Tales & Tails of New York

I am not a particularly "religious" person.

Though sent to Catholic school as a child, I kind of "lost faith" when one of the nuns  told us animals didn't go to heaven.  ("no souls," you know).

It was a defining moment.

Maybe I figured under those circumstances, "heaven" wasn't a place I wanted to go.

As Billy Joel sang, "I'd rather play with the sinners, than pray with the saints."

A lot of wisdom in those words, me thinks.

Religion of course, is very much "in vogue" these days.

"Religious" movies score big in the box office.  There is "Christian music," fights about "Christmas vs. Holiday Trees," scorn of birth control, rejection of the notion that humans evolved from apes and a "Born Again" Christian President who likes to start wars and spy on people.  (Should I be scared that King George might be spying on my blog?)

I could, after all, be an "Animal Rights Terrorist."

Animals don't go to heaven.

Only those proclaiming to "love Jesus" do.

But for all this talk about "loving Jesus" and being a good "Christian country," I don't really sense Christ's role model being followed all that much -- especially by the leadership of this country.

Wasn't it Jesus who said, "The meek shall inherit the earth?"

Where does that leave America and George Bush?

"Meek?" --  I don't think so.

Rather, "might makes right."

"Might makes right" certainly defines human relationship with animals.

Whatever we can do to animals, we do, simply because we can.

We kill animals for meat, fur, "sport," experimentation, "art and entertainment," and convenience.

Jesus must be so proud.

Of course, what I wonder is, how does anyone really know who or what is in heaven?

Some men think that heaven (or paradise) is comprised of 72 virgins.

Some people think they will see their dearly departed in heaven.

It will finally be chance to tell all those you treated like crap in this life, how much you really loved them, despite calling them names and wishing them to drop dead.

But, what if you really didn't love or even like your ol' man or your mother?

What if one or both were never around in this life or ever said, "Happy Birthday?"

Should we really be forced to see them in heaven?

All I could think to say is, "What a drag to see you."

What if heaven really isn't reunion with our "dearly departed loved ones?"

Or "72 virgins?"

What if Jesus is sitting there with lambs and cows around Him and you suddenly remember that your last meal was a lamb chop or McDonald's hamburger?

Wow, scary thought.

But, then, not to worry.

"Animals don't go to heaven."

Only war-mongering "Born Again" Christians or suicide bombers do.

Or, those who go to confession before the Grim Reaper strikes and remember to say, "I love Jesus."

I am sure that like the perennial "Atheist in a foxhole," I will say some kind of prayer before the final curtain falls.

"Please, Jesus, forgive me for my multitude of sins and take me to that big playground in the sky where the heathens and animals play."

Billy Joel, move over.

                **********

We kill animals not because we have to, but because (for whatever rationalization) we want to.

"Might makes right."

"Animals have no souls."

Or so, we like to tell ourselves.

                            **********

|  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this