spetter@uunet.uu.net (Scott Spetter) (01/22/91)
IMHO, ALL dogs must go to heaven, simply because they are all free of sin. You have to be human (or of some species on another planet that has a human-like soul) to sin. Dogs (and other animals) do not sin. They may do things which we have been commanded not to do, but God has not told them that these acts are wrong. Accordingly, when dogs do such things, they are not acting counter to the preferences of God, nor are they being tempted by Satan. It is due to their sinless nature that dogs do not need to be saved by Christ. As for us humans, I don't know about any of you, but I am fully confident of where I am going after this life. My faith in the Lord is such that that I 'feel' his presence, sense his forgiveness (when I ask for it), and know that if I let him, he will ALWAYS be with me. Without being blasphemous, I would even suggest to you that the love of a cherished pet has some real similarities to the love of Christ. Like Jesus, my pet ALWAYS welcomes my love, returns it fully, forgives me freely when I make him less than happy (example - when he has to stay confined when I leave for an extended period), and understands me evn when he cannot respond with spoken words. Yes, I am an animal lover, and yes I am definitely a lover of the Lord. I wish others could also know the love I receive, constantly, from both the Lord and one of his wonderful creatures. God bless you all, Scott