Christian issues

meowcat

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I am a committed Christian, and I have one major issue with it as a Religion. Animals do not go to heaven, and I can't bear the thought of spending an eternity without seeing my babies. If Jesus loved us, and wanted us to be happy in the hereafter, then why can't our Kittys go to Heaven? It's really unfair.
 

otto

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Who says animals don't go to heaven? They have the purest souls of all. I haven't the slightest doubt I will be reunited with all my Bridge Angels when my time comes.
 
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meowcat

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Our Pastor and all our Elders, say the Lord is very clear on this, and that animals, having no souls, cannot pass into the Kingdom. They do not know sin, or thier creator, or good from evil, and they pass below.
But I'm not sure I want to go to Heaven if my pets can't come. I have even made arrangement in my Will, so my babies will be put painlessly to sleep, so they won't miss me. It would be such a wasted effort if they cannot be with me in Heaven.
 

ut0pia

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If there was a heaven and Jake couldn't come I wouldn't want to go either.
Maybe find another church that has a different interpretation of this issue.
 

pookie-poo

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I have absolutely no doubt that they will be with us in Heaven. God provides for our happiness in Heaven. If our happiness is contingent upon our pets being with us throughout eternity, then He will provide that for us.
 

tico

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Meowcat,

While the Bible doesn't specifically state whether we will meet our own pets in Heaven, there is simply not enough information given in the Bible to build a doctrine saying they surely won't be there.

But one thing we do know is how He cares for them.

Revelation 4:11 tells us that all things were created for God’s pleasure.

Matthew 10:29 says that even when a little sparrow falls to the ground, God notices.

Luke 12:6 says that God never forgets about the animals.

Matthew 6:26 describes how God Himself feeds the animals.

Proverbs 12:10 declares that a righteous man cares for the needs of his animals.

Job 12:10 assures us that “In His hand is the life of every creature.”

Psalm 36:6 speaks to how God preserves both man and creature.

The Bible does mention animals being present both in Heaven and on the new earth. So while we don't know all the answers, we can rest in the knowledge that He loves us and will look to all our needs both now and in the future. Do I hope Sophie will be there - with all my heart! But I find peace in trusting Him, because He knows my honest desires and loves and will see to (as Pooki-poo stated) my complete happiness. Whatever that is, I trust Him. I hope that helps a little.
 

cococat

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I am a Christian and there is no doubt in my mind I will see my animal friends.
 

catkiki

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Check out this website for more info, Meowcat

http://www.woodhavenlabs.com/animals-heaven2.html

Will Animals be in Heaven?


Animals have praise sessions - they worship the Lord Jesus Christ!
Many of the greatest theological scholars, both past and present, emphatically and dogmatically taught and teach that our little furry and feathered friends will be in heaven with us including Billy Graham ... W. A. Criswell ... Edward Hinson ... J. Vernon McGee ... Dr. John Walvoord ... among numerous others!
 
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meowcat

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Originally Posted by Catkiki

Check out this website for more info, Meowcat

http://www.woodhavenlabs.com/animals-heaven2.html
I'd like to believe that, I really would, but my Church are Strict Observance Baptists, and if they even knew I was asking this they would arrange a re-orientation for me. Which I don't want to put them to the trouble of arranging.
But I think I will only know for sure when I am living in Heaven, with Lord Jesus.
 

tico

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Originally Posted by MeowCat

I'd like to believe that, I really would, but my Church are Strict Observance Baptists, and if they even knew I was asking this they would arrange a re-orientation for me. Which I don't want to put them to the trouble of arranging.
But I think I will only know for sure when I am living in Heaven, with Lord Jesus.
Jesus loved you enough to die for you. Look to Him and not man for peace for your uncertainty. Man will always fail you -- don't place anyone's word or opinion above God's own.
 

laureen227

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Originally Posted by Pookie-poo

God provides for our happiness in Heaven. If our happiness is contingent upon our pets being with us throughout eternity, then He will provide that for us.
it's similar to what my mom has said - the Bible says there will be no marriage in Heaven, & that all will love/be loved equally. she says she can't conceive of not loving my father more than any other person [aside from her children], but we simply aren't capable of that understanding this side of Heaven.
simply put - Pookie-poo is correct. we will be happy - if our furangels are necessary for that, they will be there. if they aren't necessary, they'll be elsewhere - but i absolutely REFUSE to believe they would be in an unhappy/unpleasant place, regardless.
 

bellaandme

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While searching for something more in Life many years ago, I joined a church that I enjoyed very much. Unfortunately, they too, believed that animals have no soul and can't go to heaven. I dropped out of that church. How can God create a living creature and NOT give it a Soul? This has been a major issue with me and some "man made" religions. What I prefer to believe is that if we have loved these precious gifts in this world then we WILL be reunited with them in the Afterlife. If there is a True Heaven ALL the people and animals we have loved should be there. If not, what is the point in trying to get there?
I don't know if anyone believes in "after death experiences" but there have been many people (children included) that have died and come back. In a lot of their accounts they have stated seeing their pets as well as loved family members. So who is to say?
My Heaven includes all my adored cats and my mom. That's where I want to go.
 

StefanZ

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Now, Christianity is in essential the story about God and humans.

My belief it is as simple as that.

This is why there isnt not much said about animals. That story is another chapter, not written yet.
Although some IS said in the Bible, as shortly mentioned earlier. It IS thus entirely clear God DOES care about animals and animals welfare too.
Both in the Jewish version and the Christian version. And in some degree, in the Moslem version too.


There is possibly the question if animals souls go on into the human paradise. THIS is not sure.

I myself wouldnt have problems with that. But I understand there may be a problem to know which of them animals will go to the human paradise...
I CAN think of several plausible possibilities. The best is perhaps the loving souls drawing to each other? Both human lovers and humans and their pets...
but it would be speculations.

This is why it is easier to think about the Rainbow-country for our furry fellows and their souls.... This being a safe bet.
 

mrblanche

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Originally Posted by MeowCat

I am a committed Christian, and I have one major issue with it as a Religion. Animals do not go to heaven, and I can't bear the thought of spending an eternity without seeing my babies. If Jesus loved us, and wanted us to be happy in the hereafter, then why can't our Kittys go to Heaven? It's really unfair.
Just to make it clear, whether or not animals go to heaven according to any religious dogma (pardon the pun!) is just that, a belief formulated by humans, often to justify their treatment of animals.

In my opinion, you're welcome to believe what you want to believe. Just because some preacher or teacher says otherwise means nothing to me.

After all, we ARE talking about a God who is said to know even when a sparrow dies.

I suspect that the belief in the Rainbow Bridge is largely a reaction to this religious teaching that we are essentially different from all other animals.

The Rainbow Bridge

This is one of the reasons Mark Twain eventually rejected organized religion.

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

Just in passing, there are biblical texts that refer to animals as "souls."
 

c1atsite

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Hi Tico. I just wanted to add another quote to your list

It's the famous wolf with lamb verse - Isaiah 11:6-7 Link

... but read Isaiah 11:1-10 for the full context
 

catkiki

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Originally Posted by MeowCat

I'd like to believe that, I really would, but my Church are Strict Observance Baptists, and if they even knew I was asking this they would arrange a re-orientation for me. Which I don't want to put them to the trouble of arranging.
But I think I will only know for sure when I am living in Heaven, with Lord Jesus.
I don't really know what the pastors of my church believe on this subject. I belong to an Interdenominational Church. They just teach from the Bible, without the interpretations of a specific denomination. We have all kinds of people from different backgrounds. I was raised Pentecostal, my husband was raised catholic. We have Baptist, Lutheran and Jehovah's Witness among others. If we have a question, we are free to ask it. We will not have to go through any re-orientation. In fact, I will ask one of our pastors this morning his thoughts.

My opinion is if my church forced me to believe as they do and would not even let me question their beliefs and why they believe that, then I would find another, more tolerant church to attend.

I was blessed, that when DH and I came back to the Lord in July 2009, He led us to the church we now attend. They are a super friendly church with sound teaching. My church does not judge people by their appearance, race or background. Everyone is welcomed. Regardless.
 

david's steph

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Originally Posted by mrblanche

Just to make it clear, whether or not animals go to heaven according to any religious dogma (pardon the pun!) is just that, a belief formulated by humans, often to justify their treatment of animals..."
BINGO! This has been my belief for years now..agreed mrblanche.
 

tigerontheprowl

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Personally, I don't believe in Christianity or any religion for that matter, but that doesn't stop me from believing that people will be reunited with their lost loved ones, be them human or animal. Just because someone tells you something doesn't mean that you can't also believe something else. I'm not talking about worshiping another God or anything like that, but just believing in some of your own ideas and beliefs instead of only believing what people tell you to believe.
 

ifoster

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I am a Christian and, to my knowledge, the bible doesn't say anything about animals goingor not going to heaven. They were in the garden of Eden but they didn't sin, still they were cast out. They cannot accept Christ as savior. But God is a loving God and surely he wouldn't send them to Hell. In revelation it talks about the animals that are praising God and about Jesus coming back on a white horse. I beleive they do go to heaven as I would think that God would want all his creatures with him as He loves them all. But, if they do not go to heaven, which I heighly doubt, we wouldn't know that they weren't there, all we will care about is praising God. Of course this is all just what I have read and how I have interpretated it.
 
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