Pets afterlife?

[Lochias]

Many people have already posted their own various experiences and first-hand stories of how marvelous animals can be. I should also think that the Biblical evidence for God’s close attention and love of animals would at least open the minds of those totally against a Heaven with animals to the possibility of a different viewpoint.

God clothes lilies in splendor, and we know that not even a sparrow falls that God is not intimately aware of.

Personally speaking, I think it’s somewhat arrogant to try to limit the possibilities of God’s love and care based simply on the fact that there is no explicit evidence that animals get to heaven; there is no explicit evidence that they don’t, but plenty of implication that God monitors all of His creation much more closely than some might realize.

Many have said, here and in other places, “If animals are what you need to be happy, then God will provide them.” Well enough, but the statement is rather dismissive, and dangerously so, in my opinion. It’s something like saying “Oh, well, if those animal lovers insist on their POV, God will indulge them.”

Without any specific evidence to back their own view up, people who say this are starting to skirt dangerous territory by claiming, in effect, to know the limits of God’s love and mercy as regards the other creatures which share our earth. Putting limits on what God can do is never, ever a smart idea, even if done only in spirit.

 

[JoArtist]

Many people have already posted their own various experiences and first-hand stories of how marvelous animals can be. I should also think that the Biblical evidence for God’s close attention and love of animals would at least open the minds of those totally against a Heaven with animals to the possibility of a different viewpoint.

God clothes lilies in splendor, and we know that not even a sparrow falls that God is not intimately aware of.

Personally speaking, I think it’s somewhat arrogant to try to limit the possibilities of God’s love and care based simply on the fact that there is no explicit evidence that animals get to heaven; there is no explicit evidence that they don’t, but plenty of implication that God monitors all of His creation much more closely than some might realize.

Many have said, here and in other places, “If animals are what you need to be happy, then God will provide them.” Well enough, but the statement is rather dismissive, and dangerously so, in my opinion. It’s something like saying “Oh, well, if those animal lovers insist on their POV, God will indulge them.”

Without any specific evidence to back their own view up, people who say this are starting to skirt dangerous territory by claiming, in effect, to know the limits of God’s love and mercy as regards the other creatures which share our earth. Putting limits on what God can do is never, ever a smart idea, even if done only in spirit.

Wow, that was a little uncharitable. Just because people like me personally don’t think animals go to heaven does not mean we are arrogant. It is just an opinion. I don’t say things like “People who believe animals go to heaven just believe that way because it is comfortable.” I think it is out of line. The fact of the matter is you are making assumptions about people who believe differently than you. Maybe out of hurt feelings because you are an animal lover (I am too, by the way) and can’t imagine a life without them or maybe even for some other reason I don’t get (I can’t know, I am not a mind-reader).

If animals do have spirits, it creates a great moral dilemma with eating them or even subjugating them as pets, workers, for medical experiments, or even in the zoo. How can you justify killing something with a spirit just to eat it? How can you justify subjugating a creature with a spirit, taking them,out of their natural habitat? What sets us apart from them if they do have spirits other than being smarter? If I believed that animals had spirits, I would be a vegetarian, no leather, no pets, and couldn’t justify using treatments for diseases that were tested on unwilling animals.

 

[severus68]

Wow, that was a little uncharitable. Just because people like me personally don’t think animals go to heaven does not mean we are arrogant. It is just an opinion. I don’t say things like “People who believe animals go to heaven just believe that way because it is comfortable.” I think it is out of line. The fact of the matter is you are making assumptions about people who believe differently than you. Maybe out of hurt feelings because you are an animal lover (I am too, by the way) and can’t imagine a life without them or maybe even for some other reason I don’t get (I can’t know, I am not a mind-reader).

If animals do have spirits, it creates a great moral dilemma with eating them or even subjugating them as pets, workers, for medical experiments, or even in the zoo. How can you justify killing something with a spirit just to eat it? How can you justify subjugating a creature with a spirit, taking them,out of their natural habitat? What sets us apart from them if they do have spirits other than being smarter? If I believed that animals had spirits, I would be a vegetarian, no leather, no pets, and couldn’t justify using treatments for diseases that were tested on unwilling animals.

I don’t think he/she was referring to you specifically. There have been a few who have been rather uncharitable shall we say, in dismissing those of us who believe animals go to heaven.

I will not respond on your own reasoning as it will open up too many things and this issue has been argued upon on this and other threads.

 

[lucyAurora]

From a CHRISTIAN point of view, we are not mammals like the rest of the mammalian animal kingdom - we are made in the image of God, and we have souls, and if we accept Jesus Christ as our savior, then after we die we go to Heaven to be with God.

The Bible does not mention non-human animals having souls, and mentions no “afterlife” for non-human animals.

God makes it clear, though, that humans are “stewards” of the land, including over animals, and we need to see to it to protect and give welfare to these creatures by treating them humanely. By treating the Earth & animals humanely and by putting an end to an animal’s suffering, we do God’s work.
my blog

 

[severus68]

From a CHRISTIAN point of view, we are not mammals like the rest of the mammalian animal kingdom - we are made in the image of God, and we have souls, and if we accept Jesus Christ as our savior, then after we die we go to Heaven to be with God.

The Bible does not mention non-human animals having souls, and mentions no “afterlife” for non-human animals.

God makes it clear, though, that humans are “stewards” of the land, including over animals, and we need to see to it to protect and give welfare to these creatures by treating them humanely. By treating the Earth & animals humanely and by putting an end to an animal’s suffering, we do God’s work.
my blog

Actually we are maamals. We are also animals under the general classification of animal, plant, mineral. Yes, the bible does not say anything about animals and souls. There are passages in the Bible which may indicate animals go to heaven. The Church does not take a position on this.

I agree wholeheartedly with the rest of your post.

 

[Lochias]

Wow, that was a little uncharitable. Just because people like me personally don’t think animals go to heaven does not mean we are arrogant. It is just an opinion. I don’t say things like “People who believe animals go to heaven just believe that way because it is comfortable.” I think it is out of line. The fact of the matter is you are making assumptions about people who believe differently than you. Maybe out of hurt feelings because you are an animal lover (I am too, by the way) and can’t imagine a life without them or maybe even for some other reason I don’t get (I can’t know, I am not a mind-reader).

If animals do have spirits, it creates a great moral dilemma with eating them or even subjugating them as pets, workers, for medical experiments, or even in the zoo. How can you justify killing something with a spirit just to eat it? How can you justify subjugating a creature with a spirit, taking them,out of their natural habitat? What sets us apart from them if they do have spirits other than being smarter? If I believed that animals had spirits, I would be a vegetarian, no leather, no pets, and couldn’t justify using treatments for diseases that were tested on unwilling animals.

I’m sorry, it wasn’t my intention to offend. I suppose that “arrogant” wasn’t quite the word I was looking for, and I apologize. I was only trying to emphasize what I see as significant folly in saying that “animals don’t go to heaven” when we have no rock-solid proof of that, but much implication otherwise (at the very least in a Biblical sense; the lives of many of the Saints are also a powerful example). I certainly couldn’t imagine live as a whole, for all of us on the planet, without the other creatures of God’s creation; indeed, we’d be up a creek without a paddle without them. On a more personal level, I’ve had several pets, and while I could live without owning one, I’d prefer not too.

As for animals having spirits? Of course they do. As evidenced above, our Catechism teaches that they do, even if it differs from from what we humans possess. If my understanding is right, however, what the Church teaches about the matter focuses more on noting the fact that animals are not to be treated as people, in terms of needing any sort of “salvation” on the part of God, and also where human suffering would result. (“Pet weddings” that cost thousands of dollars is one horrendous example that comes to mind.)

The Church itself is silent on whether or not we will see animals in Heaven, but one should look at the examples of God’s love for ALL His creation, His intimate knowledge of each and every creature and blade of grass; the idea of these things simply passing from all knowledge and light into nothingness suddenly seems a little less plausible, at least to me. As many others have said, see St. Francis’ take on the matter, too. His love and care of the world extended beyond even the creatures, to the point where he could apparently ask Fire itself to lessen its burning of him due to the respect that St. Francis had for it, as a creation of God as well as respect of its capabilities.

And as for moral dilemmas concerning eating them or subjugating them, I’ll ask a few questions in turn (and I’m honestly curious here): What is your view on things like the wars that Joshua fought in order to bring his people into the Promised Land? The relationship between God and man in the Bible seems to indicate that there are times when war and the spilling of human blood is more necessary than not. Do you see any circumstance in which the taking of human life is necessary? I ask because of this statement: “How can you justify killing something with a spirit just to eat it?”

 

[JoArtist]

I’m sorry, it wasn’t my intention to offend. I suppose that “arrogant” wasn’t quite the word I was looking for, and I apologize. I was only trying to emphasize what I see as significant folly in saying that “animals don’t go to heaven” when we have no rock-solid proof of that, but much implication otherwise (at the very least in a Biblical sense; the lives of many of the Saints are also a powerful example). I certainly couldn’t imagine live as a whole, for all of us on the planet, without the other creatures of God’s creation; indeed, we’d be up a creek without a paddle without them. On a more personal level, I’ve had several pets, and while I could live without owning one, I’d prefer not too.

As for animals having spirits? Of course they do. As evidenced above, our Catechism teaches that they do, even if it differs from from what we humans possess. If my understanding is right, however, what the Church teaches about the matter focuses more on noting the fact that animals are not to be treated as people, in terms of needing any sort of “salvation” on the part of God, and also where human suffering would result. (“Pet weddings” that cost thousands of dollars is one horrendous example that comes to mind.)

The Church itself is silent on whether or not we will see animals in Heaven, but one should look at the examples of God’s love for ALL His creation, His intimate knowledge of each and every creature and blade of grass; the idea of these things simply passing from all knowledge and light into nothingness suddenly seems a little less plausible, at least to me. As many others have said, see St. Francis’ take on the matter, too. His love and care of the world extended beyond even the creatures, to the point where he could apparently ask Fire itself to lessen its burning of him due to the respect that St. Francis had for it, as a creation of God as well as respect of its capabilities.

And as for moral dilemmas concerning eating them or subjugating them, I’ll ask a few questions in turn (and I’m honestly curious here): What is your view on things like the wars that Joshua fought in order to bring his people into the Promised Land? The relationship between God and man in the Bible seems to indicate that there are times when war and the spilling of human blood is more necessary than not. Do you see any circumstance in which the taking of human life is necessary? I ask because of this statement: “How can you justify killing something with a spirit just to eat it?”

I think sometimes war is necessary, but that is very rare and I believe that the Church even has guidelines as such. Also I am against the death penalty.There is generally not a need to kill another human and only should be done in the most dire of circumstances. As for eating animals, we really don’t need to eat any sort of meat. There are plenty of vegetarians out there and unless starving with no other option (or freezing and in need of warmth (fur)) there is no need to eat an animal. I have no issues with this because I don’t believe animals have an immortal spirit.

I do believe that God loves all of His creation, but you don’t see people arguing that plants go to heaven, or most lower life-forms like bacteria, viruses, or other lower forms of life.

 

[CollegeStudent3]

I had a very young friend pass away less than a year ago of cancer. She was a remarkable young lady. Always joyful and courageous even with battling her cancer for 7 years of her 20 year old life. She had a love for animals as myself and was a fellow equestrian. Although I cannot be certain she is in Heaven, I have a feeling deep down that she is there. She devoted her life to loving. Whenever I lose a pet I ask her and St. Francis to take care of them for me. I’m certain individuals like my friend, Sammy need their animals to find Heaven the ultimate splendor of bliss.

 

[oneofmany]

Wasn’t there animals in the Garden of Eden? God created many animals but Adam didn’t find them compatable until God created woman. A neat alagory but still part of the story. We certainly know Satan was there in the form of a snake.

Animals lived peacefuly until the fall, then animals had to kill others for food. Men had to start killing for food. Man also kills for other reasons but for the most part animals kill only for survival in one way or another. Which of us is the better creature in the long run?

 

[severus68]

Wasn’t there animals in the Garden of Eden? God created many animals but Adam didn’t find them compatable until God created woman. A neat alagory but still part of the story. We certainly know Satan was there in the form of a snake.

Animals lived peacefuly until the fall, then animals had to kill others for food. Men had to start killing for food. Man also kills for other reasons but for the most part animals kill only for survival in one way or another. Which of us is the better creature in the long run?

 

[Delaine75]

The best explanation I ever heard or read was this: The reason pets don’t go to heaven is because they wait outside the Gates for us, so when we die they can meet us and we will enter Heaven together. True or not, that though has brought me comfort.

Oh, I love this so much!! Now I’m all teary-eyed!

 

[Faithdancer]

As I read on another forum, one problem with postulating animals in heaven is, where is the line drawn? If dogs and cats and horses go to heaven, what about pigs and gorillas, toucans or giraffes?

 

[jpmortician]

Dogs will most definately have an afterlife ! They are also God’s creation, Pope John Paul II decreed in 2002 that animals have souls, and to be honest… they deserve it more than alot of humans do… Peace.