an annual event at St. Andrew's.

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  • Sorry! I believe that all animals have a soul...and have an after life...... If not, I want to stay with my animals!!

    -- Posted by foxtrotter on Mon, Oct 5, 2009, at 9:36 AM
  • To remove humankind from the realm of Nature denies the sacredness of all of God's creation. What joy could there possibly be in a heaven that does not include the spirits/souls of all living things?

    -- Posted by Maeve04 on Mon, Oct 5, 2009, at 9:56 AM
  • Lots of people talk but don't really say anything. I'll believe my way.......you believe yours and we'll both be happy. :)

    -- Posted by foxtrotter on Mon, Oct 5, 2009, at 3:49 PM
  • @-NOT-A-NATIVE-

    You probably also believe that God "hates gays" It's funny that people who follow the bible sometimes forget what it says. It says God created all creatures, and living things...which would include animals. SO many people LOVE animals just as much as some people, so what kind of heaven would it be if you could not be reunited w/those who you love? Oh, the bible also says that we cannot judge others, so that's all i have to say!

    -- Posted by truthis on Tue, Oct 6, 2009, at 10:57 AM
  • Humans are animals... and as such, one part of the great beauty of all of God's creation. Intellect and opposing thumbs have given us some advantage, but speaking for myself, I would never want to be separated from the whole of Nature. -- Regarding the "killer" snakes -- Humans freely kill each other and decimate the world around them. The venomous snake only strikes when provoked and it fills a unique and necessary ecological niche. I wish we could say the same for human beings.

    -- Posted by Maeve04 on Tue, Oct 6, 2009, at 3:03 PM
  • @NAN: God did not make me. I am the product of evolution. As are we all. Animals are, too. We have souls and spirits, yes. All of us. We are surely not all equal, but we all have feelings and emotions, sensations and sensibilities. I think that to deny that animals have souls is inhuman, and the root of inhumane behavior (which you would undoubtedly consider to be "evil" or worse). When you are chanting your daily convictions, remember that beliefs like that are one of the reasons that there is so much hate in the world. I'm very happy to see Bill Wieland blessing our friends, the animals. They bring so incredibly much to our lives. They enlighten us as to their inner beauty and benevolence. They do not judge us, nor do they make ghastly statements like "those stupid humans don't have souls." They love us unconditionally - and anyone who as ever had the joy of having a dog, cat - or guinea pig would know that. I feel sorry for people like you.

    -- Posted by the_bugler on Tue, Oct 6, 2009, at 5:34 PM
  • @NAN: if we all make it to Heaven, I'll be sure to greet you, and you can bet every dog I have ever owned will be with me - wagging tails and all!

    -- Posted by aMAIZEnBLUE on Wed, Oct 7, 2009, at 7:09 AM
  • HOW SWEET....WHAT A NICE STORY!

    -- Posted by Michele1953 on Wed, Oct 7, 2009, at 10:40 AM
  • How does one's soul evolve? If God didn't create us, where in the evolutionary process is there an explanation for souls/spirits, conscious, will, etc.?

    -- Posted by cloverfan on Wed, Oct 7, 2009, at 10:50 AM
  • Dogs don't go to heaven - the turn to dust of the earth. How can he 'bless' a dog when the dog can't confess? and You have to be baptized into Christ.

    The way to Christ

    Hear - Romans 10:7;

    Believe - Acts 8:37; Rom10:9

    Repent - Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38

    Confess- Matt 10:32; Rom 10:10

    Be Baptized - Gal 3:26-29

    Walk by faith - Rom 6:4;

    Rev 2:10; 1 Cor 15:58

    HOW can a DOG do that??

    -- Posted by ec on Wed, Oct 7, 2009, at 12:23 PM
  • The teachings of Jesus Christ are one way to experience God's saving grace, but not the only way. God speaks to people in many different ways. We humans can hardly comprehend the mysteries of our own relationship with the Divine. How, then, can we presume to know how God 'feels' about all living things? Blessing our animal companions reaffirms our love and respect for them as fellow creatures of God's creation.

    -- Posted by Maeve04 on Wed, Oct 7, 2009, at 2:20 PM
  • There are plenty of people who comment on Banner stories that, like the bugler, HAVE evolved from apes, or slugs, or bottom feeders. It's amazing how they haved adapted to use keyboards.

    -- Posted by Xgamer on Fri, Oct 9, 2009, at 4:13 PM
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