Do animals have souls?

[Storyteller]

I have a major stumbling block here as a Christian minister I know claims animals have no soul so won`t be present in Heaven. That`s not how I see it. I think they do have souls, maybe not made in God`s image but a soul nonetheless.
Maybe it depends on how you interpret a "soul"?

I think, and I could be way off the mark here, that animals have automatic entry into Heaven as they have no sin. An animal doesn`t sin does it? It just lives and lives as it should. Our pets perhaps teach us more about unconditional love than many humans, isn`t this what God is about? Love?

Maybe, it`s only us humans that are capable of sin so we are the only beings that need Christ for salvation?

The idea of Heaven without animals isn`t something I really want to believe in but that doesn`t mean that it isn`t possible.

Thoughts would be appreciated.

[Byblos]

If you were to subscribe to Tomistic/Scholastic thinkers then your question is easily answerable. The soul is that which animates the body, hence any thing that exhibits animation of any kind is said to have a soul, including plants. The next question is what kind of soul. There are 3 basic types of souls: 1) non-sentient non-rational souls such as plants, sentient non-rational souls such as animals, and sentient and rational souls such as humans. It is the latter that is said to be made in the image of God. Although there are some (including the current Pope) that say animal souls may also go to heaven but I suspect that was not an ex cathedra statement.

[Storyteller]

Does it not say in the Bible though that the lion lay down with the lamb?

Is that meant to mean animals will be in Heaven or is it more of an image of eternal peace?

[Byblos]

Does it not say in the Bible though that the lion lay down with the lamb?

Is that meant to mean animals will be in Heaven or is it more of an image of eternal peace?

I think it was more metaphorical than literal, meaning whosoever were once enemies will become brothers and sisters in Christ. But it wouldn't surprise me in the least if it were literal too, nor would it change what I believe.

[Storyteller]

I can live with that

Just out of interest what do you believe?

[Byblos]

I can live with that

Just out of interest what do you believe?

I walked right into that one, didn 't I! Well for most people it would probably take pages and pages of personal history. For me it is summed up in one word: Catholic. That is who I am, that is what I believe.

[Philip]

My observations: My dog indeed does have a soul. But our cat - not so much. And I can tell he really lusts for our parakeets!

[Storyteller]

To Byblos.... You did rather

I`ve never really looked into the nuances of different schools of Christianity, so Catholic doesn`t explain what you believe to me.

Okay, let me ask you this.... do you, personally, believe animals will be with us in Heaven?

I do but I haven`t researched the possibility yet, nor have I read an awful lot of the Bible but I`m thinking a God that loves us and all that is in the universe would include animals in Heaven.

Paul.... that`s a very scary looking cat!

[Byblos]

To Byblos.... You did rather

I`ve never really looked into the nuances of different schools of Christianity, so Catholic doesn`t explain what you believe to me.

Okay, let me ask you this.... do you, personally, believe animals will be with us in Heaven?

I do but I haven`t researched the possibility yet, nor have I read an awful lot of the Bible but I`m thinking a God that loves us and all that is in the universe would include animals in Heaven.

On a personal level I do believe all souls return to the Father. Whether or not we will be made aware of them is anyone's guess. My personal attachment to my dog Charlie would make me say yes, but who knows, really.

Paul.... that`s a very scary looking cat!

I agree (Lord help me, I simply don't like cats).

[RickD]

My observations: My dog indeed does have a soul. But our cat - not so much. And I can tell he really lusts for our parakeets!

Philip, is that really your cat? They say pets look like their owners!

[Storyteller]

To Byblos.... You did rather

I`ve never really looked into the nuances of different schools of Christianity, so Catholic doesn`t explain what you believe to me.

Okay, let me ask you this.... do you, personally, believe animals will be with us in Heaven?

I do but I haven`t researched the possibility yet, nor have I read an awful lot of the Bible but I`m thinking a God that loves us and all that is in the universe would include animals in Heaven.

On a personal level I do believe all souls return to the Father. Whether or not we will be made aware of them is anyone's guess. My personal attachment to my dog Charlie would make me say yes, but who knows, really.

Paul.... that`s a very scary looking cat!

I agree (Lord help me, I simply don't like cats).

I hope we are aware, I think its too good an example of love for us not to be.

Cats are cool too..... but I'm more of a dog person. And horses. There has to be horses in Heaven.

[Philip]

Philip, is that really your cat?

Actually it's not my cat, but it is the identical breed (a "Flame" Ragdoll), and one with very similar markings. And he does spend hours plotting by the parakeets' cage.

Here's my actual cat - his name is Saber (short for Sabertooth).



And, no, he doesn't have a soul, but he is a pretty cool cat (and I"m not particularly big on cats).

[RickD]

Philip, is that really your cat?

Actually it's not my cat, but it is the identical breed (a "Flame" Ragdoll), and one with very similar markings. And he does spend hours plotting by the parakeets' cage.

Here's my actual cat - his name is Saber (short for Sabertooth).



And, no, he doesn't have a soul, but he is a pretty cool cat (and I"m not particularly big on cats).

I can't believe you think your cat has no soul.

I know my cat has soul. He's a black cat. He must have soul!

[Storyteller]

Philip, your cat is gorgeous!

And I think he has a soul.

[Rob]

OOH FLUFFY KITTY