2006-08-29 06:06:47 · 35 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Interesting question and one I have been dealing with as my dog and best buddy died two weeks ago. People used to beleive that the world was flat and that the universe rotated around earth (us). Once scientists proved this wrong and enough scientists were killed for blasphemy the Church gave up the notion that the universe rotated around us. However we still beleive that we were made in gods image, essentially we still say that the universe revolves around us because we alone were made in Gods image and we alone have souls. I don't think this is really surprising as we are the dominant species on the planet and it is only natural that we beleive we are supreme. It also speaks to our self-importance. I for one beleive my Golden Retriever does have a soul and if anybody should be allowed to go to heaven it would be a golden retriever. I think it is much more likely that he would go to heaven more than most people I have met particulary those that call themselves born-again christians that seemingly follow the old-testament much more than any of the actual teachings of Christ.
2006-08-29 06:16:13 · answer #1 · answered by harrison f 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe animals should have souls if humans have souls. Certainly there are animals who show they are capable of thinking, rationalizing and making better decisions than many humans of average intelligence. Dogs who look after small children and stop them from wandering into dangerous situations without any training to do so for example.
NewCatholic is wrong about animals not having free will. Anyone who has ever had an insulted cat poop purposefully on their bed knows this.
2006-08-29 06:32:35 · answer #2 · answered by February Rain 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Heaven will be a miserable place for the believers who love their pets. But hey, if god can refuse good people who don't believe in Jesus, then only those who won't go to heaven will enjoy the company of their pets.
You should petition God to change the rules. He is obviously NOT infallible. I plan to make the case myself, if he is kind enough to let me get a word in edgewise.
The Heaven vs Hell is an unenlightend approach to rectifying right and wrong. This philosophy is the basis of our criminal justice system, where those who wrong others are merely punished rather than given the opportunity to pay restitution (or otherwise attempt to make whole or atone). In a system of reincarnation souls are given the chance to atone, or to complete what they couldn't finish. If we do have souls, and if there is a god, I will assume the best that the more enlightened approach would be in effect. Otherwise, what kind of god is he anyhow?
2006-08-29 06:19:37 · answer #3 · answered by Search first before you ask it 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some people say there is no proof of animal Souls .. well do we have proof of HUMAN souls ???
I believe that Animals an Humans have souls , an i'm willing to bet they both end up in heaven !
2006-08-29 06:13:16 · answer #4 · answered by lilredhead 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No animals do not have a soul nor do they need a Savior nor do they worship God.
I don't know what kinds of animals are in Heaven but Revelation 19:14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.
So they have horses there and therefore it's very possible their will be other types of animals...
2006-08-29 06:29:44 · answer #5 · answered by jaimestar64cross 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God did not create animals with souls. Only Humans. Sorry!
But it doesn't mean that there won't be animals in heaven. In the Bible, horses have been seen going up to heaven.
Also, one day heaven will be on earth. And I believe that there will be animals on the new earth.
2006-08-29 06:11:38 · answer #6 · answered by geskuh 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe animals are equals to the animal of man in God's eyes. They are more intelligent than we often give them credit for.
They all have a languages of their own that we often cannot understand, but yet they often seem to understand us. In fact there is a female Ape that knows over two hundred sign words. She can communicate with us on our level but not the other way around. We have predominantly have been spiciest in our attitudes.
Personally I do not believe in eternal hells or heavens for that matter. There are however the ones we create for ourselves and sometimes the ones others impose upon us. These states can exist in the material or spiritual world.
I believe we have many lives to live. Energy does not disappear but simply transforms itself. I tend to believe the essence of who the animals are goes on but yet their forms will change. This law is the same for all species.
2006-08-29 06:21:38 · answer #7 · answered by Love of Truth 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I thought this way as a child. And I still do today. I don't even know if it talks about this in the bible or not.... But subconsciously, I believe heaven will be full of animals, just like earth is now.
I imagine heaven being just like earth, only no problems, no stress, no rude people, pure bliss, etc....
Any anti-christ folk wanna bash me for my thoughts, bring it on. I've heard it all and it's old news.
2006-08-29 06:15:59 · answer #8 · answered by mktobyjo 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I fully believe that animals have souls. I can't answer the heaven question specifically, but I do believe that the same thing happens to their souls after death as happens to ours.
2006-08-29 06:09:19 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I'd like to believe all good little animals will be in Heaven. I think Heaven will be what you make it. If yours is the Garden of Eden, then you will have animals.
2006-08-29 06:09:44 · answer #10 · answered by Ron B. 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋