Do Animals Go To Heaven?

[kooldood]

What I am seeking is proof for or against this possiblity.

The most common proof I have seen at CAF for this is that I cannot be perfectly happy without my pet, and if my pet doesn’t go to heaven, then heaven won’t really be heaven. Though I can relate to this, as I have a dearly loved dog myself, the proof doesn’t really work out because humans are even more important to me, and if a friend goes to hell, does that mean that heaven won’t be heaven? Or does it mean that the friend will be spared from hell in order to make me happy? What it looks like to me is that in heaven we will have a happiness that is completely different from anything we have experienced, which is at the same time perfect and, to an earthly person, unsatisfying.

An analogy from my high school textbook for the happiness of heaven is, when a young man and a young woman fall in love, they want to spend every moment together, and this brings them much happiness. Their little brothers and sisters don’t understand why they would rather be in a boring place, but together, rather than eating ice cream or going to the arcade. Yet, when they are old enough, they will understand. The same goes for heaven.

So unless you can disprove my theory, please do not come up with that. Thanks to all in advance!

 

[JBCatholicRN]

I think my lab Gabe will be in heaven with my family. Why not? God created him. I can see love in his eyes and from what I understand, Christ is love.

 

[Art321]

What I am seeking is proof for or against this possiblity.

The most common proof I have seen at CAF for this is that I cannot be perfectly happy without my pet, and if my pet doesn’t go to heaven, then heaven won’t really be heaven. Though I can relate to this, as I have a dearly loved dog myself, the proof doesn’t really work out because humans are even more important to me, and if a friend goes to hell, does that mean that heaven won’t be heaven? Or does it mean that the friend will be spared from hell in order to make me happy? What it looks like to me is that in heaven we will have a happiness that is completely different from anything we have experienced, which is at the same time perfect and, to an earthly person, unsatisfying.

An analogy from my high school textbook for the happiness of heaven is, when a young man and a young woman fall in love, they want to spend every moment together, and this brings them much happiness. Their little brothers and sisters don’t understand why they would rather be in a boring place, but together, rather than eating ice cream or going to the arcade. Yet, when they are old enough, they will understand. The same goes for heaven.

So unless you can disprove my theory, please do not come up with that. Thanks to all in advance!

Hey Kooldood, maybe this will help.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=131534

 

[bpbasilphx]

If God Himself is not sufficient to make you happy in heaven, I doubt you will be there, dog or no dog.

However, I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to express my opinion on this matter. Keep in mind it’s only an OPINION, and no more. If it’s shown to be false, then I will withdraw it.

The Bible says, “We love, because God first loved us.”

As God loves us, and we respond to His love, we not only become more able to love others, but we become more like God–and more like our real selves.

As we love our pets (in my case, two very affectionate cats), they respond to our love–and in the process become more THEMselves.

Because of our union of God through love, we are brought into His Eternal Kingdom (which really starts right now).

Maybe (again: maybe) because of our pets’ love for us they, too, come to a place in the Eternal Kingdom with us.

I offer this only as an opinion, no more.

One of the Apologists, writing on this very subject, has opined that in the world to come, God might restore our pets as His gift of love to us, which is basically the same thing.

 

[EverestFox]

I always feel sorrow for those who say “I won’t be happy without my pet in Heaven!” To me, they are saying “I don’t need God, I need my pet.”

I know many of you mean well towards God, but I really think some animal lovers need to rethink their priorities.

God bless

 

[Rascalking]

Everestfox-You can be both pro-animal and pro-catholic. I’m pro-life, practicing, all that stuff. Human life IS more important than animal life. I get it.

However,

I firmly, firmly believe that our animals will be with us in heaven.

Look, I know that if we achieve heaven, we will be happy with everything. I get it. However, I am convinced by faith alone that God has a soft side-he knows the love and joy a pet can bring you during your darkest times. He knows what it is like to have to lose a pet-He can sense your heartbreak.

More importantly, He loves us dearly. More than we could ever love another. So why wouldn’t he want us to be with other things that make us happy?

It’s just my opinion, of course. But I don’t think I’ll ever think otherwise.

God bless!

 

[thistle]

What I am seeking is proof for or against this possiblity.

The most common proof I have seen at CAF for this is that I cannot be perfectly happy without my pet, and if my pet doesn’t go to heaven, then heaven won’t really be heaven. Though I can relate to this, as I have a dearly loved dog myself, the proof doesn’t really work out because humans are even more important to me, and if a friend goes to hell, does that mean that heaven won’t be heaven? Or does it mean that the friend will be spared from hell in order to make me happy? What it looks like to me is that in heaven we will have a happiness that is completely different from anything we have experienced, which is at the same time perfect and, to an earthly person, unsatisfying.

An analogy from my high school textbook for the happiness of heaven is, when a young man and a young woman fall in love, they want to spend every moment together, and this brings them much happiness. Their little brothers and sisters don’t understand why they would rather be in a boring place, but together, rather than eating ice cream or going to the arcade. Yet, when they are old enough, they will understand. The same goes for heaven.

So unless you can disprove my theory, please do not come up with that. Thanks to all in advance!

There are already many threads on this.

The answer is NO. Animals do NOT go to Heaven.

All living things (animals, plants and humans) have souls but ONLY humans have spiritual immortal souls.
The souls of other living things are material and die when the animal or plant dies.

Baptism is necessary for salvation. Christ did not tell the Apostles to go out and baptise animals.
Anyone who tells me they won’t be happy in Heaven without their pet dog or cat is saying that being united in God’s love forever is not enough and that is an affront to God.

 

[Rascalking]

There are already many threads on this.

The answer is NO. Animals do NOT go to Heaven.

All living things (animals, plants and humans) have souls but ONLY humans have spiritual immortal souls.
The souls of other living things are material and die when the animal or plant dies.

Baptism is necessary for salvation. Christ did not tell the Apostles to go out and baptise animals.
Anyone who tells me they won’t be happy in Heaven without their pet dog or cat is saying that being united in God’s love forever is not enough and that is an affront to God.

Who cares if there are more threads than one on a particular topic? Does it reallly matter?

All of what you said may be true. Perhaps though, just perhaps-you should wait until you get to Heaven before you tell us what is in there.

 

[Miserys_Fence]

Like one of the previous posters, I must stress this is my opinion:

When Adam and Eve were created and lived in the Garden, the intent was that they would live there forever (assuming they had not eaten the forbidden fruit of course!) God told them that they would “die” if they ate of the tree; not “drop dead immediately” die, but “you will no longer live forever” die.

So if the original intent was that they would live in the Garden forever–what would be the reason for the existence of Heaven, if they weren’t going to die?

The Garden was Heaven on Earth, the Heaven that we would have had if not for disobedience. And who else lived in Heaven on Earth? Animals. So it stands to reason that they will be in our other-worldly Heaven as well.

I apologize if this seems a bit spotty; I tried to keep my explanation more along a Catholic mindset, and not so much interject the teachings of my current religion.

Miz

 

[kimmielittle]

Hiyas

IMHO

God is love
Gods love created Eden for us
God knows all love…i.e, I love my Big Brother different than I love God - My love for my Big Brother isn’t above my love for God…my love for my puppy isn’t above my love for my Big Brother… AND this God knows.

I don’t think God will deny any love…unless, that love is mis-directed AND then I’ll have bigger problems to worry about…won’t I? ]

As always, just my thoughts

 

[The_Reginator]

There are already many threads on this.

The answer is NO. Animals do NOT go to Heaven.

All living things (animals, plants and humans) have souls but ONLY humans have spiritual immortal souls.
The souls of other living things are material and die when the animal or plant dies.

Baptism is necessary for salvation. Christ did not tell the Apostles to go out and baptise animals.
Anyone who tells me they won’t be happy in Heaven without their pet dog or cat is saying that being united in God’s love forever is not enough and that is an affront to God.

You said it better than I could have.
We have absolutely no evidence that animals possess an immortal soul.

 

[Bookcat]

Animals do not have immortal souls. They do not ‘go anywhere’.

And when we die in the friendship of God…and our soul goes to heaven…

animals will not be ‘in heaven’.

but perhaps when we are risen…when we have our bodies…our glorified bodies…and
there is the new heavens and new earth…then perhaps there can be animals…and perhaps in some way God can recreate our pets…

---

Catechism:

VI. THE HOPE OF THE NEW HEAVEN AND THE NEW EARTH

1042 At the end of time, the Kingdom of God will come in its fullness. After the universal judgment, the righteous will reign for ever with Christ, glorified in body and soul. The universe itself will be renewed:

The Church . . . will receive her perfection only in the glory of heaven, when will come the time of the renewal of all things. At that time, together with the human race, the universe itself, which is so closely related to man and which attains its destiny through him, will be perfectly re-established in Christ.629

1043 Sacred Scripture calls this mysterious renewal, which will transform humanity and the world, "new heavens and a new earth."630 It will be the definitive realization of God’s plan to bring under a single head "all things in [Christ], things in heaven and things on earth."631

1044 In this new universe, the heavenly Jerusalem, God will have his dwelling among men.632 "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away."633

1045 For man, this consummation will be the final realization of the unity of the human race, which God willed from creation and of which the pilgrim Church has been "in the nature of sacrament."634 Those who are united with Christ will form the community of the redeemed, “the holy city” of God, "the Bride, the wife of the Lamb."635 She will not be wounded any longer by sin, stains, self-love, that destroy or wound the earthly community.636 The beatific vision, in which God opens himself in an inexhaustible way to the elect, will be the ever-flowing well-spring of happiness, peace, and mutual communion.

1046 For the cosmos, Revelation affirms the profound common destiny of the material world and man:

For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God . . . in hope because the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay.... We know that the whole creation has been groaning in travail together until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.637

1047 The visible universe, then, is itself destined to be transformed, “so that the world itself, restored to its original state, facing no further obstacles, should be at the service of the just,” sharing their glorification in the risen Jesus Christ.638

1048 "We know neither the moment of the consummation of the earth and of man, nor the way in which the universe will be transformed. The form of this world, distorted by sin, is passing away, and we are taught that God is preparing a new dwelling and a new earth in which righteousness dwells, in which happiness will fill and surpass all the desires of peace arising in the hearts of men."639

vatican.va/archive/catechism/p123a12.htm#VI

 

[marci]

The answer is NO. Animals do NOT go to Heaven.

Perhaps I am ignorant on this so cut me some slack, but I have never heard of plants and animals having “material souls”. I have always thought that the soul is the spirit which is eternal. Human beings created in God’s image, beside having been created with mortal bodies also posess an immortal spirit or soul. Only we are created in this way. Could I have been wrong all these years?

Please, reference teaching as to “material souls” of plants and animals.

 

[Catholic90]

I am always amused by those who think they KNOW what is and is not in heaven.

The bottom line is that NO ONE KNOWS.

From a compassionate point of view, while down here on earth, if it gives someone comfort to believe that someday they may be reunited with their pet in heaven, who are YOU to tell them they are wrong?!? One of my students lost his pet dog this week. He was very sad, crying in school over this dog (he’s an 11 year old boy, and 11 year old boys do not cry easily in front of their peers). So we prayed for him and his dog. This little boy had some comfort brought to him today by a fellow student saying that someday he might see his beloved dog in heaven again. So should I, the adult in the classroom, taken that opportunity to inform the class that “no animals go to heaven and the dog is just dead”?!? NO!!! That would have been cruel, mean, and cold-hearted. Because, again, the bottom line is WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT GOD HAS IN STORE FOR US!

So be kind, be compassionate. Play nice.

 

[Rascalking]

I am always amused by those who think they KNOW what is and is not in heaven.

The bottom line is that NO ONE KNOWS.

From a compassionate point of view, while down here on earth, if it gives someone comfort to believe that someday they may be reunited with their pet in heaven, who are YOU to tell them they are wrong?!? One of my students lost his pet dog this week. He was very sad, crying in school over this dog (he’s an 11 year old boy, and 11 year old boys do not cry easily in front of their peers). So we prayed for him and his dog. This little boy had some comfort brought to him today by a fellow student saying that someday he might see his beloved dog in heaven again. So should I, the adult in the classroom, taken that opportunity to inform the class that “no animals go to heaven and the dog is just dead”?!? NO!!! That would have been cruel, mean, and cold-hearted. Because, again, the bottom line is WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT GOD HAS IN STORE FOR US!

So be kind, be compassionate. Play nice.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I am raising my bottle of Perrier in a toast to this reply. I am going to copy and place this reply, change the font to red, and make people read this before they post anything else.

Thank you again!

 

[aspirant]

If God Himself is not sufficient to make you happy in heaven, I doubt you will be there, dog or no dog.

However, I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to express my opinion on this matter. Keep in mind it’s only an OPINION, and no more. If it’s shown to be false, then I will withdraw it.

The Bible says, “We love, because God first loved us.”

As God loves us, and we respond to His love, we not only become more able to love others, but we become more like God–and more like our real selves.

As we love our pets (in my case, two very affectionate cats), they respond to our love–and in the process become more THEMselves.

Because of our union of God through love, we are brought into His Eternal Kingdom (which really starts right now).

Maybe (again: maybe) because of our pets’ love for us they, too, come to a place in the Eternal Kingdom with us.

I offer this only as an opinion, no more.

One of the Apologists, writing on this very subject, has opined that in the world to come, God might restore our pets as His gift of love to us, which is basically the same thing.

My opinion is similar to bpbasilphx’. God’s love is superabundantly generous.

All living things (animals, plants and humans) have souls but ONLY humans have spiritual immortal souls.

I agree that plants and animals, as far as we know, were not created for immortality. This does not mean, however, either that God is unable to give them new life or that he will not.

 

[thistle]

Perhaps I am ignorant on this so cut me some slack, but I have never heard of plants and animals having “material souls”. I have always thought that the soul is the spirit which is eternal. Human beings created in God’s image, beside having been created with mortal bodies also posess an immortal spirit or soul. Only we are created in this way. Could I have been wrong all these years?

Please, reference teaching as to “material souls” of plants and animals.

If you want some good reading on this topic I recommend Theology For Beginners by F.J. Sheed. Many of the forum members know this book and others by Frank Sheed. Faithful to Catholic doctrine he explains things in an easy to understand way.

 

[lovemyboys]

I believe that pets (at least cats and dogs) do go to Heaven. Many people who have had near-death experiences see their animals, along with their family members. People who say that they’re absolutely certain that it’s impossible-- well, I guess you guys no more than God. Only God really knows the answer to this question.

 

[thistle]

I believe that pets (at least cats and dogs) do go to Heaven. Many people who have had near-death experiences see their animals, along with their family members. People who say that they’re absolutely certain that it’s impossible-- well, I guess you guys no more than God. Only God really knows the answer to this question.

People with near death experiences are NOT dead and NOT in Heaven so whatever they see is irrelevant.
God gave the Church teaching authority and the Church does not teach anything about animals going to heaven!

 

[centurionguard]

Originally Posted by thistle View Post

The answer is NO. Animals do NOT go to Heaven.

All living things (animals, plants and humans) have souls but ONLY humans have spiritual immortal souls.
The souls of other living things are material and die when the animal or plant dies.

Baptism is necessary for salvation. Christ did not tell the Apostles to go out and baptise animals.
Anyone who tells me they won’t be happy in Heaven without their pet dog or cat is saying that being united in God’s love forever is not enough and that is an affront to God.

Thank You, Thank You. No disrespect to the OP but unless one is ignorant and uncatechized I cannot see any reason to argue nonsical questions. Even as a young kid I knew that animals didn’t go to heaven except that the souls of animals returned back to their Creator.