Do Animals go to Heaven
A question that comes up probably more than any other is do animals go to heaven? Do animals have souls? My animals without a doubt will be reunited with me one day. I prefer to look at Heaven and God from two perspectives, science and spirituality and it seems to fit together rather nicely.
Though I am an active Latter Day Saint it deplores me what religion has done to human kind over the ages. Much of what is in the bible was never translated correctly, much of it written to control the masses. Controlling the masses brought much bloodshed.
Where is this leading? That Christian religion hardly touches the subject of animals having souls and animals going to Heaven.
As I research the sacred books of many religions, to name a few, the Qur'an, the Vedas, Kabbalah, Torah, the Holy Bible touch on the subject of the afterlife, and animals having souls. Even ancient African texts, from which many religions grew, gave reference to animals and souls.
The Catholic faith hints that animal souls cease to exist upon death, that the soul is a material soul in comparison to the spiritual soul of humans. Other Christian religions range from a cautious maybe to no way.
My church, the Latter Day Saints or Mormons have a strong belief of pets and animals going to paradise. Doctrine and Covenants,' section 77 includes animals being saved in God’s kingdom.
The Book of Revelations is full of descriptions of Heaven, including animals. Interestingly enough, it was the animals that were able to open the seals of the scroll held by the One on the throne.
From the perspective of pets or animals going to Heaven, looking at holy books is interesting.
From the Qur'an
Sura 6 - Al-Anaam (MAKKA): Verse 38 “There is not an animal (that lives) on the earth, nor a being that flies on its wings, but (forms part of) communities like you. Nothing have we omitted from the Book, and they (all) shall be gathered to their Lord in the end.”
Buddhism, though not a religion, is not based on a single holy book. The Tripitaka, one part of the Dhamma as told by Buddha references that all creatures (including animals) have a soul. Kabbalah and the Torah teach that animals have a soul as well as free will.
Non-believers of near death experiences have been quickly converted after experiencing an NDE. Or another person who began as a skeptic, spent years witnessing people who passed on and also experienced NDEs, then became a devote believer. This person was Dr Elisabeth Kübler-Ross who dedicated her life to dying people. Many of these people experienced NDEs and described their occurrences to Ross. These people included children and adults and many people witness their pets in the afterlife during their NDE.
The book The God Theory where I have learned a person can no doubt have spirituality without religion. You can believe in science and God.
From a very tender age I never had a doubt in my mind that I would see my pets that had passed away, again in the future. My dogs, cats, exotic pet skunks, exotic pet raccoons, rodents, ferrets, parrots, birds, reptiles, amphibians, even my alligator. Having that unequivocal faith has saved me from much pain and suffering. Not just the loss of my beloved pets but also the day my son passed away, caused by a horrible accident. Having that undisputable devotion got me through that awful day and every single day since. It wasn’t just my religious upbringing that gave me that crystal belief but also Near-Death experiences (NDEs), I first learned of such experiences through a Death and Dying course I took many years ago. Ever since taking that course the subject has intrigued me so I try to stay up on the latest research. I think the proof is in the pudding because of detailed research of Near Death Experiences (NDEs). My interests sparked by scientific exploration into the field of life after death. The subject is no longer taboo, as the subject has become mainstream science, as more scientists, physicians, clergy, psychologists, and other professionals are researching and become expert in the field. Over 8 million Americans alone have experienced NDEs many greeted by loved ones including previous pets. God gave a divine spark which gives life to all living things; including animals. Many religions in the world accept this as truth. We can call this divine spark the Holy Spirit, spiritual essence; a life force in all humans and animals, THE SOUL. I have often wondered if this life force includes plant life. Is this life force the soul? I think an excellent example of my view of life, the afterlife, life force, and how all life force (spiritual essence, divine spark) is tied together by this single life force was seen in the movie Avatar.
There is no doubt in my mind I will share my life with my beloved pets and exotic pets again when it is time for me to give up my physical body. I think all answers are within you. Ask yourself the question. How does it make you feel? I have had very close relationships with my pets.
"How we treat animals reveals our true nature." Seventh-Day Adventist Church
