Pope Francis: Animals Have Souls and Can Go to Heaven
I don’t believe anyone or anything has a soul. I think that when you die you get closer to the worms than to an almighty deity living in luxury up in the sky. Regardless, when the boss dog of the Church of Rome readily volunteers that animals go to heaven and may well have souls, you should pay attention.
(Newser) Pope Francis continues to show he’s anything but traditional. During a recent public appearance, Francis comforted a boy whose dog had died, noting, “One day, we will see our animals again in the eternity of Christ. Paradise is open to all of God’s creatures.” Theologians say Francis—who took his papal name from the patron saint of animals, St. Francis of Assisi—was only speaking conversationally. But the remark is being seen by some as a reversal of conservative Catholic theology which states that because they are soulless, animals can’t go to heaven, the New York Times reports. In 1990, Pope John Paul II said animals have souls, but his successor, Pope Benedict XVI, gave a 2008 sermon that seemed to say the opposite.
Francis’ comment has now sparked a new debate on the subject, and the Humane Society says it has been flooded with emails. If Francis does in fact believe animals have souls, “then we ought to seriously consider how we treat them,” a rep says. “We have to admit that these are sentient beings, and they mean something to God.” PETA is also running with Francis’ remark, suggesting Catholics should move toward a vegan lifestyle. Animal souls aside, a recent Pew survey finds Francis has a 60% approval rating worldwide and 78% approval in the US, the Washington Post reports. China may be growing fond of the pontiff, too, considering he reportedly refused a meeting with the Dalai Lama because, as the Dalai Lama reportedly said, “it might create inconveniences,” the Times reports.
This pope is certainly a forward, not a backward thinker. Just recently he told the nutty creationists that God has no magic wand.
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Professor Mike
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I agree – if people have souls, so do other living things! This Pope is great. I tend to agree with you that it’s unlikely there is such a thing as an afterlife or heaven, but if there is, it damn well better include every pet I ever had, even the two pet squirrels I raised from babies!
I LOVE squirrels Mauigirl!!!
Me, I’m a firm believer in worms.
The continuation of my life is through contributing to nature and to worms.
I can’t think of a better epilogue.
If you’re going to pretend that people have souls that will go to heaven when they die, why the hell not their pets? The whole idea of religion and heaven are to give the living a great pretend dream. People’s pets are part of the dream! If you’re going to pretend that those people are going to have a wonderful environment, it behooves you to include their pets!
I once read that, “Heaven is where every dog you ever loved will be there to greet you.” It’s hard to think of anything better.