In Japan, Conan, a male chihuahua, has been imitating Buddhist priest Joei Yoshikuni in the prayer stance.

Since Conan started doing this, the number of visitors to the temple has increased 30%.
“He may be showing his thanks for treats and walks,” speculated one priest at the Jigenin temple on Okinawa island.
Priest Joel Yoshikuni said it took Conan just a few days to master the appearance of prayer. “I think he saw me doing it all the time and got the idea to do it, too,” he said.
Hmm… let me get this straight. The dog started praying, not because he had put any real thought into it, but because he saw someone else doing it?
Thank goodness that never happens in other churches…
(Thanks to Becky for the link!)
[tags]atheist, atheism[/tags]