Canine Theology

I seem to be especially appreciative of laughter this month, maybe because we have been discussing the sometimes challenging topic of forgiveness. So here is a little Sunday levity. Two churches face each other across the street in a small, Southern town. Here is a series of messages on their signs out front.

Catholic church – ALL DOGS GO TO HEAVEN

Presbyterian church – DOGS DON’T HAVE SOULS READ THE BIBLE

Catholic church – GOD LOVES ALL HIS CREATIONS DOGS INCLUDED

Presbyterian church – DOGS DON’T HAVE SOULS THIS IS NOT OPEN FOR DEBATE

Catholic church – CATHOLIC DOGS GO TO HEAVEN PRESBYTERIAN DOGS CAN TALK TO THEIR PASTOR

Presbyterian church – CONVERTING TO CATHOLOCISM [sic] DOES NOT MAGICALLY GRANT YOUR DOG A SOUL

Catholic church – FREE DOG SOULS WITH CONVERSION

Presbyterian church – DOGS ARE ANIMALS THERE AREN’T ANY ROCKS IN HEAVEN EITHER

Catholic church – ALL ROCKS GO TO HEAVEN

This battle of the signs reminds me of the story about the man and his dog who went to heaven. When they got to the pearly gates, the man started to walk inside but the guard at the gate said his dog couldn’t come in. The man looked wistfully past the gate at what appeared to be paradise and turned and walked away. Down the road, he saw a run down looking farm. The farmer sitting at the gate invited the man in. What about my dog, the man asked. The farmer told him that dogs were welcome. The man asked where he was. Why, heaven, replied the farmer. So what was that fancy place up the road, the man asked. Oh, that’s hell, said the farmer.