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Do Animals Have Souls?

© Dr. Aurelia Louise Jones

While fixing the garden in the backyard where Beastie Boy, our beloved cat, is laid to rest, my son stared wistfully at the flowers I was planting and asked, "Do animals go to Heaven?"

Without hesitation, I answered him. "I believe all animals go to heaven. I believe every creature created by God that can feel pain goes to Heaven." I further explained, "Not all people feel the same way I do." "Why?" he asks. "Well, some people believe the animals were put here on Earth and we were given domain over them. These people believe that animals are ours to do with as we please - including torture, kill for food and fur, and so on." "That's not good,Devon replied. "Well, that's alright," I responded. "Everyone is entitled to believe what they want to believe."

After Devon went inside, I sat thinking about his question. I have no doubt in my mind that I will see Beastie Boy, as well as all my other feline family members, once again in the afterlife. In fact, I believe they are waiting patiently for my arrival.

I turned to the Internet and found a great article by Dr. Aurelia Louise Jones (www.angelwater.net/y2k/ani-soul.html). I'd like to share it with you.

DO ANIMALS HAVE SOULS?

"This is a very controversial subject and I leave it up to you to decide. Many believe everything in the universe is consciousness and life. St. Francis of Assisi in his time knew this to be true. He stated it openly, endured criticism and was ridiculed for it. It took the papacy 2000 years to state it publicly after years of studies and research. In January 1990, Pope John Paul II issued a proclamation declaring that animals have souls. The Tibetans have believed this for centuries. All is evolving. Knowing this, isn't it sad to observe the kind of experiences that many people are offering to the animal kingdom?

Although saints making friends with animals is one of the most tender chapters in the history of Christianity, it is not one that is well remembered. For St. Francis of Assisi, like his Master Jesus, so loved the world, that the smallest inhabitant was to him considered sacred and treated with reverence. Because all living things are an expression of God, to St. Francis, they were considered sacred and to be cared for. To this day people look to St. Francis as not only a saint who communicated with animals, but as a messenger demonstrating this kind of love embracing everyone and everything in the world.

The copyright of the article Do Animals Have Souls? in Pets for Children is owned by Dr. Aurelia Louise Jones. Permission to republish Do Animals Have Souls? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.