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.
“Look we are going to have to agree to disagree.”
I am content to do so; I wouldn’t go to the wall over this issue. I think our right understanding of God; man; and creation are very important. But God already has it sorted out, even if we have a hard time on occasion with the details. He will do what is perfect and right. Of that I am certain.
“When God reforms the new Earth, do you believe it will be so much unlike the current earth that there will be no animals? “
No, my presupposition is that there will be animals there.
What I’ve been trying to address is the notion of a particular animal (my dog Joe) getting resurrected, making a personal appearance in heaven, and become part of the New Heavens and New Earth. I think only souls are eternal. I don’t think Joe has a soul.
However, I don’t deny there could be dogs on the new earth. Just not Joe in particular. I think he’s going to die like the trees and the fish. Not get resurrected and etc.
If your dog Joe is anything like my (specific) dogs and cats I owned, THEY are a HUGE part of MY soul. So, if MY soul goes, so do they. It can’t be separated.
“If your dog Joe is anything like my (specific) dogs and cats I owned, THEY are a HUGE part of MY soul. So, if MY soul goes, so do they. It cant be separated.”
It is statements like yours that show the danger inherent in the whole “our pets go to heaven” theology. It has warped your understanding of who you are, and what your soul is.
I don’t mean to undermine your affection for your pet or be harsh. But reading what you said above confirms to me that it is a dangerous doctrine and I am glad I oppose it.
I have read others saying that if their pet doesn’t go to heaven, they don’t want to go either. That is another example of the error of this belief, and its bad fruit.
Well, everyone is entitled to their opinion.....My intuition tells me there is no question that if pets were an important part of your life, heart and soul, that they will be going with you....
>>> A dyslexic, insomniac, atheist was lying in bed one night staring up at the ceiling thinking, I wonder if there really is a dog?
LOL, that is a great line!
>>> It has occurred to me to wonder, as I watched my dog sitting at his ease, is he aware of Gods 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?
Mr. Dean Koontz, izzat you? Love yer books!
[Very cool way of putting that, BTW.]
Before I answer that, answer yourself this - why do you need other SOULS in Heaven - God ain’t enough?
Why, you wouldn't be stalking me across threads now, would you? You DO know that is not allowed behavior. This is the second or even third or fourth place that you have asked me about something I told you I was done discussing with you. Please stop with the bullying.
Certainly. I am confessing a failure in hope and in imagination. God does not need anything but Himself to make me happy.
whats the back story on that marvelous dueling signs?
On that, I will agree with you. Shall not the God of all the earth do right?
It wouldn’t be heaven without animals.
Just a joke somebody put together with photo editing software, I’m afraid. Snopes has a page on it.
One would be well advised to remember Jesus commanded us not to judge. Most of the 30,000 cults probably would adhere to that admonition.
>>What about socio-paths?<<
Actually, they do know right from wrong. They chose to ignore it, without remorse.
Animals do not know right and wrong, just as babies don’t.
I don’t need other souls. God is enough for me.
Likewise, I don’t need the pets. God will be awesome in his abundance.
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