Myself, I can't see why they WOULDN'T be there---"heaven", by whatever name, just wouldn't be any FUN without loads of 4-foots, wonderful fish, and gorgeous birds (considering how much joy they give us here on earth). FWIW, I'm a Pagan (ex-Lutheran).
Can I get perspectives from other people as to their thoughts on this (and your faith background, if you're comfortable sharing)? Your personal beliefs may differ from what your faith community holds as true, by the way....I'd like a focus on _personal beliefs_ and the relig. background is mostly curiosity on my part. (Basically, I'm not all that interested in what "X denomination" specifically believes, but it'd be interesting to see how it shapes thoughts...)
Also, if you have any specific "holy book references" (any faith tradition) that definitely says _yes_, could you share them with all of us? Thanks!
(Sits back, curiously awaiting replies)
2006-10-10 07:37:19 · 23 answers · asked by samiracat 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I wouldn't go to any religion's heaven if my pets wouldn't be waiting for me.
My grandfather was a big animal lover and he died when I was 19. Every time I lose a pet (and I've had a bad year, losing 3 parrots and a cat), I imagine my grandpa taking them in for me, all of them friends and having fun. In fact my friend asked if my grandpa could care for her dog that she just lost, so he's a regular pet-shepherd up there. I just call thsat place Home. My pagan friends call it the Summerland.
I believe that wild animals have spirits. So a wild bunny who died, his spirit gets reabsorbed into the Great Bunny spirit and reborn as a bunny. But a bunny who is loved is given a piece of its owner's soul. That bunny can go into the Great Bunny if it chooses or move to the summerland/home/heaven with other pet bunnies. Those are the animals that can reincarnate as other animals and work their way up to being human someday.
2006-10-10 08:51:54 · answer #1 · answered by Gevera Bert 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure that your question can be answered without reference to a belief system. For instance: many religions believe in reincarnation, and so naturally there would be animals around in the world, as some people are reborn into higher or lower forms. Many pagans believe that non-humans have souls and progress just as humans do. Many christians do not believe that animals posess souls, and do not go to heaven.
I'd like to think that we all continue in one form or another. I know that I've lost pets that I would love to be reunited with on another plane.
2006-10-10 14:44:32 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the bible it speaks of the "soul of a dove", hence doves have souls. I'm christian, and I believe any creature with the capacity to love has a soul, and so is entitled to heaven. Animals are not born "bad", when they behave badly it's usually our fault. They don't sin. I expect to see many beautiful creatures in heaven, and I have a few very much loved friends I believe are waiting for me.
Also, when Jesus and the angels come down for the final wrath, they'll be riding horses.
2006-10-10 14:49:26 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can only say that I was happy to find this quote:
"There is not an animal that lives on the Earth, nor a being that flies on its wings, but forms part of communities like you. Nothing have We omitted from the Book, and they all shall be gathered to their Lord in the end."
--Al-Qur'an, 6:38
2006-10-11 00:03:46 · answer #4 · answered by thinking 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, and the reason i state that is at Ecclesiastes 3; 19-20 where it explains that man and beast go back to the dust. Man was origianlly created to live forever, but chose rebellion and so death is our fate now too. Animals are not created in God's image, so there's no expectation on their part. However, Jehovah loves all his creatures , so man's abuse of animals has not escaped his notice.
2006-10-10 14:49:37 · answer #5 · answered by jaguarboy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Animals do not have souls, so they cannot go to Heaven. But listen I have the cutest little 10-year-old dog that I hope goes somewhere - like a dog heaven. I think maybe she will as God gives us the desires of our hearts (when we are in His will) and I am asking for that. Blessings.
2006-10-10 14:41:12 · answer #6 · answered by jworks79604 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I like that question....I suppose if there is a heaven, it would contain all the things we love and lust for in this world. When I get to heaven, I hope to have lots of homosexual sex. As David Byrne once said: Heaven is a place, a place where nothing.....nothing ever happens. I guess that means eternity in any form would be boring.
2006-10-10 14:43:54 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
and the lion will lay down next to the lamb......Isaiah Ch. 11...talks about the Messianic age. Animals will eat straw, infants will play next to cobras. As for heaven....that is a hard thing to say. We are given interpretations of visions.....So, things may be literal or metaphorical.....
2006-10-10 14:39:44 · answer #8 · answered by TCFKAYM 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe that we can reincarnate as animals, i also believe animals have souls and humans got jealous because animals are prettier and nicer than humans are.
I was a fox many times a badger a tazzie tiger, a wolverine in many lifes.
2006-10-10 14:45:24 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
i am agnostic. and I'm not recovering from any other religion. animal or human, someone would have to die and return in order to tell us what happens after death. have you ever heard of anyone that has been met at the 'pearly gates' and been turned away? what then? hell? what if hell didn't want them either? each person needs to find their own way of spiritual guidance. whatever works for you and is not harmful to others or self destructive. just live honestly and with integrity.
2006-10-10 14:45:38 · answer #10 · answered by deathwishpussy 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋