Posted on 05/18/2011 2:31:49 PM PDT by Salvation
Pets in Heaven? A question that comes up frequently is whether people will see their pets in heaven. Now the Catechism of the Catholic Church does not directly address this question. But it does hold principles which lead us in the direction of an answer. One principle is that all living things have a soul. Here soul is defined as what makes an organic body live. Now when any living thing dies, its soul is separated from its body. In the case of plants and animals the soul goes out of existence. But in the case of man, the soul remains in existence because it is a spiritual or immaterial thing. Consequently, it differs from the souls of animals in two important respects. First, it is the seat of intelligence or reason. For this reason a man is held responsible for his actions in a way that animals are not. Secondly, the soul is immortal. A thing which has no physical parts cannot fall apart or be poisoned or be crushed or be put out of existence. For this reason the souls of the saved will always be aware of themselves as enjoying the vision of God for all eternity. This enjoyment will be the result of having chosen to act on earth in such a way that one did the will of God rather than one's own will. And the souls of the damned will be aware of themselves as never attaining this vision of God because they have shown by their lives on earth that they did not wish this vision but instead preferred their own will. In the light of this essential difference between human beings and animals, it would seem that we would not see the souls of our pets in heaven for the simple reason that they do not have immortal souls and are not responsible for their actions. They do not have the intelligence which allows them to choose either God's will or their own will. There is, then, an incomparable distance, say, between the soul of the sorriest human being who ever lived and the most noble brute animal that ever walked the earth. Now a child might be heartbroken at the thought that he will never see his pet again. He cannot yet understand this explanation about the difference between the human and the animal soul. I suppose that one could tell the child that when he hopefully gets to heaven, he could ask God to see his old pets if he still wished to. There would be no harm in that. For we know that when a person finally sees God, he will not be concerned with seeing old pets or favorite places but rather will be captured in the complete fulfillment of the joy of which old pets and favorite places are but little signs. We adults know that, even if the child does not. For more information on how the Church sees animals in the lives of human beings, check the Catechism of the Catholic Church 2415-2418. You will learn, for example, that the Church, while it condemns cruelty to animals as an offense against the dignity of man, allow experiments on animals if done in a reasonable way. Again, you will learn of the tremendous difference that the Church sees between the lowliest of human beings and the most noble of the animals. It will allow animals to be used for food or clothing, but will defend the right of an innocent human being to live against Kings and Nations. The Church will demand that animals be respected as part of creation while at the same time insisting that the dignity owed a human being should never be given to an animal.
>>But they aren’t souls.<<
No they are consciences or spirits. Where does it say that ONLY souls go to heaven? That there is nothing else?
If anything, pets would have an easier time than humans, because they don’t sin.
We will have to agree to disagree.
:-)
An animal doesn’t have to have a soul to be resurrected. It is within God’s power to recreate the animal exactly as it existed when it died. Complete with it’s nature and memories.
“That is a straw man argument. No body connects Jesus death with the ultimate fate of animals. “
Fair enough, I see what you are saying.
Heaven is a place where God dwells; a place of sinless joy; where men enjoy eternal life, praising and worshiping God.
You think the actual animals (say my dog Joe) go to heaven when they die; but, that isn’t because Jesus died for his sins, but just because he didn’t sin in the first place.
One wonders if every tree, fish, bug, blade of grass, or bush goes too? They did not sin.
How about non-living things, i.e. rocks and minerals? They don’t sin.
Elements?
It’s perfectly possible, God can do anything. But he doesn’t reveal any concern about it or intention for it; the Bible is essentially the story of God redeeming mankind.
Nothing in creation is sinning except man. But God says He is making a new heavens and a new earth. The old one is being cast away, right?
The Hebrew word for soul is nephesh. It is used in Gen 1:20 (prior to Gen 2:7 - the example you give) as ‘life’ - “...the moving creature that hath life”
Studying the Hebrew nephesh as used over 700 times in the Bible shows it refers to animals and humans. I am not a Bible expert, so I find it confusing as to whether animals have souls.
But he doesn’t reveal any concern about it or intention for it;
Yes. That is all we can say. All else is pure speculation. But it is fun to speculate, a little.
“An animal doesn’t have to have a soul to be resurrected. It is within God’s power to recreate the animal exactly as it existed when it died. Complete with it’s nature and memories.”
No, it doesn’t HAVE to have a soul, but it would seem to me God would mention it somewhere in the 66 books of Scripture if it was a part of His plan to resurrect dead pets.
God can do perfectly well whatever He wants, of course. But the resurrection of pets sounds pretty far fetched, when we read the prophecies of the resurrection, pets are not mentioned, and again, I think it sort of cheapens things.
You limit the power of God if you say that pets are not in heaven.
“No they are consciences or spirits.”
Well, how does God describe them in His word? Part of creation; animals.
I’m not so sure either way....
On a semi-related note, I’ve always been puzzled why Eve expressed no dismay when the serpent spoke to her. Was there a time before The Fall when some animals could speak? Sounds nuts, I know; but Eve sure seemed to take it in stride.
God saved the animals from the Great Flood by commanding Noah to take them into the Ark. Why wouldn’t he have a special place for them in Heaven? Just pondering...
“Was there a time before The Fall when some animals could speak? Sounds nuts, I know; but Eve sure seemed to take it in stride.”
It’s open to speculation. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with speculation as long as it’s owned as speculation.
No, it doesn’t HAVE to have a soul, but it would seem to me God would mention it somewhere in the 66 books of Scripture if it was a part of His plan to resurrect dead pets.
That seems so presumptuous to me. He promises the Bible is truly inspired. Never do I see he promises it tell us the COMPLETE truth if everything there is. God keeps his secrets. We have eternity to explore them.
“That seems so presumptuous to me. He promises the Bible is truly inspired. Never do I see he promises it tell us the COMPLETE truth if everything there is. God keeps his secrets. We have eternity to explore them. “
I don’t think it’s so presumptuous. Scripture is largely concerned with the way of salvation, and the entry into heaven. To have the “salvation” of animals unmentioned when the main focus of the whole Book is the history of God’s redemption of His creation is a pretty big omission.
Again, I wonder if you follow your logic: the feral cats? The squirrels? The whales? Trees? Firewood? Carrots? Rocks? Trace minerals? Will all go to heaven as created?
Or only beloved pets, who we project souls on because we are lonely and we love them?
>>Well, how does God describe them in His word? Part of creation; animals.<<
And? Where does he say that they will not be with us in heaven?
It has occurred to me to wonder, as I watched my dog sitting at his ease, is he aware of God’s presence? Is he worshiping in his own way. Would he be amazed to know that my sin prevents me from apprehending God as he does?
>>Again, I wonder if you follow your logic: the feral cats? The squirrels? The whales? Trees? Firewood? Carrots? Rocks? Trace minerals? Will all go to heaven as created?<<
Why not? Why do you limit what God can do?
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