Cat Faith (Updated from 1/13/2015)

Witness the complete confidence of a cat.

Witness the complete confidence of a cat. The ability to, nonchalantly, mount a rounded metal railing, ten stories above the ground, and "walk the walk."  The cat is focused on the photographer. This would be when the fire engine goes by on the street below, siren wailing. The camera pans to the engine below, then back to the cat. Imagine that I'm now standing behind the cat. I love sirens.

I have taken the opportunity that the siren has provided me and used it to my advantage. I am about to prove why man is the dominant species, top of the food chain, numero uno, and cats are lousy multi-taskers. That's right; as soon as the siren stops, I'm going to lean in and let out a loud raspberry behind the cat. That'll shake up the cat's old confidence level a tad. Cat'll be shaking for a good hour. Some touch-up paint will probably be required, to hide the claw marks that the cat will etch into the steel as it tries not to plunge to its death on the concrete below. Do cats really land on their feet? I think it depends on the height and the landing surface. At this height, however, the answer might be a moot point.

But, that's this is the confidence of a cat.  Cat "faith," if you will.

I always hear of stories where cats fall from great heights and land on their feet.  I always wondered what the cat thought after it hit.  "Wow!  That was really stupid!"  "Wow!  That really freakin' hurt!"  "Wow!  Didn't think it looked that high!"  "Wow!  Stupid dog!  You die tonight!"  "Wow!  Scared the poop outta me, stupid human!  Vee av vays of making you pay... soon, but not tonight."

Would I really raspberry this cat?  Oh hell yes!  That's the little devil in me.  But, I love animals and I certainly wouldn't do it to a cat on a tenth-floor balcony railing, nor on anything that may require work on my part to repair.  And, then, one has to consider the whole "nine lives" thing.  I think it's a floor for each of the cat's nine lives, so the tenth... well, I would never forgive myself.  

The cat is going to exact revenge on me sooner or later as it is, at least my cat would.  That would be when I wake up, at oh-dark-thirty, with tabby on my chest, watching me while I sleep and thinking at me, "No. No, not tonight... but, soon."  And it creeps me out, so badly, I can't go back to sleep.  I end up playing Freecell until 5:00 in the morning when I finally give up on any thought of sleep and go make coffee.  Yeah, cat revenge is insidious.

The faith of a cat is similar to what God expects... of the faith of man.  Have faith that, no matter what happens in life, I've been given the tools that will enable me to rise above the issues and carry on.  It may shake me up for a bit, and rattle my confidence, but we have been given a gift that allows us to rise up and forge ahead.  We have been endowed with superior knowledge, so when a moron sneaks up and scares the devil out of you, you know what you have to do with that tube of superglue in the desk.  Maybe not tonight, but... soon. 

Okay, maybe that isn't why God gave you the ability to learn and gather knowledge.  But you have what no other animal can comprehend - faith in God. Right?  Right?

An elephant will return to the site, where another elephant died, and mourn.  A monkey will adopt an orphaned young monkey and mourn the death of another.  A pig will act as the eyes for a blind horse without prodding.  A lion will adopt the motherless lamb as a sibling, and other more amazing stories abound.  And we are left with a theory of "self-awareness" in animals, the concept of "feeling of mind," which many scientists think needs to exist to have a concept of God.  Animals with a concept of God?  Animals with a faith in a God?

Maybe I'll leave the cat alone.

"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy."

-- William Shakespeare, "Hamlet," Act 1: Scene 5

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch - it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either view any more right or wrong than the other. Opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form their own opinions, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider an alternate viewpoint.

I fervently hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning those opinions offered. After twenty-three years of military intelligence, I believe that engaging each other in this manner, and in this arena, is a way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience... and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. Following his service career, he spent 17 years working with the premier and world-renowned Western Institutional Review Board, helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. He also served 8 years on the Board of Directors for the Angela J. Bowen Foundation.

Ordained in 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As a weapon for his war on intolerance, he chose the pen. He wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's personal, spiritual path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteered as the lead chaplain at a regional medical center.

Feel free to contact Pastor Tony at: tolerantpastor@gmail.com