My child's religion teacher told her that her pet will not go to heaven!?

Question

The teacher (catholic) told the whole class of children this and now many are really upset. Apparently animals have no souls in the Catholic religion. Would you be upset if this happened to you? Our pet recently passed away and she can't stop crying.

Answer 1

Every person AND animal has a soul . . . it's G-d's word.

In Genesis 9: 5, G-d says that He "will demand an accounting from every man and every beast."

It's interesting to note that G-d Himself will judge the souls of the animals . . . ( pretty soft job, since the animals never defied G-d or turned from the natures with which they were created ) but that the souls of men will be judged by those of their fellow men.

That's a scary thought . . . !

Those who deny that animals have souls should be reincarnated as lab experiment animals for vivisectionists.

Answer 2

The Bible does not give any specific teaching on whether pets / animals have “souls” or whether pets / animals will be in heaven. However, we can take some general Scriptural principles and shed some light on the subject. The Bible states that both man (Genesis 2:7) and animals (Genesis 1:30; 6:17; 7:15,22) have the breath of life. The primary difference between human beings and animals is that man is made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27). Animals are not made in the image and likeness of God. Being made in the image and likeness of God means that human being are like God, capable of spirituality, with mind, emotion, and will - and - have an aspect of being that continues after death. If pets / animals do have a “soul” or immaterial aspect, it must therefore be of a different and lesser "quality." This difference probably means that pet / animal “souls” do not carry on after death.

Another factor to consider in this question is that God did create animals as a part of His creative process in Genesis. God created the animals and said they were good (Genesis 1:25). Therefore, there is no reason why there could not be animals on the new earth (Revelation 21:1). There will most definitely be animals during the millennial kingdom (Isaiah 11:6; 65:25). It is impossible to say definitively whether some of these animals might be pets we had while here on earth. We do know that God is just and that when we get to Heaven we will find ourselves in complete agreement with His decision on this issue, whatever it may be.

Answer 3

Nobody's been to heaven and back. No one has ever isolated a "soul" to even know that such things exist. It follows that:

- Your child's teacher doesn't know whether or not pets go to heaven.
- Your child's teacher doesn't know whether or not *people* go to heaven.
- Pope Benedict XVI doesn't know whether or not pets or people go to heaven.
- Neither Pope Benedict XVI nor your child's teacher knows if there is even a heaven in the first place.

I don't know how to comfort a child who's just lost a pet; especially a child who believes in heaven, and has thus been dealt insult to injury by this teacher. But i do know that a lot of people are proclaiming things that they don't know.

Answer 4

When I was 5, (in the early 70's), I went to my neighborhood muscular dystrophy carnival held in someone's back yard to help gather money for "Jerry's Kids".

One of the attractions at this carnival was a little 8 year old girl, reading tarot cards to anyone who paid 25 cents.

I had no idea what tarot cards were, but went in, and got my "reading".

My babysitter walked me back to her house, where her mom, a fundamentalist Baptist, proceeded to tell me I was going to burn in hell. I can't describe this in words, but she was very animated and dramatic in her prediction of my fiery demise in the underworld. (remember, I was FIVE YEARS OLD).

That was my first taste of organized religion. It got worse from there.

My other neighbor was molested by a priest (she was catholic).

My best friend was lutheran and was smacked with a ruler several times in front of me while attending sunday school with her.

I found out that before I was born, my parents weren't allowed to join a methodist church in Kansas City, MO, because their income level didn't meet the church's standards.

Does your daughter go to a CATHOLIC school?
Maybe it's time to take her out? Honestly, if it is a catholic school, and you don't believe the doctrine of the school, take your daughter out, and seriously give your religion some extra thought. Maybe it isn't the religion you need.

On a lighter note, have you watched the movie Chocolat (w/ juliette binoche)? There is a scene where the same situation about dogs not going to heaven in the Catholic religion. You should watch the movie for that scene alone:

A young priest is reprimanding an elderly man for letting his dog eat chocolate during lent. I'll leave it at that. lol...gotta see that movie.

The varying answers you are getting among the christians (soul, no soul, "different soul")...is the reason I left christianity. Each christian believes such different things, and interprets the bible to their liking (or their leader's liking), and thinks all the other christians are wrong.

Sounds like they need another politician like Constantine to narrow it down again to bring them all together again. Won't be in this country...USA has separation of church/state.

Answer 5

So ask this Catholic teacher to explain exactly why St. Francis of Assisi wasted his life preaching to the animals - and why Catholic churches in many areas of the country set aside a day when they "bless the beasts."

We will None of us be the same when we enter the afterlife; why should it be any different for animals? I'm sure God has a place for them or He would have wasted his time in creating them.

Answer 6

My next door neighbor said the same...she also does not believe loved ones look down over us because of all the sadness.If you wish to continue at a catholic school expect more... work closer with the teacher and learn what they will be teaching to be better prepared next time.

Answer 7

I was taught that when animals/pets die, they cross the rainbow bridge, perhaps this will help your daughter. Sorry, but I don't buy into the idea that animals have no souls - they are living beings capable of thought and emotion - and they are more intelligent than most people I know! Below is the story of the rainbow bridge.

"Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies it goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.... "

~ author unknown

Answer 8

People should really mind what they say to Children,, Up to a certain age,, But if they are a young child not able to cope as a adult would,, they should not say such things,,, I am a Christian and we debate this very thing,, it is not clear in the Bible if our pets will be with us,, But I know it speaks of Horses in Revelation,, so if you want to comfort your Child let them know that horses are spoken of so maybe our pets will be there too.. at least until they can form their our ideal on this subject....

Answer 9

I would assume pets would be with us in Heaven. After all we go to Heaven because we believed and were good decent people. Heaven is suppose to be award what would living through he rest of eternity be if i couldn't have my cat with me. After all pets get us through some of the toughest things we have to go through. Because unlike a human a pet loves you no matter what and they are always there for you. Always willing to let you just hold them and gain comfort from it. The same cannot be said of family and friends.

Answer 10

I would be totally PO'd. Regardless of the teachers belief it served no point, other than to upset her, to tell it to your daughter. I personally think animals will be in heaven. I think I would complain to the principal, or whoever. I would request another teacher for your child. Who knows what other words of wisdom the teacher is going to impart to the class.