Do animals contemplate an after life?

Question

If not, why not? And, why do we humans contemplate an after-life? Even if you don't believe in Heaven, why do you think about it?

Are we ignorant for thinking about it? Or, are we ignorant for not thinking about it?

Dear "sexy" - Wow. That was overwhelmingly great.

Dear "blv" - you are on the ball. That is precisely why I used "ignorant" instead of the "st___" word.

Dear "prairie chicken" - that was great. And, so intellectual.

Dear hap _ so true.

These are great answers. Thanks.

Answer 1

I don't believe they do unless they have beliefs that we are not aware of. Maybe they do have thoughts and "conversations" about this that we don't know about with the other dogs around them....could be! We'll never know until we get there - unless they have their own dog heaven, then we'll never know.

Answer 2

God created the heavens and the earth and all there is in it. Yes, most certain that animals contemplate an after life. They may not have been created in God's image, but they are HIS creations. I think we contemplate an after-life because we are sick to death of all the hell we go through on earth. Why not sit and think about a better place to be? For me, obviously, it's heaven. I love the thoughts that come to mind when I think about going home. God will be right there to hug me with His arms wide open. There will be no more nights of terrible nightmares, no more loss of loved ones (animal and human), no more sorrow or pain or having to sit back and watch what seems all the bad guys getting the good deals. I love God, I have faith in God, and I pray to God everyday. That doesn't mean I am exempt from those things like sorrow and loss. I do not believe for one minute that we are ignorant for thinking about an after-life. It's real, so why not give it creedance like we do the tangible side of life?

Answer 3

If they did, how would we know?

But I don't think it's likely. Abstract thought seems to be tied to the frontal lobes and the cerebral cortex, which in most animals is very small. They probably don't think much further ahead than a few actions, and much of what they perceive is probably hind- and mid-brain activity, which is primarily emotional and sensual. The idea of something beyond the "now" (aside from sensory memory) is probably exceedingly difficult for them to grasp.

I would say that reflection on the possibility of something beyond this life is a very human activity (those big frontal lobes and that inflated cerebral cortex coming into play). We can imagine the future; we try to imagine a time when we will not exist, which is a real brain-bender. I would say how much any person thinks about it is a matter of temperment and that there's nothing "ignorant" about either approach.

Answer 4

Men and Woman see in animals part of God’s generous provision for human welfare. Animals have served man as burden bearers, as sources of food and clothing, as sanitation agents, and as helpers in the vital activities of plowing and harvesting. Their variety of form and color has delighted his eye; their habits and instincts have been and still are an extensive field for inquiry into the marvels of God’s creative work. Though animals die in the same manner as man, they do not share his hope of a resurrection.

Animals were created with a limited life span, humans had the prospect of living on earth forever. ( Psalm 37:29) Jesus Christ said that to enjoy “everlasting life,” we must exercise faith and take in knowledge of God, things that animals are incapable of doing. (John 17:3)

God created animals for the sake of humans. Animals can help them do their work and can serve as their companions or pets. They also serve to magnify God’s love and wisdom.

The Creator gave life to both humans and animals. But for how long were they to continue to live? Scientists report that humans seem to have the potential of endless life, so that investigators are perplexed as to why man dies. The Bible gives the reason. It says that the Creator gave the first humans the opportunity of living forever. Death came only because they rebelled. (Gen. 2:17; 3:17-19) What, though, of animals? They are not capable of conscious rebellion against God; yet they live only for a length of time and then die. Hence, it is clear that the Creator never purposed that individual animals live forever. For them death was natural..

Answer 5

Well, just a guess...they are not able to contemplate due to the nature of their brains.

As for humans, setting aside my own beliefs, an afterlife is a comfort from the fear of leaving this one. You see, I know a lot about fear and I know it does not care what religion you belong to, or even if you belong to one at all.

I think if you want to contemplate it, its your right to do so and if you choose not to that is also your right...ignorance does not play into it.
GBY

Answer 6

Do animals contemplate an after life?
After speaking with my Schnauzer I believe that they do not contemplate much past their five senses.
How could one be ignorant for thinking about anything? Isn't ignorance the lack of knowledge?

Answer 7

Super excellent question. Animals eat, sleep, mate and defend as do humans, but we have one ability that they do not, and that is to be able to question our existence and relationship with God. One has to understand karma and reincarnation to understand the transmigration of the soul. Darwin was somewhat in the right direction but it was evolution of the soul not the body. only one fourth of the souls come to this material world. We evolve through 8,000,000 species of life before we come to the human form of life. Then we get the rare opportunity to get out of this place. If we don't take that chance then there is every chance of falling back to animal life. go to harekrishnatemple.c for all details. Read Bhagavad Gita as it is By Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada- tells the purpose of human life.

Answer 8

Actually I think one of the few things that seperates us from animals is our knowledge of our own mortality. Self-realization is one of the fundamental steps towards sentience.

Answer 9

You have to wonder if elephants going to the elephant graveyard think about such thngs. Obviously they're very intelligent and they know they're about to die.

Answer 10

Chimps are freaked out by death. They probably see it as the END. Elephants bury their dead. No idea why. Dolphins will sacrifice themselves to save one of their own, but once death occurs, it's over. I doubt they see any life after death. But we really can't know unless we can talk to them. Any dog whisperers out there?