I have written two posts in quick succession about the hypocritical misuse of religion for war, strife, oppression and discrimination. Having got that off my chest, I am happy to present a kinder, gentler story on religion. This one warmed my theologically skeptical but animal friendly heart.
(For a glimpse into our own animal nature, see here.)
"At St. Francis Episcopal Church in Stamford, Connecticut, the pews are filled with some unlikely worshipers. Dogs sit by their owners’ sides and cats peer out from carriers during a monthly pet-friendly service.
Barks and purrs—or "prayer noises," as the church calls them—can be heard during the afternoon celebration of Eucharist, in which people receive communion and pets a special blessing. The half-hour service focuses on the special relationships people have with their animals, says Rev. Mark Lingle.
In addition to special blessings or regular church services, these places hold private pet memorials or burials and offer grief counseling to comfort members whose pets have died…..
Dealing With Loss
Rabbi Neil Comess-Daniels of Beth Shir Sholom, a progressive reform Jewish synagogue in Santa Monica, California, says that when a pet dies, owners suffer the same grief as they would over the loss of a human. For years he’s made condolence calls or visits with members of his congregation whose pets have died. And after each service he says a prayer for members mourning the loss of an animal or human.
"It’s something people don’t necessarily expect their synagogue to do, which is to recognize how important their animals are in their lives," he said. ……
Rev. Gill Babeu, a Catholic priest at St. Bridget of Ireland in Stamford, Connecticut, says he understands the pain of losing a beloved companion animal. Six months ago he was devastated by the death of his poodle, Louise Frances, and fell into a deep depression.
When asked if there are dogs in heaven, he replied: "Well, the church says no. But I really believe I’m going to see my little doggie when I get there." ……..
Chaplain Duty
Rob Gierka is a new breed of chaplain. Originally trained to provide pastoral care at hospitals, he now consoles North Carolina pet owners whose animals are sick or dying.
Gierka grew up in a houseful of animals and experienced a deep sadness with each one’s passing, he says. But no one ever acknowledged his feelings or seemed to care about his pets’ deaths.
Today the Baptist chaplain provides clients at a local animal-rehabilitation center with what he didn’t have as a child—a shoulder to cry on……..
As religious leaders begin to recognize the human-animal bond, some Episcopal Church leaders have gone a step further by raising awareness of various animal issues such as cruelty, neglect, and exploitation.
The Episcopal Network for Animal Welfare—launched two years ago—has about 200 members as well as 15 churches that have pledged to be "animal friendly." ……
Christians’ views of animals are slowly changing for the better, says Andrew Linzey, an Anglican priest and author of several books on the subject, including Animal Rights: A Historical Anthology. Historically, Christian theology has been against animals, Linzey says, regarding them as little more than lumps of meat.
"It may be that we exploit animals so much precisely because we have such a spiritually impoverished view of their status," Linzey said. "The Christian mind should be [that] we are given life by a generous creator," he said. "And we in turn, in the image of God, must show that generosity to other creatures."
Accidental Blogger 