Guest Opinion/Commentary*

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

‘Churches Are Going to the Dogs But Where Are Dogs Going?‘
  Religion piece by Guest: Don Boys

I have always thought the world was crazy, now I’m convinced our churches are also! When I wrote my original article, “No Dogs, Ducks, or Dinosaurs in Heaven, not Even Cats, Cows, or Crows!“ I was convinced that I could not win the argument with many people. However, I did not expect such a response from the church crowd.  Even some fundamentalists! So here I go again.

Almost everyone who responded to me quoted various Bible verses that mention animals; but the Fido-in-Heaven crowd show their desperation by equating that mention with animals going to Heaven.

One preacher wrote me saying, “While it may be true that dogs and ducks won’t be in heaven, or even dinosaurs, you cannot dismiss the fact that there are horses. Nor does this take into consideration any of the other fabulous beasts mentioned in Revelation. Clearly, the Bible teaches that there will be animals in heaven. Maybe not your pets, but animals nonetheless.”

Even if there are literal horses in Heaven that does not speak to the issue of animals dying and going to Heaven? If they do, upon what basis? Only our pets? Or only our special, good, faithful pets? Do bad animals go to Hell? Since animals cannot reason and think, then the basis of them going to Heaven must be based on works, attitude, or instinct. I thought entrance into Heaven has always been by faith. Moreover, I think the horses in Revelation are symbolic just as the sword in Christ’s mouth is. Does any sane person believe that there are horses being stabled in Heaven at this time? If so, who cleans out the stables; maybe backslidden Baptists? If the horses are real then they could be created for that purpose at the end time.

Note that my respondent mentions “other fabulous beasts mentioned in Revelation,” but I don’t know any Bible expert in the last 200 years who does not believe those bizarre animals are symbolic. The whole passage of Scripture makes no sense if the animals are real.

One lady wrote, “Where does God suggest he will not accept them [pets] into heaven?” She doesn’t understand that she and other fanatics are making the claim of poodles in paradise, and it is incumbent upon them to support that claim, something they have not done.

Another wrote, “I don’t know positively if animals go to heaven any more then I know positively that humans do. BUT, I do know they both exist and live on after death.  That’s a fact and no one will ever change it.” This lady is obviously confused as proved by her first sentence. Humans who have repented (something animals cannot do) and trusted in the death and resurrection of Christ (see previous parentheses) will go to Heaven or the Bible is totally unreliable. She states that her assertion is “a fact and no one will ever change it.” She seems to think that making a statement makes it a fact, that her assumptions, thoughts, desires, beliefs, declarations become factual because she wants them to be! She has a right to her own opinions but not to her own facts.

Many Fido-in-Heaven people quote Luke 12 thinking it teaches birds and animals go to Heaven; however, Christ said, “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?” Of course, that proves that God is omniscient not that birds fly into Heaven. Moreover, no one quotes the next verse, “But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.” Not even a suggestion that animals go to Heaven.

The idolization of animals by alleged Bible-believers says much about the condition of our nation. Sure we love, care for, and enjoy our pets, but they don’t have souls that will one day go to Heaven. Nor are they like children. They are beasts and children should be taught to treat them kindly (more so for the sake of the children than the beasts) but not to worship them.

Many preachers are guilty of the warped, worldly, and wicked idolization of pets even to the extent of preaching their funerals!

The Associated Press ran a story about Covenant Presbyterian Church in LA that “has turned God’s house into a doghouse” for one service each Sunday. Boy, that pastor knows what the Gospel is, doesn’t he! That dude should be out selling insurance or grave plots not discrediting, desecrating, and defiling God’s house. That church service is called “Canines at Covenant” and has individual doggie beds, dog treats, and canine prayers! Yes, that church has “gone to the dogs.”

The flakey pastor said, “Many Christians love their pets as much as human family members, but churches have been slow to recognize that love as the work of God….When we love a dog and a dog loves us, that’s a part of God and God is a part of that.“ The AP article did not report any Bible verses to support the radical reverend’s rant. (I have a hunch where that pastor is going.)

There are at least a few more churches that “hold dog-friendly worship services, including one in a Boston suburb called Woof ‘n Worship.”

Fido, Fluffy, and Felix may be made deacons or elders in the near future in some of those churches but those pets will not go to Heaven!

Churches are going to the dogs but the church dogs are not going to Heaven. Face it: there will no poodles in paradise!

Copyright ©2009, Don Boys, Ph.D.

(Dr. Don Boys is a former member of the Indiana House of Representatives, author of 13 books, frequent guest on television and radio talk shows, and wrote columns for USA Today for 8 years. His most recent book is ISLAM: America’s Trojan Horse!  These columns go to over 11,000 newspapers, television, and radio stations. His web sites are http://www.cstnews.com/  and http://www.Muslimfact.com/ )

Posted by Guest: Don Boys on 12/8/09

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