Not Just St. Francis: Churches Show A Love of Animals

[rug]

By MARK OPPENHEIMER
Published: October 14, 2011

As a boy in San Antonio, Paul Flotron helped his family raise miniature schnauzers. He was there for the dogs’ births, and his family showed the dogs at competitions all over Texas. When he was 10, his family moved to St. Louis, where he accumulated “the Flotron Miniature Zoo,” including “dwarf crocodiles, African pancake tortoises, birds, boa constrictors, hermit crabs, fish, and always dogs.”

Today, Mr. Flotron runs Creature Comforts Great and Small, a St. Louis pet-care business, and leads Noah’s Ark, a pet ministry of Grace Church, a large nondenominational Protestant congregation. Noah’s Ark runs a pet-food drive, supports a no-kill rescue, brings pets to visit the sick and infirm, and hosts a grief group for those who have lost a pet.

“We actually have Bible study and discuss passages that are animal related,” Mr. Flotron said. “We make that our foundation.”

In a culture obsessed with dogs, dog whisperers and domestic pets of all kinds, religious groups are paying attention, too. Many megachurches, where members often meet in smaller affinity groups, are sponsoring groups for pet lovers. In 2007, the Humane Society hired a liaison to religious communities, and next month its Web site will start a directory of affiliated ministries. In seminaries and divinity schools, the study of animals and religion is growing.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/15/us/pet-ministries-are-growing-in-churches.html

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[xchrom]

2. I love the St Francis celebration. Nt

[hlthe2b]

3. Actually, I've attended a couple "blessing of the pets" services...

one at a very large humane society, conducted by a very liberal protestant minister and the other at a small episcopal church. While the first was clearly non-denominational (and almost secular), the second was likewise really lacking in any overtly evangelical kind of elements.

As far as I'm concerned anything that brings comfort and reinforces the very special loving relationship between animals and humans, can not be a bad thing and as religious figures go, one can do a whole lot worst than the example of St. Francis, the inspiration for these ceremonies.

I noted a lot of people that had recently lost pets appearing to get a lot of comfort--as well as many seemingly lonely individuals who sans pets, attended just for the social (and animal) interaction. I know the cynics here will mock the whole concept, but I found it to be very heart-warming.

[emilyg]

4. +1

[WolverineDG]

5. Nice to know!

As Will Rodgers said, If my dog can't go to Heaven, then I want to go where he does.

dg

[laconicsax]

6. Seems that not all Christians believe that dogs go to Heaven

http://www.godandscience.org/doctrine/pets_in_heaven.html

[hlthe2b]

7. Does it surprise you (that not all Christians believe the same things?)

You seem to think all Christians believe in the same things--as though there were no differences between denominations and between individuals. I find that amazing. :shrug:

[laconicsax]

8. It doesn't surprise me at all.

I'm not sure where you got all that straw, but the finished product doesn't resemble anything I've said.

[hlthe2b]

9. Perhaps you could explain what point you were trying to make?

You posted an article that stated not all Christians believe dogs go to heaven. At least in my circles-- (mostly liberal/progressive Christian and agnostic or atheists) recognize how very different the fundamentalist evangelical denominations are about this kind of thing. So, obviously, I wondered if it was news to you?

[laconicsax]

10. Read the post I replied to and drop your assumptions. n/t