Don's animal rites
A MANSFIELD DON, who believes that animals go to Heaven when they die, has produced the first prayer book for pets writes Jonathan Tseng.
The Rev Andrew Linzey, holder of the world's first post in theology and animal welfare, has written a book entitled Animal Rites, which contains prayers for animal burials, services to celebrate animal friendships and healing liturgies.
Professor Linzey said that, "This book is to the best of my knowledge the first of its kind in the world... Almost nowhere in the common prayers and liturgies of the Christian Church do we find prayers for non-human creatures."
The Professor, whose first book, Animal Rights, became an early bible for the animal liberation movement, has often had to endure mockery because of his opinions. Despite this he has maintained his concern for animals, dedicating his new book to 'Barney, still wagging his tail in heaven.' He says that his concern for animals comes from his belief in a creator. "Certainly, I believe that there will be animals in Heaven," he insists, "God will redeem what God has created. The idea that God loves, cares for and will only redeem the human species I find absurd."