Just wondering how everyone feels or thinks about pets being in Heaven?
What's the church's view?
What's the church's view?
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CF has always been a site that welcomes people from different backgrounds and beliefs to participate in discussion and even debate. That is the nature of its ministry. In view of recent events emotions are running very high. We need to remind people of some basic principles in debating on this site. We need to be civil when we express differences in opinion. No personal attacks. Avoid you, your statements. Don't characterize an entire political party with comparisons to Fascism or Communism or other extreme movements that committed atrocities. CF is not the place for broad brush or blanket statements about groups and political parties. Put the broad brushes and blankets away when you come to CF, better yet, put them in the incinerator. Debate had no place for them. We need to remember that people that commit acts of violence represent themselves or a small extreme faction.
Pets in Heaven....
- Thread starter CountryMom
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Rising_Suns
'Christ's desolate heart is in need of comfort'
Hi CountryMom, peace be with you,
The nature of heavenly existence is mostly a mystery. But regarding animals, here is what the CCC says;
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2415 The seventh commandment enjoins respect for the integrity of creation. Animals, like plants and inanimate beings, are by nature destined for the common good of past, present, and future humanity. 195 Use of the mineral, vegetable, and animal resources of the universe cannot be divorced from respect for moral imperatives. Man's dominion over inanimate and other living beings granted by the Creator is not absolute; it is limited by concern for the quality of life of his neighbor, including generations to come; it requires a religious respect for the integrity of creation. 196
2416 Animals are God's creatures. He surrounds them with his providential care. By their mere existence they bless him and give him glory. 197 Thus men owe them kindness. We should recall the gentleness with which saints like St. Francis of Assisi or St. Philip Neri treated animals.
2417 God entrusted animals to the stewardship of those whom he created in his own image. 198 Hence it is legitimate to use animals for food and clothing. They may be domesticated to help man in his work and leisure. Medical and scientific experimentation on animals is a morally acceptable practice if it remains within reasonable limits and contributes to caring for or saving human lives. 2418 It is contrary to human dignity to cause animals to suffer or die needlessly. It is likewise unworthy to spend money on them that should as a priority go to the relief of human misery. One can love animals; one should not direct to them the affection due only to persons.
The nature of heavenly existence is mostly a mystery. But regarding animals, here is what the CCC says;
.
.
.
2415 The seventh commandment enjoins respect for the integrity of creation. Animals, like plants and inanimate beings, are by nature destined for the common good of past, present, and future humanity. 195 Use of the mineral, vegetable, and animal resources of the universe cannot be divorced from respect for moral imperatives. Man's dominion over inanimate and other living beings granted by the Creator is not absolute; it is limited by concern for the quality of life of his neighbor, including generations to come; it requires a religious respect for the integrity of creation. 196
2416 Animals are God's creatures. He surrounds them with his providential care. By their mere existence they bless him and give him glory. 197 Thus men owe them kindness. We should recall the gentleness with which saints like St. Francis of Assisi or St. Philip Neri treated animals.
2417 God entrusted animals to the stewardship of those whom he created in his own image. 198 Hence it is legitimate to use animals for food and clothing. They may be domesticated to help man in his work and leisure. Medical and scientific experimentation on animals is a morally acceptable practice if it remains within reasonable limits and contributes to caring for or saving human lives. 2418 It is contrary to human dignity to cause animals to suffer or die needlessly. It is likewise unworthy to spend money on them that should as a priority go to the relief of human misery. One can love animals; one should not direct to them the affection due only to persons.
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ZooMom said:
LOL! I agree!
My horse dies almost a year ago and my 4 yrd old wondered if God was still "driving" him in heaven. (we drive our horses, not ride. ) We have a new foal due in a month and she's been praying every night for the foal to come out soon. I was hopoing I wasn't misleading her my letting her pray for an animal!
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He'll be there but he will have to share the same kennel as Cujo. Either that or he'll be assinged to toilet duty. See, it all works out in the end.ZooMom said:
Michelle
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Veritas
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Shannon will have a cow (no pun intended) but I do think that our beloved pets can be in Heaven. I don't think of Heaven as an existence for human's and angel's only. There will be beautiful plant life and animal life. All that makes it a paradise will again be present.
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S
St_Joseph_Cupertino
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CountryMom said:
I don't think so...St. Francis of Assisi regarded animals very highly, in fact his first sermon was to birds!
Doesn't the Bible talk about "the lion and the sheep will lie together?"
I tried to explain it the other day, and I reasoned that since Animals are free from origional sin, they are blameless and sinless. So, since they are God's creatures, they will probably go straight to heaven.
I frequently pray for the animals before dinner, and also for some of the shellfish at the Eastern restaurants and shops kept in the cages...I think it's fine praying for animals!
Peace in Christ.
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JJM
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I don't think that animals have souls. THe church to my knowldege has no opinion on the matter. but I think that animals are completely of this world which is why I think (I don't know how theologically sound this argument is) they can act in ways of this world and not sin because they are meant for this world. take that as you will but like my preist say
No one will be looking at the Beatific Vision and say, "Where are the Wombats?"
-Fr. Daniel Schidt
so if they aren't we won't care
No one will be looking at the Beatific Vision and say, "Where are the Wombats?"
-Fr. Daniel Schidt
so if they aren't we won't care
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boughtwithaprice
Legend
This thread reminds me of a funny "All in the Family" episode. Archie Bunker was arguing with Michael "Meathead" Stivic over the existence of heaven.
Meathead: So Archie, you think that when you die you go to heaven?
Archie: Yeah, that's right
Meathead: If a fly dies, would it go to heaven, Arch?
Archie: (thinks for a moment) No, Meathead! Who would want to go to heaven, if it was full of flies?
Meathead: So Archie, you think that when you die you go to heaven?
Archie: Yeah, that's right
Meathead: If a fly dies, would it go to heaven, Arch?
Archie: (thinks for a moment) No, Meathead! Who would want to go to heaven, if it was full of flies?
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JJM said:
Animals do have souls (animating principles [principles of life]), but they are different from our human souls. They are not immortal.
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I asked this question and am really not sure what I believe. It helps me deal with the death of a pet by believing that they are in heaven. It really helped my 4 year old when our horse was put down. I guess I'm not even sure what I would say for comfort if them going to heaven is not an option.
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CountryMom said:
I guess I would say that even if they're not in heaven, God has provided for what they need. Whatever is most proper to each animal species is what God will have done. I don't know if that makes sense. I guess I'm just trying to say that God is good to all of His creatures ... but all of His creatures do not receive that goodness in the same way (and so while we may see it as being unequal, it is entirely proper and appropriate).
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Veritas
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DreamTheater said:
It's not whether we would desire a pet in Heaven, it's whether God allows for many of the wonderful forms of life He has created for our (and His) benefit and pleasure. I just think a Heaven without all of the things that make this life beautiful (except for the fact that those things are in a state of perfection), would be as complete. Further, most people would say that there are beautiful flowers, trees and verdent scenes. Why would we want those either? That isn't the real question. It's whether God wants them. I think that Jesus loves the animals...think sheep!
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cindylou
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I think this is a very interesting question...firstly, I don't think animals have an immortal soul, so that would probably rule them out. But from what I understand, animals are of this world to help us...work, food, clothing, companionship etc. I can't think of a reason why they would "need" to go to heaven. Even though it's comforting to "think" that my dog of 12 years, Buffy, is there, I don't think it's a reality. Now maybe God has provided for creatures to be there for joy or something but Fido meeting me in heaven just doesn't jive....Sorry, but that is what I believe and I don't think the Church has really provided us with a definite yes or no.
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