Freethought & Rationalism Archive

hinduwoman · 08-09-2003, 08:38 PM

Can animals go to heaven?
http://www.beliefnet.com/frameset.as...&boardID=58737

Quote:

Redeem animals from what? Not their own sins?
You have to rethink heaven. It's not just for people who sin--it's for any creature who has suffered, whose life has been incomplete, who's been a victim. Heaven is about the restoration of all things to their original goodness.
I wouldn't want to go around judging everyone who eats meat, but I do think vegetarianism is an act that witnesses to our faith.
When you say that the Bible mentions animals in heaven, do you mean a verse like "the lion shall lie down with the lamb"?
In the Hebrew prophets, definitely. A lot of people know that Isaiah passage, but there are many more such passages in Amos, Micah, and Ezekiel that portray the Kingdom of God as a restoration of the world to its Edenic state. It portrays that world as entailing peace between humans and animals, not just peace between humans.

What is orthodox Christianity's opinion about it?

SignOfTheCross · 08-09-2003, 09:39 PM

Animals were created mortal, hence without a soul. They do not go to heaven, however I think when they die they are in the everlasting presence of God's love.

Peace,
SOTC

Magus55 · 08-09-2003, 09:46 PM

The Bible doesn't really mention anything about animals in Heaven, but since God created animals in Eden while it was still perfect, for Adam to take care of, I don't see why they wouldn't be in Heaven.

Doctor X · 08-09-2003, 09:48 PM

Since man is an animal. . . .

Why is everyone descriminating against plants?

--J.D.

AJ113 · 08-09-2003, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Magus55
The Bible doesn't really mention anything about animals in Heaven, but since God created animals in Eden while it was still perfect, for Adam to take care of, I don't see why they wouldn't be in Heaven.

So you think that your god would save all animals, yet have no problem letting the greater percentage of humanity burn in hell for etenity?

Gawdawful · 08-09-2003, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Doctor X
Since man is an animal. . . .

Why is everyone descriminating against plants?

--J.D.

And what about insects and microscopic organisms? Oh, they're probably banished to hell. I can imagine no hell worse than Oklahoma unless it has more damned insects.

Warren in Oklahoma, silly as ever

Doctor X · 08-09-2003, 10:16 PM

Not exactly, all the cats go to hell.

--J.D.

Marduk · 08-10-2003, 03:44 PM

I know that some of the more extreme Orthodox Jews take that lamb lying down with the lion stuff seriously. When the Kingdom of God comes, they believe, not only will animals be there, but they will have the same type of consciousness as humans, talking, thinking etc. No one or thing will hunt or eat each other anymore. Sounds sort of cool actually.
I know St. Francis preached to the animals, (I always liked him) so there may be some Catholic precedent for animals being in Heaven. Who�d want to go there if they couldn�t bring their dog?
I don�t know what fundys think. Since they are usually Republicans I guess they say its OK to kill and destroy whatever you like if you can make a buck on it. Man having �dominion� and all that crap.
Fundy Heaven, Only assholes need apply.

08-10-2003, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by hinduwoman
Can animals go to heaven?
http://www.beliefnet.com/frameset.as...&boardID=58737

What is orthodox Christianity's opinion about it?

Animals have a soul but do not go to heaven because Catholic baptism is required to get to heaven.

Doctor X · 08-10-2003, 10:00 PM

What if heaven is Jewish?

Your dog gets to go but you do if you are Catholic. . . .

--J.D.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

08-09-2003, 09:39 PM	#2
SignOfTheCross Regular Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 167	Animals were created mortal, hence without a soul. They do not go to heaven, however I think when they die they are in the everlasting presence of God's love. Peace, SOTC

08-09-2003, 09:46 PM	#3
Magus55 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: USA Posts: 7,204	The Bible doesn't really mention anything about animals in Heaven, but since God created animals in Eden while it was still perfect, for Adam to take care of, I don't see why they wouldn't be in Heaven.

08-09-2003, 09:48 PM	#4
Doctor X Banned Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: USA Posts: 3,794	Since man is an animal. . . . Why is everyone descriminating against plants? --J.D.

08-09-2003, 10:16 PM	#7
Doctor X Banned Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: USA Posts: 3,794	Not exactly, all the cats go to hell. --J.D.

08-10-2003, 03:44 PM	#8
Marduk Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: the 10th planet Posts: 5,065	I know that some of the more extreme Orthodox Jews take that lamb lying down with the lion stuff seriously. When the Kingdom of God comes, they believe, not only will animals be there, but they will have the same type of consciousness as humans, talking, thinking etc. No one or thing will hunt or eat each other anymore. Sounds sort of cool actually. I know St. Francis preached to the animals, (I always liked him) so there may be some Catholic precedent for animals being in Heaven. Who�d want to go there if they couldn�t bring their dog? I don�t know what fundys think. Since they are usually Republicans I guess they say its OK to kill and destroy whatever you like if you can make a buck on it. Man having �dominion� and all that crap. Fundy Heaven, Only assholes need apply.

08-10-2003, 10:00 PM	#10
Doctor X Banned Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: USA Posts: 3,794	What if heaven is Jewish? Your dog gets to go but you do if you are Catholic. . . . --J.D.

Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The archives are read only.