While we're on the topic of religion...

Even when I was involved with the church, the question of where our pets go was never brought up or addressed.  I've always thought that when we die, we will see our beloved people and pets again.  My mom died when I was 13 and I just always assumed she was in Heaven with our dogs Bridgette and Max and the canary Lucky, and that I'd see her (and the pets) again there someday.  Wherever Heaven is, I always thought it was a place where people/pets are whole and safe from abuse. 
 
I promised God when I brought Shari home that I would give her the best life possible, in part because of the horrible accident that killed her sister dog (my fault) and because of the awful way my dad mistreated our dogs.  I know I can't make up for all of it, but if I can give another a better place to live here and now, that's what I'll do.
 
As far as Hell, I don't know if it exists, but in my mind, that's where all the child molesters and animal abusers reside in the afterlife.
 
 

I was raised in a christian household, but it never really worked for me. I could never get into the "all life forms are lower than and for the use of humans" thing. But, that's just me.
 
I believe that everything is made of the same substance- that all physical things are just collections of thoughts, emotions, and memories all mashed together into a super dense hysical form. I believe that, being made of the same stuff, animals, plants, and even inanimate objects all have souls (since that's basically what they're made of- soulstuff-) and each life here, or in any other world is meant to teach that soul something. Once something dies, it goes back to Cerulea- the spirit world- where it can life as it chooses, and reincarnate if it wants to.
 
I believe that often, but not always, physical beings are just small extensions of one soul- an "oversoul" that can be living lives in many bodies all at once, while the main stuff of that soul is sitting back in the spirit world watching and experiencing these different lives. I believe in cellular memory, even of past lives, and I believe that every other being- animal or human- that comes into our lives is there for a very specific reason.   
 
I believe that often, animals are much more in touch with the spirit world that most humans are. They retain alot of what we forget after being raised in a western society that discourages communicating with animals, spirits, etc.
 
I do believe in a God, one that is inherently good, who is made of the same substance that all of Its creations are made of as well.
 
Basically, I believe that when my pets die, they go to the same place everything else goes to- the spirit world. There they have the same experiences and choices to make as everything else. I don't believe in a heirarchy of souls. []

Maybe some of you believe that people and animals are the same, but the difference is that people have souls.....and I don't believe that animals do. The verses in Isaiah are what I believe could mean that animals go to heaven, and that's what I hope, but it could also be referring to the time of Christ's 1,000 year reign, that the animals would be there. I can't help but say this too, for the people who say they don't want to go to heaven if animals aren't there. Do you think once you die, you're going to have a choice where you get to go?   The phrase "if there aren't animals in heaven, then I'm not going" is quite ridiculous, but it makes me sad that some people actually believe that. Also, to say that you would rather go to hell, is, in fact, a very foolish thing to say. It means that you don't understand what it will be like. It's not a big party place where you can go and be with your friends. This is hell: "The sea  gave up the dead which were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead which were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his own works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire." (Revelation 20:13-15) This makes me shudder reading it. Hell  is going to be eternal fire, not a party place. I'm not trying to make this sound preachy, just trying to let you understand what it's really going to be like. 

just trying to let you understand what it's really going to be like.

 
...What you think it's going to be like. Obviously the people who say those things don't believe what you believe.

Yeah, but the thing about Revelations is that it's a book about Judgement Day, which is something that I understand is an event of the far distant future (perhaps the very near future, but what difference does it make?). Whenever it is and even regardless of whether it's the same time for everyone or something particular to every person, I think the general concept is that no one will judge you but yourself until that time. I believe the deeper message is that there IS time to come to terms with your sins and ask forgiveness from God, thus 'saving' you from an eternity in Hell. The God I know would not give up hope on anyone, ever. I know someone who returned to God after a lifetime of Satan worship. He's a model Christian, now, and I have no doubt he's going to Heaven, if there is one. I figure, if someone like that can be welcomed if he decides to turn himself around, then God's love and forgiveness are truly something a human is going to find difficult to comprehend. I have reason to believe this person returned to God because God was working in his life to bring him back.

So, my point is, it saddens ME that people think it's all cut and dried and once they're dead that's it as far as judgement goes and they head one way or the other for all eternity. To me, that's a simplistic way to view Christian teachings. I know people that have died before they had a chance to know God, and I can't believe that the kind of eternally loving being portrayed in the Bible would abandon someone like that just because circumstances weren't in their favour.

I can't say if animals have a soul or not, but I can say that I think Heaven must be a place that is unique to every person. How could every person have the exact same concept of Heaven? Some people adore animals and some people hate them. How can Heaven be the same thing for both people? So if people want animals in their Heaven, I rather think there will be animals in their Heaven.

ORIGINAL: ron2

Responsibility is a good thing,

I carry my sins with me. And I do not wash my hands in the blood of the Innocent. Nor, do I engage in human sacrifice or cannibalism. I will stand in judgement, alone, just as I judge myself and know where I am lacking and what my faults are.

That's your choice and I respect it. I hope you find peace.

I dont' really believe in souls per se...but I believe that heaven and hell are instantaneous moments that occur right when you die, that at that split second you face everything that is and has been on your conscience, good and bad, and if your animals are a big part of your life like they are mine they will be with you during that moment and bring all the good feelings they brought to you during the time when you were alive.

Think about who's in Hell...Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Marilyn Monroe, IMO....if you hang with the right people it wouldn't be so bad. I hear they've got "One Hell Of A Band"...Stephen King fans...that was for you! []

Absolutely...correct. If it's not your belief than it it's not your reality...lol.

ORIGINAL: rwbeagles

Think about who's in Hell...Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Marilyn Monroe, IMO....if you hang with the right people it wouldn't be so bad. I hear they've got "One Hell Of A Band"...Stephen King fans...that was for you! []

reckon jim morrison and kurt cobain are there as well? i wouldnt mind hanging out with them. and if all playboy playmates are in hell, then count me outta heaven! [8D]

edit: of course it might be hard to get in with the cool click, and i would be stuck hanging out with insurance adjusters or infommercial spokespeople for eternity. now that would be hell!

Someone once asked a Zen master what happens to us when we die. He thought long and hard and replied, "I have no idea. I'll let you know when I get there." Har har har! Like a lot of theological how-many-angels-on-the-head-of-a-pin stuff, this question isn't really all that relevant to the daily practice of Buddhism. I kind of like it that way. Is what will happen to my dog the same as what will (or will not) happen to me? Who knows. I don't really care. The answer to that question shouldn't change how I act towards my dogs or live my life right now. The precepts that I do my level best to uphold apply regardless.
 
Oh, but for Christians, there is actually a great book that presents a Christian theological argument for animal welfare. It's called Dominion: The Power of Man, the Suffering of Animals, and the Call to Mercy by Matthew Scully. The author was a speech writer for George W. (!) and also a committed vegetarian and animal welfare activist. Go figure!

I think that every living thing has either a soul, or some sort of "spirit" if you will.  I don't know if my critters will be with me in heaven (if I make it), but I know I will be very, very sad without them, and if heaven is a place of eternal happiness it would have to include them....

Oh, but for Christians, there is actually a great book that presents a Christian theological argument for animal welfare. It's called Dominion: The Power of Man, the Suffering of Animals, and the Call to Mercy by Matthew Scully. The author was a speech writer for George W. (!) and also a committed vegetarian and animal welfare activist. Go figure!

 
I got that book for my mom a while ago. She's a hardcore Bible thumper (and did her best to raise me as one) and it was the only thing I've ever found that changed her opinions on animal welfare. I read it when she was done, and even as a non-christian, it's one of my favorite animal welfare books. Awesome read.  

As far as Hell, I don't know if it exists, but in my mind, that's where all the child molesters and animal abusers reside in the afterlife.

I agree... I always thought it's where the really evil people would be in the afterlife. 

As for me, I was raised in a Christian home and still believe that way (same for my DH).  Everyone has their own opinions of what will happen & where we'll go when our time is up -- if we all had the same belief, there wouldn't be an interest in discussing it!  Diversity is a good thing, so is an open mind.  []

The Sunday school teachers I always had incorporated animals into our lessons.  Maybe it made learning easier? or kept our interest?  Even saying when we all die, we'll all be reunited with family, friends & pets - no anger, no sadness, no abuse, etc.  I pray that I'll go to The Bridge to be reunited with FeFe.  That will be Heaven for me.  DH and I have talked about it... she's the first one we want to see and we are trying our best to live our life in such a way that we will be granted the gift of spending eternity with her... never to be parted again. 
 
ETA: My grandma is a strong Christian woman and when we found out FeFe was sick, she said the sweetest prayer for Fe that still brings tears to my eyes.  I believe God has a special place for all the animals.

Me and my wife are both wiccan and I can't speak for her but I believe every living thing is reborn over and over not necessarilly the same...for example before my nan died she said she was coming back as a seagull to poop on everyone who annoyed her and the day she died a seagull started hanging around the yard... So I say treat your animals the same way you would like to be treated because the next life you could be the pet []