Trying to Convert

[Curiouser]

Hi!
I’m a new member to Catholic Answer Forums; after lurking for quite some time, I finally decided to register.
I would like to thank everyone here, I have learned so much about the Catholic faith from reading your post. I have been begun attending Mass, and are now seriously considering officially converting as a result.
Over the years of searching and learning I have come to understand and believe Catholic teaching. Nevertheless, I do have just one issue left that I cannot ‘make my peace with’; and, if you have a minute, would very much appreciate your insight on. It’s about animals. I have read all the post questioning if animals have souls and their treatment, and find myself a little shaken. You see, I’m a vegetarian (trying to be vegan), I support PETA, WWF, my local Humane Society and the whole ‘green’ movement with a passion! It doesn’t mean I don’t care for humans too ( I support causes that end violent against woman, poverty , and promote child health and literacy…etc.) all in all, it just breaks my heart to see anyone suffer.
CC 2456 states “The dominion granted by the Creator over the mineral, vegetable, and animal resources of the universe cannot be separated from respect for moral obligations, including those toward generations to come”.
I see my perspective in this statement, but I might be wrong. My question is: Can I keep my belief against animal cruelty (I’m against animal testing and abuse) if I convert? Can I believe that my pets do have soul (even if they are different then a humans –which I kind of like to believe so they can sin!- and that they will go to Heaven because God created them too, and he Love all Things)?

Thank You for reading my post,

 

[FightingFat]

Hi!
I’m a new member to Catholic Answer Forums; after lurking for quite some time, I finally decided to register.

Welcome!!

I would like to thank everyone here, I have learned so much about the Catholic faith from reading your post. I have been begun attending Mass, and are now seriously considering officially converting as a result.

Wow! Too cool for school! :extrahappy:

Can I keep my belief against animal cruelty (I’m against animal testing and abuse) if I convert? Can I believe that my pets do have soul (even if they are different then a humans –which I kind of like to believe so they can sin!- and that they will go to Heaven because God created them too, and he Love all Things)?

Thank You for reading my post,

Of course! It’s Catholic belief that animals do indeed have souls, just different ones from humans. It demonstrates our humanity if we show compassion for all living things, it is a higher path! Good on you!

 

[thedavidwilson]

You should get a book called Theology For Beginners by Sheed. It delves into what a soul is. The proper, theological definition of a soul is a life force. Plants have souls as do our pets. What makes us different is that our souls are also spirits. Spirits live forever, after being created, and we are similar to angels in this respect. Our soul/spirit was created to reside in a body and that is one of the things that makes us different from angels. It is this spirit aspect of our soul (or life force) which makes us different from animals and what gives humans intrincic value and why we should not kill innocent human beings. Animals on the other hand only have souls (since they are alive) but they do not have spirits. When they die that is it. When you get to heaven God might create your pets for you there if that is what would make you happy but they would not actually exist there.

From a Catholic perspective we should be kind to animals but that is not really because of something inherent to them. When we are violent to an animal (or a human) we are actually hurting ourselves since we are giving into our emotions and that is bad. We should be kind to animals but we should also use them for our benefit; e.g. food, companionship, etc.

The concept of animal welfare is very compatiable to Catholicism. I think where PETA and others diverge is when they start talking about animal rights. In a Catholic sense every right that we have is linked to a duty we have. We have a duty to worship God so therefore we have a right to freedom of religion. Animals do not have any duties, except maybe to grow and serve us.

We get very attached to our pets and that is OK but we should not prescribe any additional value to them other than what God has given to them. Catholicism is very much rooted in reason and not emotion. While we love our pets we should not let that emotion guide us into placing them on the same level as humans. Similar logic was used by Darwin (in his Decent of Man) and later engenicists to treat humans like animals which can be breed and used for certain purposes.

I hope this helps!

 

[damooster]

You should get a book called Theology For Beginners by Sheed. It delves into what a soul is. The proper, theological definition of a soul is a life force. Plants have souls as do our pets. What makes us different is that our souls are also spirits. Spirits live forever, after being created, and we are similar to angels in this respect. Our soul/spirit was created to reside in a body and that is one of the things that makes us different from angels. It is this spirit aspect of our soul (or life force) which makes us different from animals and what gives humans intrincic value and why we should not kill innocent human beings. Animals on the other hand only have souls (since they are alive) but they do not have spirits. When they die that is it. When you get to heaven God might create your pets for you there if that is what would make you happy but they would not actually exist there.

From a Catholic perspective we should be kind to animals but that is not really because of something inherent to them. When we are violent to an animal (or a human) we are actually hurting ourselves since we are giving into our emotions and that is bad. We should be kind to animals but we should also use them for our benefit; e.g. food, companionship, etc.

The concept of animal welfare is very compatiable to Catholicism. I think where PETA and others diverge is when they start talking about animal rights. In a Catholic sense every right that we have is linked to a duty we have. We have a duty to worship God so therefore we have a right to freedom of religion. Animals do not have any duties, except maybe to grow and serve us.

We get very attached to our pets and that is OK but we should not prescribe any additional value to them other than what God has given to them. Catholicism is very much rooted in reason and not emotion. While we love our pets we should not let that emotion guide us into placing them on the same level as humans. Similar logic was used by Darwin (in his Decent of Man) and later engenicists to treat humans like animals which can be breed and used for certain purposes.

I hope this helps!

:clapping:

Thanks for sharing this insight. I wondered about this myself.

 

[Stella76]

Welcome! I am on a journey of faith as well!

I am also devoted to animals, and I wanted to learn about the Church’s teachings on them. Check out CC 2415-2418, “Respect for the Integrity of Creation.”

Here are a few excerpts:

CC 2416: Animals are God’s creatures. He surrounds them with his providential care. By their mere existence they bless him and give him glory. Thus men owe them kindness. We should recall the gentleness with which saints like St. Francis of Assisi or St. Philip Neri treated animals.

CC 2418: It is against human dignity to cause animals to suffer or die needlessly. It is likewise unworthy to spend money on them that as a priority go to the relief of human misery. One can love animals; one should not direct to them the affection due only to persons.

Do take a look at that section of the catechism. I feel it will answer many of your questions.

Best of luck, keep reading and learning, and feel free to PM me if you want to chat about the process of conversion (I’m heading into the final weeks of RCIA now).

*Stella

 

[fellowChristian]

The Catholic Church has a patron saint for animals

Life of St. Francis of Assisi
St. Francis of Assisi, the **patron saint of animals **and ecology, was a Roman Catholic saint who took the gospel literally by following all Jesus said and did.

**Pet Blessings 2008 **
Christians everywhere celebrate the feast of St. Francis of Assisi on October 4 by having their pets blessed in the spirit of this patron saint of animals and ecology.

americancatholic.org/Features/Francis/

 

[Curiouser]

Thank you to everyone for replying. I feel so much better!

 

[adowcday]

The Catholic Church has a patron saint for animals

Life of St. Francis of Assisi
St. Francis of Assisi, the **patron saint of animals **and ecology, was a Roman Catholic saint who took the gospel literally by following all Jesus said and did.

**Pet Blessings 2008 **
Christians everywhere celebrate the feast of St. Francis of Assisi on October 4 by having their pets blessed in the spirit of this patron saint of animals and ecology.

americancatholic.org/Features/Francis/

If you love animals as you do, you really should read about the life of St. Francis of Assisi. Wonderful example of the whole-hearted following of Christ and a great lover of animals.