Dog Day Afternoon

Yesterday as news choppers circled overhead of our little town of Chesterfield many of us were wondering what was going on. Had a prisoner escaped? A tragic wreck on a local road? A fire? What had happened is the local animal control center had put to death in a very disturbing way over 20 dogs and had dumped them at the local landfill. This was certainly an unfortunate incident that should have been handled far better. Their is much outrage in our small town. This was a main story on the Charlotte news broadcasts Friday evening. Their is no defense of what happened. But a little perspective is required.

The late baptist preacher R.G. Lee once said this; "One day Christians will be more affected by the death of a dog that is run over than by the death of Christ on the cross." Now I state very clearly here I believe the mistreatment of animals is evil. Me and my wife have 5 pets, 3 dogs and 2 cats, and they are valued and loved parts of our lives. They bring us much joy. I do not say this in a condescending manner, but this is the truth. They are just animals. This does not mean that the death of one is not felt. It does not mean we cannot have strong affection for them. They are most definitely part of God's creation and deserving of our respect and kindness. But it is man who was made in God's image, not nature. However, is our outrage at the mistreatment and cruel death of animals more important than our regard for human life?

Since 1973 nearly 60 million unborn babies have had their lives terminated by abortion. This shelter that put to death these dogs is county government operated and funded. But every day our nations government funds the abortion of thousands of unborn babies and hardly a peep is heard anymore. After 37 years of the massacre of the unborn, apparently we have become numb to the destruction of lives the bible says are known by God, formed by God, and in the image of God.

A friend on Facebook rightly said while tragic, the death of these animals is not the Holocaust. It is not genocide like we are seeing in Africa, and have seen repeatedly across the world throughout history. It is not terrorism. It is not mass murder. It is evil, but how much more so is the unrighteous death of the one's Christ died for, mankind?

At our courthouse today many are gathered to show there anger and to protest the death of these innocent animals. I have absolutely no problem with this. But my prayer is that one day, among the Christians that are in this nation, we will truly unite and say enough is enough when it comes to the unrighteous death of the unborn. I can without hesitation say I love my pets. But the bible says I am to love God and my neighbors more, with all of my heart. While I was "still a sinner," Christ died for me.

Have we reached the point where we regard "creation" more than the "creator?" This does not mean we cannot be upset at the cruel treatment of animals. But when will we regard each other more? I hope the guilty are identified and equitable punishment is handed out regarding the death of these dogs. But I pray, one day, our nation that was founded upon the principles of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" will recognize these rights have been denied to the unborn for nearly 4 decades now. This will only happen when our view of Christ on the cross is more important than anything else.