By Lynette Suazo
Jerry Mosely and Tracie Russell have two very different ideas on how God views animals. Mosely, a student at Gordon College in Wenham, feels that those who pray for animals or "give them more attention than they deserve" are being deterred from their true purpose of being "fishers of men."
Russell, on the other hand, considers herself an animal protection advocate and believes that although humans are more important to God than animals, God still loves animals very much.
"God probably created animals for his own enjoyment and delight. This is why he made everything," said Russell. "God said to love him with all your heart and to love your neighbor. If you treat other humans as you treat yourself, why not animals?"
Russell started the Animal Healing Project, a non-denominational Christian ministry to support animals. The program is broken down into four parts: healing prayer, veterinary hospice, loss and grief support and plant-based diet.
Mosely, who said he is "vaguely familiar" with the project, questions why people put so much effort into protecting and healing animals when "there are many people who are suffering too."
"When Jesus was on earth, he did not heal animals, he healed people and that is what he has called us to do as his disciples," argued Mosely. "Now I have not said that animals are not important to God and that they do not deserve medical attention when needed, but why have such a strong focus on them when your fellow man needs you?" He added, "Those are the souls we were called to bring to Jesus. This is why I do not agree with the idea of a blessing of the animals."
Robert Greiner, administrative staff at the Episcopal diocese, agreed with Russell that "all things are important to God period because he created them." Greiner noted that the Episcopal Church recognizes God has made humans the "stewards of creation."
"The 'Blessing of the Animals' ceremony is a celebration of the position God has put us in as stewards of creation. A lot of people care about their pets and we respect that. Having the event makes them happy," Greiner said.
Jillian De La Cruz, a parishioner at St. Augustine's Episcopal Church in Lawrence, defended the ceremony and said that the service is not a distraction because it takes place only once a year.
"It is not like we spend all of our time ministering to animals. I have actually ministered to people in juvenile centers on behalf of the church. We are very involved in the community," said De La Cruz.
Rev. Rachel Bickford, of Pilgrim Congregation Church in Weymouth, also involves animals in the church. In October of 2008, Bickford started Woof and Worship, an evening church service where her parishioners and people in the community bring their dogs to church.
"It was just something fun to do. A lot of my members have dogs and it was a great idea to get them excited about church," said Bickford. "It's not like I do bark mitzvahs or animal weddings. There are people out there who think I do, and that is not true. I have this event because it is something fun."
Mosely finds humor in such services. Although Mosely does have a dog, he said there is no need for his dog to go to church.
"It is funny how some people think that heaven will be a zoo. Only those who live right and are saved will go to heaven. How can an animal repent of their sins and go to heaven? And if he can't repent, then why should my dog go to church?" asked Mosely.
Greiner said he does not know whether animals will be in heaven or not but also said he doesn't see the harm in having dogs or cats in heaven. Russell, on the other hand, has a more detailed view of what heaven could be.
"Heaven is supposed to be paradise. How can it be paradise if the people you love aren't there? I personally love my animals," said Russell, who has four cats. "I couldn't imagine heaven without animals. If God made animals, why wouldn't he want them in heaven?"
Although De La Cruz believes that animals will not be judged in heaven as humans are, she also does not understand why animals would not be allowed in heaven.
"I wouldn't mind sharing heaven with animals and I don't think God would exclude them. I will be so happy when I get to heaven that I will probably not notice if animals are there or not," De La Cruz joked.
Both Mosely and Russell do agree on one thing: What will be in heaven does not matter as much as what one does while on earth.
Mosely believes that God told his disciples to preach the gospel and save souls. Mosely argued that Jesus was not crucified to save animals.
"I need help saving souls and preaching the gospel. If people would stop their focus on animals, maybe there would be more people mending the brokenhearted, helping the homeless and feeding the hungry," Mosely said.
Russell said she feels as if she is already following her calling by protecting animals, praying for them and being a vegan. She said that the best way for people to help animals "is to do it with their forks" by either becoming vegan or cutting down on their meat consumption.
"In the end we will have to answer for how we treat each other and animals. We can all think what we want but no one will know what God wanted us to do until we die," said Russell.
Kudos to you! I hadn't thuhogt of that!