Do Dogs go to Heaven?

[JamesM]

Do Dogs Go to Heaven? It is a simple question that has different opinions. What do you think?

 

First, to all of the atheists/agnostics that took the time to read this, please make the following assumptions for this thread. I would really appreciate cooperation here.

 

1. Yes, there is a God, and there is a Heaven. While it is obvious that one could post here and say that this is a moot question since there is no God or Heaven, I would like to make these assumptions true for this thread.

 

2. God created the earth and all life here. Again, it is easy to go off topic and begin discussing evolution vs creation, and then show how there is no God. But for this thread, let’s make the assumption that God created. Whether He did it in six days or many years does not matter for this thread. Simply said, He created.

 

3. The Bible and the Torah and the Koran are Holy Books for each respective religion, and are credible sources for the answer to this question. While I am a Christian and believe that the Bible is the only Word of God, we can all suspend our personal beliefs and assume that all of these Books hold the answers needed.

 

 

This thread was “inspired” by some comments and links provided by Moai on a different thread a month or so ago. At that time, I purchased a book called Do Dogs Go to Heaven? I began reading it recently. It is rather interesting. Here it is at this link.

http://www.amazon.com/Heaven-Eternal-Answers-Animal-Lovers/dp/0967621801

 

Here is a link to a website that is all about this idea. This lady also wrote a book.

 

http://www.eternalanimals.com/

 

Notice also the Rainbow Bridge idea. While I do not think this is Biblical, it is intended as a comfort for animal lovers. Here is a link to the video.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEBIpFOQlNg

 

And more....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiADsg-cJ6E

 

 

So, back to the question. Do dogs and cats and other animals go to Heaven? This is not a belief that traditionally has widespread acceptance in religious circles. It is not a new idea (think of St Francis of Assissi), but it has gained more popularity in recent years because we humans tend to spend more on our pets and we give them more human qualities.

 

But if this question is answered in the affirmative, then there are many other questions that are brought up. For instance, do ALL dogs go to Heaven, or only good ones? And if only good ones, then how is that defined? Do animals have souls that can make moral choices? And if they make bad ones, but their master/mistress is in Heaven, do they go, too? Or if they make good ones, but their master/mistress is in Hell, do they go alone to Heaven? Who takes care of the pets there? Do all of a Christian’s pets go with him or her to Heaven? What about fish, birds, gerbils, etc.? And would fish be stuck in aquariums?

 

And what about the people who do not like cats or dogs? What about those who cannot stand cats? Would they suddenly love them? Obviously, allergies would not exist, but there are still personal likes and dislikes

 

Are we giving human qualities to animals if we suggest that they go to heaven?

 

What does the Bible say about animals in Heaven? Read Rev 6. Based on this…if it is taken literally, there are horses in Heaven. But Revelations is usually taken quite allegorically. Is it is this case?

 

[2] And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

 

And this usually refers to Heaven from Isaiah 11:6:

 

The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.

 

Is this to be taken literally?

 

What is your belief and why? Just a more “lighthearted” topic for discussion. However, if you are an animal lover, this may not be a simple or lighthearted topic. Anyone who lost a close animal friend may long for such a day. It may actually be a heartfelt question that you have wondered about.

Edited February 4, 2008 by JamesM

[Quinch]

Yeah, if they're good dogs. You don't think they go to hell do you?

 

What do you think doggie heaven is like?

[MakeLemonade]

While not getting too philosophical, I believe our soul/energy, feels ties to the energy of other souls/energy we have had close contact with in our lifetime. In keeping with the guidelines of your thread, I will give the short answer: yes, dogs go to heaven, all dogs.

[quankanne]

I can guarantee you that doggy heaven lacks fleas and ticks, but is full of wonderful goodies like Chicken Jerky treats!

 

never really thought about the animals in heaven thing ... while I love my babies, I'm not sure about the soul factor. And heaven is a repository for souls in communion with God.

[Moai]

The easiest answer would be no.

 

Let's say that you die and your parrot is adopted by someone else and lives another 20 years. Does the parrot belong to you in Heaven, or the person who adopted it?

 

What about adopting an adult dog? Do you get the dog in Heaven, or does the previous owner? Does god make a "soul-copy" of the dog so you can both have it, or what? And if god is "soul-copying", why not make a soul-copy of your unbelieving grandma who is in Hell, but you miss her terribly?

 

What about pet tarantulas? Let's say you had thirty of them throughout your life. Do you now have to take care of thirty of them? What about if you were into ant farms?

 

Beyond that, since Heaven is obviously not on this plane of existence, what are the souls of animals made up of? God killed all the animals on earth save a pair of each (or seven of clean ad two of unclean, or whatever) so he has no problem killing them for OUR mistakes, but since they cannot sin, they are innocent. So they get a free pass to Heaven. If that is so, there are Tyranosaurs, wolly mammoths--basically every living thing that has ever existed (save unsaved humans) in Heaven.

 

Do insects have souls? What about reptiles? Only mammals? How can you tell? And if all these creatures have souls, isn't it murder to kill them? There are religions that say that this is so. If they are right then every bite of that steak is a ticket to damnation.

 

Or, since we have no way of knowing if there isn't an afterlife in the first place, wouldn't it be better to spend our time working to make this life better as much as we can? Not only that, does a good person worry about their dog being in Heaven while ignoring the starving human children alive now?

[lindya]

Not only that, does a good person worry about their dog being in Heaven while ignoring the starving human children alive now?

 

I understand that if you donate £25 to Unicef, you're then permitted to indulge in a cheering 5 minute fantasy about meeting one of your long lost pets in the afterlife without selling your soul to Satan in the process.

 

£50 will rent you a pet dog for a day....Provided that at the end of that day you're prepared to watch it being slaughtered, so that its flanks can be turned into tasty meatballs and frozen before being sent over to the Sudan.

[Storyrider]

If dogs don't go to heaven, and my idea of happiness includes my dog, then doesn't a heaven without my dog fail to deliver?

[Citizen Erased]

They are unclean. Thou who licks thine arsehole shall not enter through the doggy door in the Pearly Gates.

 

It's in the Bible. Look it up I dare you

[Storyrider]

They are unclean. Thou who licks thine arsehole shall not enter through the doggy door in the Pearly Gates.

 

It's in the Bible. Look it up I dare you

 

That's true. If dogs do go to heaven, who cleans up their poop? Maybe they clean it up themselves.

 

For that matter, I wonder if we poop in heaven? If we eat in heaven, we must poop, right? How can there be a heaven without delicious food? However, if we do poop then that would sully heaven. And who cleans the toilets? Maybe heaven and hell are the same place, but those who are "in hell" have to clean the toilets. Kind of like hell week at the Frat house, only it's forever.

 

See what you've started James?

[blind_otter]

That's true. If dogs do go to heaven, who cleans up their poop? Maybe they clean it up themselves.

 

For that matter, I wonder if we poop in heaven? If we eat in heaven, we must poop, right? How can there be a heaven without delicious food? However, if we do poop then that would sully heaven. And who cleans the toilets? Maybe heaven and hell are the same place, but those who are "in hell" have to clean the toilets. Kind of like hell week at the Frat house, only it's forever.

 

See what you've started James?

 

In heaven you can eat whatever you want. When you poo, fluffy clouds spew out of your butt.

 

OT - of course dogs go to heaven. If you've ever owned a dog, you know it goes to heaven. Unless you bury it in the pet cemetary. Then they come back to life and inhabit their own rotting corpses, filled with venom and evil.

[swansong519]

I'm really sorry I started reading this thread.

 

As someone who has recently lost a loved pet the thought of a thread asking for debate as to whether my cherished friend is safe in "heaven" or simply providing food for worms leaves me feeling quite uncomfortable.

 

I realize the discomfort is partly a symptom of my own confliction regarding "beliefs" and "ideas"...but I can't imagine a thread asking people to debate the eternal fate of their dead (human) loved ones. If it's happened, I will stand corrected.

I'm sure there has been a debate about the existence of Heaven...but a debate as to whther your loved one gets to go there?

 

Anyway...I guess it's just a sensitive subject for me right now.

 

The question itself also seems to be a non starter.

 

You may as well have asked...IS there a heaven? Or...IS there a God?

 

Because the answers all revolve around belief...and how do you debate belief? (to which many threads in this catagory can attest).

 

As to why do you believe it? ...well, again the answer is too simple to require debate..

Whether the belief is in Heaven or God or this topic, we believe because it makes us feel better to do so. Although I try to live my life in the world of ideas rather than belief...in this instance (or any instance of loss due to death) I choose to "believe" rather than "think" because it suits me to do so.

 

In the end I think that we all came from one source...if you want to call it God, then so be it. And if we all came from God, why would God turn any of us away from or deny us the next step on our journey?

 

All life is energy...and energy doesn't go anywhere...it remains...all around us. It can change forms but it's essence remains.

[Storyrider]

In heaven you can eat whatever you want. When you poo, fluffy clouds spew out of your butt.

 

Thanks BO. I must have been snoozing when they covered this in Hebrew school.

[quankanne]

and it's a prettier thought than a recyling, poo-eating dog what has no qualms giving you kisses because he loves you so much!

[shadowofman]

Since I have to assume that I believe in God and Heaven, I will assume that animals can not go to heaven. And for that matter most of the humans will not be going there either. Good humans will be resurrected in a paradise on earth. It is here that the lion will lay with the lamb, etc. And I don't think that animals will be resurrected, but the animals will continue to populate and live and be our slaves. Heaven is reserved for the really good Jehova's Witnesses.

[norajane]

I'm hoping my pampered house kitty thinks this is heaven, right here, right now, full of kitty treats and lots of soft places to snooze.

[Storyrider]

Dogs are reincarnated. If they're bad they have to come back as telemarketers.

[Quinch]

You don't poop in heaven. You don't need to. You can eat all you want and never poop again unless you want to. Sometimes nothing beats a really good poop

[Quinch]

"I knew a major got poo-pooed and made the mistake of ignoring the poo-poo. He poo-pooed it. Fatal error! Because it turned out that the soldier who had poo-pooed him had poo-pooed a lot of other officers who also poo-pooed their poo-poos. In the end we had to disband the regiment. Morale completely destroyed - by poo-poos."

(General Sir Anthony Cecil Hogmany Melchett)

 

Sorry, couldn't resist this

[shadowofman]

For that matter, is sex finally a good thing in heaven? Cause I don't want to go if I can have tons of hot sex. And I hope no one gets jealous there. Will I get kicked out if I hit on the guys? I mean if we still have a taste for good food, then I assume we still have other tastes.

 

Or some think that we will not need or crave food or sex.

 

I love the Talking Heads song "Heaven".

 

"Everyone is trying to get to the bar.

The name of the bar, the bar is called heaven.

The band in heaven plays my favorite song.

They play it once again, they play it all night long.

 

Heaven is a place where nothing ever happens.

Heaven is a place where nothing ever happens.

 

There is a party, everyone is there.

Everyone will leave at exactly the same time.

Its hard to imagine that nothing at all

Could be so exciting, and so much fun.

 

Heaven is a place where nothing ever happens.

Heaven is a place where nothing ever happens.

 

When this kiss is over it will start again.

It will not be any different, it will be exactly

The same.

Its hard to imagine that nothing at all

Could be so exciting, could be so much fun.

 

Heaven is a place where nothing ever happens.

Heaven is a place where nothing ever happens.."

[DutchGuy]

A dog can't comprehend the concept of god or heaven and therefore (as an Atheist I'm always told that if you don't acknowledge god, he can't save you) dogs shouldn't be able to go to heaven. But I think 'heaven' would be more like 'the matrix': if you can think it up, it'll be there. So the dog can get wished into heaven, just like your first car and embryo's from misscarriages. But would dogs and embryo's be able to communicate with you, or would they be how you remembered them?

 

Also, are people old or young in heaven? I'd like to see my grandmother to be old, like the way I knew her, in that light, I'd have to be younger, but my kids, who arrive a bit later, might want to see me older.

 

Say you lost your first wife on a young age and you remarried and got very happy with wife #2, would you be with the three of you in heaven? What if the wives don't want to share?

 

What if your life partner has to go to Hell, but you need him/her in heaven?

 

Would god send a masochist to heaven or hell?

 

Questions, questions, questions...

Let's give a Christian answer: "some things we just can't understand, just rely on God".

[shadowofman]

Say you lost your first wife on a young age and you remarried and got very happy with wife #2, would you be with the three of you in heaven? What if the wives don't want to share?

 

All women are bi and love to share in heaven. Otherwise it's hell, like here.

[DutchGuy]

All women are bi and love to share in heaven. Otherwise it's hell, like here.

 

Yeah, one persons heaven is another persons hell. So heaven must have like billions of booths that contains peoples personal heaven. And for the system to fully work a person should be able to be in more than one booth at the same time. This being said, heaven is a place were people get 'cloned' in a way, so religion can be used as a pro-argument for cloning.

 

I guess following a certain religion takes the power to stop asking questions, I'm not even half serious about this stuff and I'm making my own head spin.

 

I just thought of another freaky thing: Would an infertile woman in heaven finally be able to get a child? Is that were angels come from?

I think this one should become a bible verse, it's beautiful I think.

Edited February 5, 2008 by DutchGuy

[andysw]

Animals don't have souls. So they can't be determined whether they go to the heavens.

[JosieMcCoy]

I think anything that feels love can go to Heaven, and our old family dog sure was emotional in a caring way!

 

I miss you Belvadere!!!

 

Cheers!

[SpanksTheMonkey]

Yeah, if they're good dogs. You don't think they go to hell do you?

 

If they go to hell would that make them hot dogs? sorry lol.. Ok back on topic .. Yes I guess if there is a heaven then yes all animals would go there they after all have souls just like us they just communicate on different levels!