I was raised a Roman Catholic. You know -- the original Christians. I reject such thinking out of hand. It's nonsense. Again, we can do both. It is not a matter of one or the other.
Geraldo Riviera helped rescue an elderly woman who had stayed behind in New Orleans rather than leave her beloved 15 1/2 year old dog. Geraldo and the team of rescuers with him took the old woman and the dog. Later he looked her up at the airport. The little dog was still with her. Someone had given her a little bowl of water for the dog, and all was well in her world even though she no longer had a home.
When a pet is all you have left in the world, that pet is a treasure beyond price to you. I simply do not believe the merciful Lord in whom I believe expects otherwise.
Your version of Christianity is hard, cold and heartless.
My local Christian radio station ran a short "perspective" type of commentary on the question "Do you feel fortunate or unfortunate?"
Several scenarios were presented and the hurricane was central to most of the examples.
The commentator told of a NO man who lost everything except his little dog "Cuddles".
He then asked would we consider this man fortunate or unfortunate?
I instantly thought "fortunate" for I'd count myself blessed to escape with not only my life but the lives of my beloved dogs.
"hard, cold and heartless."
Legalism always is.
Christ made it a point to chastise those keeping the letter of the law whilst ignoring the spirit of the law.
["rescuing a donkey from a ditch on the Sabbath" springs to mind]...;)
Very well said.