Originally Posted by Mike D

I wasn't commenting so much on your position, more so on the fact that you injected your opinion into the thread knowing AkTALLPAUL seems to love the sport of dog sledding and the people and animals tied to it.

You came across as very callous. I figured a smart man like yourself would understand your comments might be hurtful to Paul.

For the record, I love my dog and would do about anything to save him, within reason. I would seek the guidance of someone more intelligent than myself on the subject matter to properly make the decision at hand.

Originally Posted by HOHN

See, that's where we'll part ways of thinking.

I happen to believe very firmly that human life is uniquely special. The Bible says that human beings are made in the image of God-- no other animals are.

Humans aren't just another animal. We have souls and spirits that animals do not have. We can reason and philosophize-- other animals cannot. There is no debate about morals in the animal kingdom--- animals do whatever their instincts tell them to do-- whether that's kill or eat or mate or what have you.

I'd give my life for another human being-- that life is unique to me. But I won't even blink to put down a pet or kill a deer or an elk or whatever, and I'd NEVER sacrifice a human for an animal.

We aren't simply at the top of the food chain-- we are unique.

This used to be unequivocally agreed upon, but since Evolution took hold, the belief that we are just more highly evolved animal set in and people lost hold of the truth of human uniqueness.

The bond the people have with animals is mostly in our minds-- not in the pet's mind. To establish this fact, just look at a typical pounds dog. You can have a good relationship with a pound dog, and that dog will scarcely remember its previous family given enough time and attention from the new family. So the majority of the pet bond is because we ascribe to animals thoughts and feelings that they themselves may not possess.

If a person honestly believes that a dog is the same as a Chicago Cubs player in worth, then I submit that person is should look closer at baseball because they're already out in left field..

I understand my views on this aren't popular, but I'm not expecting them to be and I'm not trying to win someone to my perspective.

My views in this area are also never going to change because it's based on timeless truth. Humans are humans, and animals are animals and that won't change.

jh

Originally Posted by Totallyrad

You might do just a little more research into what the bible says concerning animals. I don't know of any provision for animals to be present in Heaven via their soul departing the earth but they have long been held to have a spirit and received the same breath of life as did man. There are many of us that would sacrifice allot for our pets as we consider them part of our family. While I agree in part, they do rely on their instincts for survival, they were provided with these because they cannot communicate as we do. They can however, also learn from, care for and interact with us. They love unconditionally and develop loyalties and trust just as old friends do. They grieve the loss of a sibling or friend and we grieve their passing.

Originally Posted by Totallyrad

You might do just a little more research into what the bible says concerning animals. I don't know of any provision for animals to be present in Heaven via their soul departing the earth but they have long been held to have a spirit and received the same breath of life as did man.