Classical Liberal Arts Academy

In this life, many become deeply attached to their household pets, considering them members of the family. These relationships can last for many years and be very special to people. What happens to pets when they die? Can pets be raised from the dead? Will we be re-united with the pets we have loved in life? Let us discuss the question:

Whether our pets will be in heaven?

If you like to respond, choose either "Yes" or "No" and give your best arguments for your answer.
If you'd like to object to a response another student has written, you should focus on one specific point and show it to be false or unreasonable.

I will help you learn to discuss topics like this--and we can discuss any topics you wish.

God bless,
Mr. Michael

Hello,

I would like to answer "No" to the question of whether our pets will be in Heaven or not. I am inclined to believe this because:

1. Pets do not have souls or reason. The actions of pets teach us that they do not think about what they are doing. Animals are governed by instincts. They are not capable of thinking about the difference between right and wrong. Pets can be trained to do what we want them to do, but are they really figuring out that they should do this, or are they simply following our commands?

2. Several things in Genesis point to the fact that animals were not created to go to Heaven. Firstly, Genesis, chapter 1, verse 26: "And He said: "Let Us make man to Our Image and Likeness: and let him have dominion over the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the air, and the beasts and the whole earth, and every creeping creature that moveth upon the earth." God did not say, "Let Us make man to Our Image and Likeness, and the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the air, and the beasts, and the whole earth be equal to him." God gave the creatures to man to either be his food or work for him (horses, dogs, etc...). It does not sound like He is implying that pets will have a place in Heaven.

3. Animals, being without reason and souls, are not capable of enjoying or appreciating the happiness that is in Heaven. God never said that he was creating Heaven for the animals. When Adam and Eve sinned by eating the fruit from the Tree of Life, the gates of Heaven were closed to them. But there was never a little sidenote that said: "In this verse, the gates of Heaven were closed to man, however, they remained open to animals." Animals are not capable of recognizing the eternal joy and happiness that is in Heaven. Also, animals, not having free will (or reason) do not have the option of choosing what is right and wrong, or even of thinking that something could be wrong. A dog will steal the breakfast right off your plate (I speak from experience) and will never think that it might be wrong. They are giving into their instincts. Animals also do not have a conscience.

4. Finally, there is one last point that I wish to give. This may seem to be a little harsh, but it is important. When we are in Heaven, we will be forever singing the praises of God. Does the picture seem a little wrong to anyone of a dog howling or barking the praises of God along with you? We will not need our pets in Heaven to be happy, we will have Happiness itself.

I hope that this response was easy to understand, if anyone needs me to explain a certain point anymore, please let me know. I will keep an eye out for any responses, whether in agreement or disagreement, and do my best to answer them. Thank you!

-Blaise Bollig

Hello Blaise, and I think this is mostly true. I did once hear that if you do good on this earth, with animals, they may appear in heaven when you go in, at least to you, maybe not to others. I don't know, but I have heard it. Does anyone know if it is true?

I am unaware of what you said. I suppose if you asked God He might allow it, as long as you were very good.

Though I do agree with Blaise. (Mostly)

Ok…maybe this is just me, but…I do not see any posts from Gianna on here. Could you possibly mean Blaise? Or, if not, maybe it’s the wrong post. I dunno.

-Blaise

So far as I know there are no posts on here by Gianna.

Ok, good, so it’s not me. Ahem, Xavier and Joseph? Why are you talking to Gianna?

Sorry I only read the last name, like I said in your introduction I only pay attention to the last name, it's a habit I'll try to fix!

Wait...what, did someone say my name?