Why do animals need to suffer?

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It is said that our suffering is like a medicine, so that we can enter Heaven. To be saints we would need to suffer to lern how to be humble and how to trust God.

But… why do animals need to suffer? For what I know, animals will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. So what’s the point? Why they had to be created just to suffer and then die and disappear?
 
It is very sad isn’t it? Saint Francis is not the only one who had affinity for animals. Saint Phillip Neri had a love for animals too. Animals are part of the kingdom of God and are here to help maintain a balance in the food chains. They also are here to serve man in the fields, in our military, in police work, and yes, as our loving companions. I believe in the OT we are instructed to treat our animals well and with compassion.

Here is a wonderful prayer that was written by Albert Schweitzer:

Hear our humble prayer, O God, for our friends the animals,
especially for animals who are suffering;
for animals that are overworked, underfed and cruelly treated;
for all wistful creatures in captivity that beat their wings against bars;
for any that are hunted or lost or deserted or frightened or hungry;
for all that must be put death.
We entreat for them all Thy mercy and pity,
and for those who deal with them we ask a heart of compassion
and gentle hands and kindly words.
Make us, ourselves, to be true friends to animals,
and so to share the blessings of the merciful.
 
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dont you see animals suffering all the time? being abandoned, slaughtered, abused, let to die in roads, etc?
 
HSTV said:
dont you see animals suffering all the time? being abandoned, slaughtered, abused, let to die in roads, etc?
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Some? Yes. However, that does not mean they were created for that purpose or even that God wills for these things to happen to them.

Ultimately, we do not know what becomes of animals after they die. God has not revealed that to us. What does it profit us to assume that their life and suffering has no purpose?
 
The Chruch opinion is that after they die, they cease to exist.
So their suffering has no purpose for themselves, maybe their purpose is just to serve us, which I think is sad.

I do not understand why these beings need to go through all of that. Suffering just exist because we sinned. They are paying for something the human race did.
 
I think one of the Catholic answers is that its being a fallen world affects every living being, not only humans but animals as well.

As a non-Catholic, non-Christian, I’m not even sure why humans have to suffer, let alone animals. But Gd designed it that way, and so it is. In the meantime, we should be as kind and loving to animals, as well as humans, as we can because they too are part of Gd’s creation and deserve our respect. This is commanded by Jewish law.
 
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Well maybe you do have a point there. Their suffering can awake in some of us that reaction to treat better our animal companions and why not every part of the planet we inherited to live in. It is entrusted to our care. Perhaps we will also be judged by how well or badly we did this.
 
Also, animals cannot suffer in the same way humans can. Their souls are not conscious. What we think of as suffering is not experienced by an animal. They have instinctive reactions to phenomena. Some of those reactions seem like those of a conscious being, but they really are not.
 
HSTV said:
maybe their purpose is just to serve us, which I think is sad.
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I drove by a restaurant other day and owner was spoon feeding her chihuahua dog then wiping his mouth in between bites
 
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Well why do innocent children need to suffer? Suffering is a part of life

I would think that animals probably suffer less than humans because their suffering is mostly just physical and maybe sometimes emotional. Human suffering can be much deeper and therefore I would guess more painful
 
In the fall from grace, Adam and Eve were not the only creations that were changed and everafter suffered. The fall affected all of creation.

The devil was cast out of heaven and down to earth. Thus, all that is upon the earth suffers.
 
This is why we have to prevent animal abuse. You should read about the life of St. Francis, who loved animals so much. He’s the patron saint of animals and he often blessed animals along with the children.

Our family adopted a dog from an animal shelter. He was at his foster family’s house, and he continued to live in fear after my mom brought him home. We tried everything; we gave him all kinds of foods and treats, but he was so caught up in his trauma that he didn’t want to reach out to us.

5 years later, he’s a happy and joyful dog. He’s full of life and incredibly intelligent. And of course, he’s really adorable. We thank God for allowing us to bring him home.

My mom is really outspoken about animal abuse and she is also Catholic. We do believe that God has created them also for a reason and we need to treat them with kindness.
 
thistle said:
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HSTV:
dont you see animals suffering all the time? being abandoned, slaughtered, abused, let to die in roads, etc?
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How do you come up with “MOST” of them??
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Every creature in the wild that is a carnivore has to kill and eat other creatures. Try killing something with your teeth. See how long it takes.
 
HSTV said:
It is said that our suffering is like a medicine, so that we can enter Heaven. To be saints we would need to suffer to lern how to be humble and how to trust God.

But… why do animals need to suffer? For what I know, animals will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. So what’s the point? Why they had to be created just to suffer and then die and disappear?
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Senses are necessary to avoid physical damage and to preserve life. That sensitivity may be perceived as pain or pleasure. Without it there could be no life, therefore it is a necessary component for creatures. Seventh grade science class slides show these characteristics of living organisms:
  • Metabolism
  • Regulation: responding to the environment
  • Locomotion
  • Synthesis
  • Transport
  • Respiration
  • Nutrition
  • Growth
  • Excretion
  • Reproduction (asexual or sexual)
 
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Vico said:
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HSTV:
It is said that our suffering is like a medicine, so that we can enter Heaven. To be saints we would need to suffer to lern how to be humble and how to trust God.

But… why do animals need to suffer? For what I know, animals will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. So what’s the point? Why they had to be created just to suffer and then die and disappear?
Click to expand...
Senses are necessary to avoid physical damage and to preserve life. That sensitivity may be perceived as pain or pleasure. Without it there could be no life, therefore it is a necessary component for creatures. Seventh grade science class slides show these characteristics of living organisms:
  • Metabolism
  • Regulation: responding to the environment
  • Locomotion
  • Synthesis
  • Transport
  • Respiration
  • Nutrition
  • Growth
  • Excretion
  • Reproduction (asexual or sexual)
Click to expand...
Sorry, you missed a bit. The bit where the majority of sentient creatures either try to avoid being eaten alive or actively each other creatures. Not always when they are dead.

Who on earth designed such a system?
 
Bradskii said:
Every creature in the wild that is a carnivore has to kill and eat other creatures. Try killing something with your teeth. See how long it takes.
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I am pretty sure the OP is not talking about animals in the wild and in the wild predators make quick work of their prey when caught!!
 
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