Advertisement

Do animals find a place in heaven? Yes, say some theologians

 
TIMES FILES  Marie and Charlie the dog hug in a scene from Don Bluth\u2019s 1989 feature All Dogs Go To Heaven. For some, the title represents more than an animated film. It\u2019s a spiritual belief.
TIMES FILES Marie and Charlie the dog hug in a scene from Don Bluth\u2019s 1989 feature All Dogs Go To Heaven. For some, the title represents more than an animated film. It\u2019s a spiritual belief.
Published Aug. 17, 2018

My 5-year-old asks a lot of questions. Sometimes the answers come easy.

Other times, I need Google.

"Did the dinosaurs go to heaven?" falls into the latter category.

I told him, "I think they did."

Then another answer: "No, they don't eat the cats and dogs there."

I also did a quick search and discovered a lot of varying opinions regarding dino ascension.

Some people say animals don't possess a soul, meaning there are no velociraptors, zebras or even dogs in heaven. A few bloggers I found consider dinosaurs apart from other animals, insisting the massive predators died off before the Biblical flood and only post-ark animals pass on. There are those who think modern men existed as dinosaurs in past lives. And those who think death is the end for every living thing.

The most popular theory, however, proposes all God's creatures go beyond this life.

I prefer to think heaven includes animals.

"The theology would hint that heaven and earth are not for God, but for God's creatures. And, thus, animals that have been so loving and helpful to their owners would be there, too" Father Jim Van Vurst, a Franciscan Friar, wrote in an April 2018 blog post.

On Saturday (Aug. 18), St. Andrew Presbyterian Church will host a Blessing of the Pets during the grand opening of its Pet Memorial Garden.

For years, the church offered only a sprinkling of ashes for deceased animals. Pet owners needed something more, said church sexton Leonard Nichols.

"It's a place for closure," Nichols said. "We are open to church members and the Sun City Center Community."

The opening will include a walk-through of the memorial. Representatives from area rescues and TNR representatives will be present. Pets of all kinds are welcome to attend the event. All must be leashed or contained. Owners will receive a blessing certificate signed by Pastor Mark Salmon.

Nichols said he believes his dog Remmington, an English Shepherd which passed away about three years ago, went to Heaven.

"He was a working dog for hospice," Nichols said. "I'm hoping he is in heaven. I believe all my pets are there and I've had quite a few. Some people don't believe they go but I certainly do."

St. Andrew Presbyterian is located at 1239 Del Webb Blvd., W, Sun City Center. For more information, visit standrewatscc.org or call (813) 634-1252.

Contact Sarah Whitman at sarahrothwhitman@gmail.com.