It seems that this pope likes to say things largely without thinking--especially without thinking about traditional church or Biblical teachings on any particular topic.

I think he KNOWS deep down that his statement really has no Biblical basis--he just wanted to make someone feel good at the moment. I think a lot of Catholic Cardinals are having buyer's remorse at the moment.

flan327 wrote:

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huskerbb wrote:

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It seems that this pope likes to say things largely without thinking--especially without thinking about traditional church or Biblical teachings on any particular topic.

I think he KNOWS deep down that his statement really has no Biblical basis--he just wanted to make someone feel good at the moment. I think a lot of Catholic Cardinals are having buyer's remorse at the moment.

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 Hopefully not. He's human & I love that!

flan

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But being "human" doesn't mean you get to make up crap on the spot and promulgate it as church doctrine.   

JPT wrote:

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Life is so short, and happiness is so in diminshed in supply sometimes...what is the harm in allowing people to have the comfort of believing their beloved pets will be with them in the afterlife....

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I don't care what people want to believe--just don't say something is supported by the Bible when it is not.   

Also, I don't think that church leaders can, or should, generally be in the business of telling people what they want to hear just to make them feel better.

Where does it end?

What people really want to hear is that their beliefs and actions don't matter. As long as they aren't a serial killer or a pedophile, they will go to heaven. They can believe what they want and do mostly what they want.

That's what people want to hear--but if a church leader is going to promulgate that, then what is the point of religion?

lilyofcourse wrote:

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God made the creatures. Why would he not want them in heaven with Him?

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 I am officially agreeing with LILY.

flan

huskerbb wrote:

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flan327 wrote:

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huskerbb wrote:

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It seems that this pope likes to say things largely without thinking--especially without thinking about traditional church or Biblical teachings on any particular topic.

I think he KNOWS deep down that his statement really has no Biblical basis--he just wanted to make someone feel good at the moment. I think a lot of Catholic Cardinals are having buyer's remorse at the moment.

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 Hopefully not. He's human & I love that!

flan

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But being "human" doesn't mean you get to make up crap on the spot and promulgate it as church doctrine.   

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 husker, I would venture to say that he is VERY aware of his position, but also aware of the fact that many Catholics have left the Church because of its rigid stance. Tradition is important, but if ANY institution is not willing to change, they eventually suffer.

Believe it or not, I have a cousin who is a Priest. I rarely talk to him, but would love his opinion on this Pope.

flan

I don't know. I don't really get why this is such a burning question. Maybe we don't KNOW what happens to dogs or any other creatures. The Bible pretty much only deals with the fate of man. But, I would assume that God made the animals and pronounced it "GOOD" so that is part of HIS plan. But, neither am I going to pretend the Bible has some obvious position on it because I don't know. But, I don't see any reason why dogs would not go to Heaven? They are not capable of sin so they don't need to be redeemed to be in the presence of God so I think it very likely that dogs are there.

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:

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I don't know. I don't really get why this is such a burning question. Maybe we don't KNOW what happens to dogs or any other creatures. The Bible pretty much only deals with the fate of man. But, I would assume that God made the animals and pronounced it "GOOD" so that is part of HIS plan. But, neither am I going to pretend the Bible has some obvious position on it because I don't know. But, I don't see any reason why dogs would not go to Heaven? They are not capable of sin so they don't need to be redeemed to be in the presence of God so I think it very likely that dogs are there.

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 I think, for Catholics, going to Heaven depends on having a soul.

flan

flan327 wrote:

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huskerbb wrote:

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flan327 wrote:

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huskerbb wrote:

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It seems that this pope likes to say things largely without thinking--especially without thinking about traditional church or Biblical teachings on any particular topic.

I think he KNOWS deep down that his statement really has no Biblical basis--he just wanted to make someone feel good at the moment. I think a lot of Catholic Cardinals are having buyer's remorse at the moment.

---

 Hopefully not. He's human & I love that!

flan

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But being "human" doesn't mean you get to make up crap on the spot and promulgate it as church doctrine.   

---

 husker, I would venture to say that he is VERY aware of his position, but also aware of the fact that many Catholics have left the Church because of its rigid stance. Tradition is important, but if ANY institution is not willing to change, they eventually suffer.

Believe it or not, I have a cousin who is a Priest. I rarely talk to him, but would love his opinion on this Pope.

flan

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I HIGHLY doubt anyone has left the church because they haven't before taken a position on whether Fido can go to heaven.   

huskerbb wrote:

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flan327 wrote:

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huskerbb wrote:

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flan327 wrote:

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huskerbb wrote:

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It seems that this pope likes to say things largely without thinking--especially without thinking about traditional church or Biblical teachings on any particular topic.

I think he KNOWS deep down that his statement really has no Biblical basis--he just wanted to make someone feel good at the moment. I think a lot of Catholic Cardinals are having buyer's remorse at the moment.

---

 Hopefully not. He's human & I love that!

flan

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But being "human" doesn't mean you get to make up crap on the spot and promulgate it as church doctrine.   

---

 husker, I would venture to say that he is VERY aware of his position, but also aware of the fact that many Catholics have left the Church because of its rigid stance. Tradition is important, but if ANY institution is not willing to change, they eventually suffer.

Believe it or not, I have a cousin who is a Priest. I rarely talk to him, but would love his opinion on this Pope.

flan

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I HIGHLY doubt anyone has left the church because they haven't before taken a position on whether Fido can go to heaven.   

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Oh, I don't know husker.  People can find all kinds of reasons.  I wouldn't be surprised. 

Well, this begs the question - if dogs go to heaven b/c it wouldn't be heaven for those who love dogs - what about those who don't love dogs? How would that be heaven for them?


The Bible doesn't tell us, so we'll just have to wait and see.

Well, there is that. LOL.

I've never really thought that the Catholic stance that animals don't have souls made any sense. Of course they have souls. They also have free will, morals and know the difference between right and wrong. They can intuitively tell an evil human from a good one and will often take action against the evil human.

This stance has always been a huge red flag for me with Catholicism.

Heaven is light and love (at least that's how I see it). All of those we love are there waiting for us. Whether the Bible says so or not I believe that they are ALL waiting for me. My grandparents, my aunt, my brother and sister, my dad, and all those pets that loved me like I loved them.

I really don't have some burning fervor over it. If we are in Heaven then God makes all things right. I am assuming there are basketball courts there as well lol.

And cheesecake!!

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:

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Tignanello wrote:

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I've never really thought that the Catholic stance that animals don't have souls made any sense. Of course they have souls. They also have free will, morals and know the difference between right and wrong. They can intuitively tell an evil human from a good one and will often take action against the evil human.

This stance has always been a huge red flag for me with Catholicism.

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Animals have free will and morals?  What doctrine is that from? 

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 No doctrine.  *shrug* Because I don't want to debate theological theory.  However, I do have lots of life experience.  Try telling me that a dog doesn't have free will.  Seriously?  And that they don't know good from bad.  Perhaps the Catholic doctrine is wrong.  The Pope seems to think so.....

Mellow Momma wrote:

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lilyofcourse wrote:

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And I am sure there will be a fountain of coca cola too.

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 And lots of frosty mugs to drink it in!!

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Yeehaw!!!

 

huskerbb wrote:

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Tignanello wrote:

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I've never really thought that the Catholic stance that animals don't have souls made any sense. Of course they have souls. They also have free will, morals and know the difference between right and wrong. They can intuitively tell an evil human from a good one and will often take action against the evil human.

This stance has always been a huge red flag for me with Catholicism.

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 Religion or no--that's just silly.

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 *shrug*

If dogs have free will and morals, then they can choose to act immorally. If that is the case, then an immoral action by a dog would require some penance or forgiveness of sins committed. Seems an odd concept to me as I know very few people, philosophers or theologians who would say that dogs have free will and the ability to act in a moral/non moral way.

How do you animals were never "meant as pets'? I think God obviously put the very characteristics in dogs that make them great companions. You can't domesticate other wild animals as pets the way you do dogs. I think God absolutely intended them to be companions.

Because they have characteristics that allow them to be.

Biting a child? Beats me? If that is the case then, we really cannot hold owners accountable for their pets who bite someone or inflict damage because the devil made them do it.

Or, your leg.