Do you think animals go to heaven?

[escape]

“God will prepare everything for our perfect happiness in heaven, and if it takes my dog being there, I believe he'll be there” - Billy Graham

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

A few quotes to smile at and poems to make dog lovers cry

"You think dogs will not be in heaven?
I tell you, they will be there long before any of us."
Robert Louis Stevenson

If I have any beliefs about immortality,
it is that certain dogs I have known will go to heaven,
and very, very few persons.
James Thurber

"If there are no dogs in Heaven,
then when I die I want to go
where they went."
Will Rogers, 1897-1935

THE CURATE THINKS YOU HAVE NO SOUL
The curate thinks you have no soul;
I know that he has none. But you,
Dear friend, whose solemn self-control,
In our foursquare familiar pew,
Was pattern to my youth -- whose bark
Called me in summer dawns to rove --
Have you gone down into the dark
Where none is welcome -- none may love?
I will not think those good brown eyes
Have spent their life of truth so soon;
But in some canine paradise
Your wraith, I know, rebukes the moon,
And quarters every plain and hill,
Seeking his master... As for me,
This prayer at least the gods fulfill;
That when I pass the flood and see
Old Charon by the Stygian coast
Take toll of all the shades who land,
Your little, faithful, barking ghost
May leap to lick my phantom hand.

-- St.John Lucas

"Heaven goes by favour. If it went by merit,
you would stay out and your dog would go in."
Mark Twain

Sometimes he sits at your feet looking into your
face with an expression so gentle and caressing that
the depth of his gaze startles you. Who can believe
that there is no soul behind those luminous eyes!"
Theophile Gautier

Once a dog has entwined himself round your heart
he is not only yours for life, but you are his.
When he is gone, his place is forever sacred.
Other dogs are just as precious
but they all have their allotted spot in your
affections kept for them or their memory.
A heaven without one's dogs
would not be the heaven we hoped for.
A dog is always man's best friend.
Written By: anonymous

A DOG FOR JESUS
I wish someone had given Jesus a dog
As loyal and loving as mine
To sleep by His manger and gaze in His eyes
And adore Him for being divine.

As our Lord grew to manhood His faithful dog
Would have followed Him all through the day
While He preached to the crowds and made the sick well
And knelt in the garden to pray.

It is sad to remember that Christ went away
To face death alone and apart
With no tender dog following close behind
To comfort its Master's Heart.

And when Jesus rose on that Easter morn
How happy He would have been
As His dog kissed His hands and barked its delight
For The One who died for all men.

Well, the Lord has a dog now, I just sent Him mine
The old pal so dear to me
And I smile through my tears on this first day alone
Knowing they're in eternity.

Day after day, the whole day through
Wherever my road inclined
Four feet said, "I am coming with you!"
And trotted along behind.


Written By: Rudyard Kipling​

 

[Pin Wizard]

Absolutely! Pets bring so much joy and happiness to people. How can they not be there?! aw: aw: aw: ug:

Oh, no!!! Our paw and pug smilies are messed up!

 

[Aurora63]

I once had a dream that an old family cat who had passed, Smurf (hey I was 5 and the smurfs were cool) was the official greeter at a McDonalds up in Heaven. It makes me happy just to think about that dream. Another friends cat was there too, in real life she was always skittish, but she was very friendly in Heaven.

I also met three more of our former cats, they had all been from the same litter. They came walking towards me glowingthis kind of gold light. It was beautiful.

Then I met my old dog. At first she was scared, but then she realized it was me, and was just leaping with joy.

It was kind of sad to wake up from all that. Yes, I believe animals go to Heaven.

 

[Mermaid02]

They go to the heaven I believe in.

 

[Mermaid02]

I don't believe they do. And I hope they aren't there, the last thing I'll need is allergies in heaven

There are no allergies in my heaven- that's what makes it heavenly.

 

[Rex Rules]

I ABSOLUTELY believe that animals go to heaven.

The most offensive thing my mother in law has ever said to me (and she has said plenty that has ticked me off) was that animals do not go to heaven. I wanted to hit her.

I hope to see my doggie again someday over the Rainbow Bridge!!

 

[Stitchfans]

That was a beautiful story. I would like to believe I will see my fur babies in heaven too. Sure hope I do.

 

[numbersman]

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. God breathed the breath of life into man (Genesis 2:7), and animals (Genesis 1:30; 6:17; 7:15,22). 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.

 

[cardaway]

It is impossible to say definitively whether some of these animals might be pets we had while here on earth.

Thanks for clearing that up. Good to know the definitive answer.

 

[andromedaslove]

Of course no one knows for sure. However, I believe they do and here's why. When my grandmother was dying of Colon Cancer she would sometimes lay in bed and would be talking to people who we all knew to have died already. Some were her family, others were just people she had worked with or known. One day though as I was watching over her she started rubbing her chest, almost like she was petting an animal, and I asked her what she was doing, and asked her if her chest hurt. She told me no that she was petting my kitty. Confused I asked her what kitty she was talking about. She told me she was petting my little white kitty "trouble". Well, Trouble had been dead for almost a year, and my Granny had only seen her a couple of times while visiting from Tennessee. Yet, there she was clear as day to her, laying on her chest and being petted. Later that night my granny passed away.

The only way I have to rationalize that is that she was already seeing the people that were waiting for her, and that's where my kitty was too. Waiting for her to come home. To some people it may sound a bit crazy, but that's why I believe.

Dana

 

[Mom2Ashli]

If my animals don't go to heaven than I want to go where they are.

I would like to believe it is heaven.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

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.

I appreciate the theory but I happen to disagree with the basic premise and therefore conclusion.

Animals most certainly have spirituality, mind, emotion and will. Just ask anyone who's loved and been loved by a pet. Or a parent whose child was protected by an animal. Or a family whose lives were saved by an animal. Or anyone who works with animals. Or owners of an animal that's found it's way home from across the country. Etc. What were once thought of as "dumb animals" we now understand are capable of much, much more.

Alternatively, one could interpret the "likeness of God" as being kindhearted and good as well; therefore not all humans would fit that mold, but many animals would.

 

[numbersman]

I appreciate the theory but I happen to disagree with the basic premise and therefore conclusion.

Animals most certainly have spirituality, mind, emotion and will. Just ask anyone who's loved and been loved by a pet. Or a parent whose child was protected by an animal. Or a family whose lives were saved by an animal. Or anyone who works with animals. Or owners of an animal that's found it's way home from across the country. Etc. What were once thought of as "dumb animals" we now understand are capable of much, much more.

Alternatively, one could interpret the "likeness of God" as being kindhearted and good as well; therefore not all humans would fit that mold, but many animals would.

While I appreciate everyone's love of their particular pets, and their wishes that they always be with them, including after this life is over, and while I appreciate your words above in disagreement with what I posted, I also disagree with your basic premises and conclusion, as well.

We must be careful not to attribute human qualities to animals. Animals clearly are NOT human, and while they may do things that can seem like they would be human-like, they are just "things" that they do, based on familiarity and instinct. You say animals "most certainly have spirituality, mind, emotion and will." How do you know "most certainly"? Is a dog or cat capable of making a "spiritual" decision as to salvation, heaven, etc...? Clearly not. They have instincts, but their minds don't function as human minds do. I don't know whether they have strong emotions or not. They can appear sad, and obviously can have emotions such as anger, but what are they derived from? I don't know. But as to the choice of being able to go to heaven, this is reserved in the Bible specifically for those who make the choice to accept Jesus, which an animal clearly cannot do.

Additionally, one could interpret the "likeness of God" as being kindhearted and good, but this isn't what these words were intended to convey. Obviously, we are not EXACTLY like God, or we would also be God ourselves, which clearly we are not. So when the Bible says the image or likeness, it doesn't mean possessing EVERY trait that God has. So it doesn't seem as if you can say that "not all humans would fit that mold, but many animals would", b/c to do so would be to not only say a dog is in God's likeness, but also that a dog is in a human's likeness, which clearly isn't the case.

I think the important thing to think about is the state of heaven. When those who will go there arrive, they will have one thing that they will want to do - praise God all the time, b/c of His glory. Scripture is pretty clear on that. I'm sure there will be other things, such as meeting relatives, that will bring us joy, but God will be our chief joy in heaven. And there will be no disappointment, so if animals (specifically pets) aren't up there, you won't miss them.

 

[CheshireVal]

Additionally, one could interpret the "likeness of God" as being kindhearted and good, but this isn't what these words were intended to convey. Obviously, we are not EXACTLY like God, or we would also be God ourselves, which clearly we are not. So when the Bible says the image or likeness, it doesn't mean possessing EVERY trait that God has. So it doesn't seem as if you can say that "not all humans would fit that mold, but many animals would", b/c to do so would be to not only say a dog is in God's likeness, but also that a dog is in a human's likeness, which clearly isn't the case.

But you're trying to interpret the Bible for us, which is wrong. Since I'm assuming you didn't write the Bible, you can't really state with any sort of certainty what it is, exactly, the words in question ("the likeness of God") were intended to convey.

 

[poohandwendy]

But you're trying to interpret the Bible for us, which is wrong. Since I'm assuming you didn't write the Bible, you can't really state with any sort of certainty what it is, exactly, the words in question ("the likeness of God") were intended to convey.
__________________

ITA. Nor can he state with any certainty what animals are capable of, or what their purpose is here in this world or in the afterlife.

 

[alliecats]

But you're trying to interpret the Bible for us, which is wrong. Since I'm assuming you didn't write the Bible, you can't really state with any sort of certainty what it is, exactly, the words in question ("the likeness of God") were intended to convey.

Exactly.

Animals are without sin. Humans are not. Maybe God did not feel the need to test them...they are already worthy. Maybe things are spelled out for us, because we have to work at it. Just because we "know" God on a different level due to our capacities, does not signify to me that they do not "know" God on a level due to their capacities, which we can't know or understand--maybe are not meant to know or understand.

A poster earlier said it would be weird to see dinosaurs in heaven. I thought that was funny because I had never thought about that, and YES it would be!! But then I got to thinking it would also be even weirder to see something like, say, the Manson family there. And technically they could end up there, if they repent, are forgiven, and recognize Jesus as their savior, right? Even believing that, it would still be very strange for me to see Charley up there, much stranger than seeing a beloved pet or even a T-rex.

 

[beattyfamily]

My religion teaches that only humans can go to heaven because only humans have a soul BUT I am not all knowing so I don't know what will happen and I do find comfort thinking that maybe I'll be reunited with my furry friends someday.

If my girls were to ask me I would tell them what my religion teaches and then tell them but I don't know for sure and I kind of hope that they will be there.

It's an opinion, period. No one on earth knows for sure what will happen after we die. No one.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

They have instincts, but their minds don't function as human minds do.

numbersman, meet Koko.

Koko the gorilla learns sign language

Last month we told you about N'kisi - the parrot that had a vocabulary of nearly 1000 words. This month we thought we would tell you about Koko - the gorilla that learns sign language.

Many of you may already have heard of Koko, he is the mascot for the Gorilla Foundation.

The primary programme of The Gorilla Foundation involves teaching American Sign Language to two lowland gorillas, Koko and Michael (who recently passed away). The Gorilla Language Project, or Project Koko, is the longest continuous inter-species communications project of its kind in the world, and it serves as a unique and irreplaceable resource for the international conservation community.

Studying gorilla intelligence and behaviour will lead to a greater understanding of the species' physical and psychological needs. Only through knowledge can humans take the necessary steps to improve the treatment of captive gorillas and protect free-living gorillas from extinction.

Koko, a female lowland gorilla born in 1971, uses sign language and understands spoken English. Koko's participation in this study began when she was one year old. Her intellectual, physical, and linguistic development has been studied extensively since her infancy. Before Project Koko, very little was known about gorilla intelligence.

The Gorilla Language Project is both an effort to gather data about gorilla language and a case study of observed gorilla behaviour and utterances. All signs, the context in which they occurred, the number of repetitions, and anything unusual that might have occurred during signing are recorded daily. The project administers informal and formal tests of vocabulary comprehension and of the understanding of relationships between objects and words, as well as standard child intelligence tests. There are also periodic video-taped sessions and audio-taped recordings.

During the course of the study, Koko has advanced further with language than any other non-human. Koko has a working vocabulary of over 1000 signs. Koko understands approximately 2,000 words of spoken English. Koko initiates the majority of conversations with her human companions and typically constructs statements averaging three to six words. Koko has a tested IQ of between 70 and 95 on a human scale, where 100 is considered "normal."

In addition to intensive studies of vocabulary acquisition, the project has investigated spontaneous gorilla language use. This involves the study of innovative linguistic strategies, invention of new signs and compound words, simultaneous signing, self-directed signing, displacement, prevarication, reference to time and emotional states, gestural modulation, metaphorical word use, humour, definition, argument, insult, threat, fantasy play, storytelling and moral judgment. The depth and variety of gorilla language use has significantly exceeded initial expectations. Indeed, evidence has been found for the existence, in less developed form, of almost every aspect of human behaviour.

Project Koko is the cornerstone of TGF/Koko.org's work. By demonstrating the intelligence of gorillas, TGF/Koko.org can more effectively lobby for the humane treatment of captive animals and increased conservation efforts for those that are free-living. Project Koko has proven the stereotyped image of gorillas as blood-thirsty, destructive monsters unequivocally false. Indeed, it has forced a re-examination of traditional thought regarding all animals. The project has shown that an animal can possess qualities that were previously considered exclusively human, such as thought processes, imagination and feelings. This knowledge is crucial to all animal advocacy efforts, from the prevention of cruelty to animals to the conservation and preservation of endangered species.

The study of gorilla language acquisition sheds light on the vital connection between gorillas and their sibling species, **** sapiens. Project Koko has contributed to the study of the evolution and development of human communication and suggests a gestural origin of human language.

Source: The Gorilla Foundation

 

[poohandwendy]

Thanks for posting that article Pea-n-Me, fascinating! I have heard of Koko, but nothing recent.

There is so much we do not know...well, except that humans are very arrogant to think that the world is all about us and that we have little understanding of the complex animal world.