Letters to the Editor
The Facts on V
A recent letter in the Union Democrat from a Pat Kelley indicated that education was needed before a yes or no decision could be made on Measure V – a replacement for the current parcel tax and benefit assessment tax with a $90 per year increase for everyone except a vacant lot where the increase is $20. This increase is needed by Mi-Wuk Sugar Pine Fire Protection District if it is to continue as a staffed fire station.
I don’t know Mr. Kelley, however if he is a registered voter of Tuolumne County then he was mailed a facts brochure outlining the need for the increase and the basic mundane facts he refers to in his letter. It was six pages of explanation along with six exhibits to help the public understand why the need. I realize that is long for some people, but was necessary if all the facts were to be disclosed. This method was chosen as we don’t have the people to go door to door. If you haven’t read it please take the time now. There were also two town hall type meetings. I will admit that I was disappointed as very few of the people against Measure V showed up. You can’t educate people if they don’t show up.
It comes down to a simple question – do you want a paid staff or all volunteers? Effectively we have two volunteers, neither of whom lives in our area. The benefit assessment was passed so that we could have a fire station with paid staff. Do you want help within 3-6 minutes or 12 or more minutes?
Anyone with questions is welcome to call me. My number is listed in the phonebook and in the brochure. – Chuck Wagner, Mi-Wuk Village.
A Look Into the Soul
Betty Ambrosino of Twain Harte took Pastor Craig to task when he said that animals do not go to heaven when they die because they do not have eternal souls (Oct 3, 2008).
Pastor Craig was simply stating what all Christianity teaches concerning the immortality of the soul.
All living things have souls. There are three classes of souls: vegetative, animal, and rational. The souls of vegetables and animals are incomplete – when they die, the soul dies. Only man has a complete and immortal soul, which is capable of gaining heaven.
What is the difference between the soul of an animal and the soul of a human being? First, we must address the question, “What is the soul?”
The soul is the life principle. It is a spiritual entity that moves of its own volition – being independent of external forces.
It is a simple substance; having no parts, it is not subject to decomposition, disintegration or dissolution from within. It is an immaterial, indivisible, indestructible unit, incapable of extinction, therefore immortal. It is the conscious art principle, created by God, not born of man.
Man is capable of making a moral decision, while an animal is not. The animal differs radically from a human being. Humans are capable of building or creating with the substances God has given him to work with, all the while hoping for immortality. Animal acts are reflexive, such as breathing, eating, sleeping, and waking.
The soul of man thinks; the soul of the animal does not, although under the guidance of man, an animal can be taught to do many things.
The soul of man is intellectual, it can reflect, reason, and hope. The soul of an animal is sensitive, it does what its nature compels it to do; it is mortal. The soul of man comes from God to return to God. The soul of an animal is generated from its parents, and returns with its body to the earth.
As for such “higher animals” – the ape, gorilla, orangutan, and the monkey, they are the same as any other animal. They live and act today the same as they did when God created them. On the other hand, man builds, lives, and adjusts himself to his changing environments progressively. By the use of his art principle, he discovers new forces of nature, and new means of using the things over which God has given him dominion. Only man can create a symphony.
While animals can bring comfort and joy to their owners while on earth, the soul in heaven will have no need of such things. Carried to the extreme, if dogs and cats can enter heaven, conceivably so might flies, gnats, and mosquitoes. Perhaps only animals that experienced love from a human should be allowed to enter heaven? Where do we draw the line?
Fortunately, God decided for us. Heaven is reserved for the righteous human soul, not for every plant and animal. – S. Ignatius, Angels Camp
