Researchers from Trinity College Dublin have done a study at Dublin's Beaumont Hospital which was meant to look into how people cope with bereavement but provided an interesting bit of information: pets apparently rank ahead of priests when people need someone to turn to in times of grief. I wonder if this is a new development or if this has always been the case?
The survey found that a third of people mourning a loved one turned to their family, with a quarter relying friends and one in five getting support from children.
Lower down the list, pets ranked ahead of priests and spiritual advisers, books, films and professionals.
Source: Lancashire Evening Post
Solace in the face of death is supposed to be one of the things which religion provides so well and which people are supposed to find attractive about religion, even if they do doubt it otherwise. This study, though, would suggest that people don't find quite so much comfort in religion after all — or at least not iin organized religion and its official representatives. It's possible that this is just a function of Irish people's relationship to the Irish Catholic Church, but there might also be more going on as well. Do you have any experiences which would shed light on this?
Our wonderful pets…cats, dogs, birds, guinea pigs, what have you…love us unreservedly and are sensitive to our moods and needs. They don’t care what our sexuality is, they don’t demand that we put money into their coffers, they don’t judge us or call us sinners, they don’t try to force anything upon us. I would rather turn to a pet for comfort, as it accepts me with its whole heart, as I am. Many priests, and other “representatives” of the various religions that plague us, give comfort only with big strings attached. Small wonder, since it is their job to enforce conformity to dark age rules based in myth and supertition…not give us unconditional love.
My two little bunnies demand banana treats in exchange for love.
“Dog is my Pilot!” Dave the Wave is correct. Amen
first thing I thought when I read the header of this article was: “At least you can have your pet neutered without any fuss.”
After a half day of reading some of the most depressing news of religious whackery, I read your comment, Seeker.
You just made my day. Thanks for the giggle!
My cats have never lied to me.
A dog can learn to quit dry-humping your leg.