Posted on 07/26/2008 9:24:53 PM PDT by WilliamReading
Carolyn Sharps beloved greyhound Starr was 4 years old when she was diagnosed with a deadly form of cancer.
Sharp decided the two of them would stay together as long as Starr was not suffering too much. The greyhound received radiation treatments and pain patches for several months until the veterinarian told Sharp it was time to end it.
When we went in for the last time, I held her in my arms for the comfort of both of us until she had left, said Sharp, who lives in Overland Park. I have still not really made peace with losing her so young.
Eight years later she still doesnt understand the why. But she is certain shell hold Starr again in an afterlife.
I believe Ill have three cats and a whole bunch of dogs waiting for me, Sharp said.
Is there an afterlife for animals? Or as a popular question puts it, Do all dogs go to heaven?
Jack Vinyardi of Kansas City, an ordained interfaith chaplain of pets, said he is asked that question all the time as he comforts people about to lose or who have lost a pet.
(Excerpt) Read more at kansascity.com ...
“The question should be, is there animals in Heaven ? and the answer is a definite YES ? why ? well, in the Book of Revelations, it says that Jesus will be coming back to Earth on a White Horse....”
++++++++++++++
It’s Revelation, not Revelations.
It wouldn’t be Heaven without ol’ Smokie! :)
“Why is it that most atheists seem so bitter and unhappy?
(As if I didn’t know...)
I feel sorry for you. I really do.”
______________
Why would you think I am bitter and unhappy? Because I don’t believe in fairy tales? I don’t need to believe in an afterlife to be happy. Life is good.
But that’s fine you feel sorry for me, if it makes you feel better.
“A darkened heart leads to a depraved mind. (brain)
I bet you go to work earlier than every one else so you can make the coffee and piss in it.”
_______________________
You lose the bet.
But tell me, please, what is a “darkened heart,” and why does someone who doesn’t believe in fairy tales have a “depraved mind”?
People who are truly happy generally don't feel the need to go around sniping at everyone who disagrees with them. The snarky attitude in your posts gives the appearance of a very lonely man.
Perhaps you've never really experienced what "happiness" is.
You wrote: “Use your brain” and prove it.”
__________
Seems to me people who believe in the supernatural have the burden of proof. As Karl Popper would explain, we can never know for sure there are no pink horses, because it could be we just haven’t run across one yet. But we can still assert as fact there is no proof of pink horses, and we are justified in believing it to be true, unless and until someone produces one. I like the chances there is no supernatural entity for the same reason. I say religion is based on hope and superstition, and say you have the burden of proof.
“Death ( spiritual, and physical ) is the penalty that we deserve for not obeying God.
We can’t blame God for getting ourselves into to this mess.”
______________________
Why are religious people so full of self-hate and self-doubt? What mess are you talking about? Is your life miserable?
“People who are truly happy generally don’t feel the need to go around sniping at everyone who disagrees with them. The snarky attitude in your posts gives the appearance of a very lonely man.
Perhaps you’ve never really experienced what “happiness” is.”
________________
Meet someone who is truly happy (most of the time — I don’t like being served cold soup or hearing of a friend’s misfortune). I do find it interesting how religious people presume those of us grounded in reality (that is, without the crutch of belief in supernatural meddlers like gods and angels etc.) “have never experienced happiness.” Seems to me the “lonely men” are the ones who haven’t enough in this existence and need to dream of a better life after this one.
Too bad for those of the Jewish faith who have already passed on, such as victims of Nazi and Islamic terror, for example. Oh well, they made their choice and now they're doomed to Hell forever.
God didn't have to save sinful people, and he had every right NOT to do so, but, out of his love, he chose to do it.
Hmm. So according to your mythology, an all-loving God made living, feeling beings knowing full well that, except for a few Bible-believing Christians, that his children were going to burn forever in a furnace of fire. I guess that is the Fundie's idea of love?
Yep, we "religious people" are all alike. ;-)
Seems to me the lonely men are the ones who havent enough in this existence and need to dream of a better life after this one.
Yeah, presonally, my life is so dull. It's cool to meet someone who knows everything. You just made my life so much more exciting!
“It’s cool to meet someone who knows everything. You just made my life so much more exciting!”
__________________
No problem. You are very welcome.
Said with such authority. Its impossible for pets to be in heaven...makes your tagline highly ironic, doesn't it.
"With God all things are possible"
Your dogs are just precious and, from what I can see of it, I think that the sofa that they are perched on is also quite lovely.
If their dispositions are an indicator, dogs go to heaven, cats descend to their rightful abode. (just kidding);^)
There are animals in the Millennial Kingdom, Isa 11:6-8; but there is also death and birth in the Millennial Kingdom, along with the possibility of sin.
Romans 8 speaks regarding the corruption of creatures and the deliverance into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
Rom 8:19
(19) For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
Rom 8:20
(20) For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
Rom 8:21
(21) Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
However the context of Romans tends to emphasize humans with a human spirit.
There is only one thing worse than a beloved pet dying and that is going to the vet and having it put down.
I had to do that with my seventeen year old “Blue”, a man couldn’t have asked for a more loyal and loving dog, to this day, fighting back the guilt is only tempered by the fact he was in so much pain.
Don’t let anyone make you feel ridiculous for loving and receiving love from a devoted friend.
Thank you for posting that, I have that framed and hanging under a picture of my deceased dog.
It helps.
Your post brought me to tears and I want to thank you for echoing what my heart says on this subject.
I don’t think there is a tougher “last ride” than the one to the vet.
I made the mistake of reading one of James Herriot’s wonderful books on the subway. I couldn’t stop laughing (they’re wonderful), and I was, of course, getting some very strange books.
Mr. Herriot’s books have been on my gift giving list since the 70’s. I even named my cats Tristan and Siegfried.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.