Do only humans have souls that go to heaven or hell, or does it apply to all forms of life?

[cesfx]

So far, it seems that the people who posted to my thread are fellow non-believers. But I would really like to know the views of staunch believers. All posts welcome, but where are the believers among us?

Non believer here, but educated as such.
Not for Christians and Muslims... Where humans (only) will be judged to access heaven.

Then you have Christians saying that pets will come to heaven and one will be able to meet them in afterlife, but not the bible when referring to salvation as the way to heaven.

 

[notagain]

Only humans, made in god's image have the "ownership" of all other living things.
If a human brings disgrace to himself or god's creation, it's off to hell with thee.
If you do well, are perfectly perfect and magically absolve all guilts then heaven is your reward.

 

[Frederick Foresight]

Only humans, made in god's image have the "ownership" of all other living things.
If a human brings disgrace to himself or god's creation, it's off to hell with thee.
If you do well, are perfectly perfect and magically absolve all guilts then heaven is your reward.

Why only humans? Are not animals made of similar stuff, and is their creator not the same loving being? Doesn't it seem capricious to you that an all-loving God would treat innocent animals different than he would people? Some animals are quite intelligent, and even kind. You've read about dolphins who have saved drowning swimmers. What about them? Why would God exclude such loving and intelligent creatures from eternal life? Some such animals are arguable better living beings than some humans. But, according to the religious, if a sinner, no matter how awful, shows contrition, then he or she is "saved." What gives?

 

[Frederick Foresight]

Non believer here, but educated as such.
Not for Christians and Muslims... Where humans (only) will be judged to access heaven.

Then you have Christians saying that pets will come to heaven and one will be able to meet them in afterlife, but not the bible when referring to salvation as the way to heaven.

Right, I've heard about Christians and their pets. Is there a point of demarcation? Just mammal pets, or can we include reptiles, insects and so on? And once we're down that road, what about, say, protozoa? And what about animals that are not pets?

This is what I'd like to hear theists comment on.

 

[Bugenhagen]

Right, I've heard about Christians and their pets. Is there a point of demarcation? Just mammal pets, or can we include reptiles, insects and so on? And once we're down that road, what about, say, protozoa? And what about animals that are not pets?

This is what I'd like to hear theists comment on.

This very well theologically researched radio play has it that only Chuckles the dolphin... But he didn't go to heaven.

(Well worth the time, Andy Hamilton is a genius, better than any theology or philosophy course).

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0090y11

 

[Frederick Foresight]

This very well theologically researched radio play has it that only Chuckles the dolphin... But he didn't go to heaven.

(Well worth the time, Andy Hamilton is a genius, better than any theology or philosophy course).

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0090y11

I may give it a listen one of these days when I have nothing to do. Religion doesn't figure prominently in my consciousness. I just got curious today between bouts of boredom about the rationalizations surrounding such beliefs.

 

[Bugenhagen]

Old Harry's game is soo much better than ET. It's very much your humour. Especially this episode. About eight minutes in to mention of Chuckles but it's truly a genius show.

rationalizations surrounding such beliefs.

Volunteer in a hospice. It won't help.

 

[ArnavDeshmukh]

To be clear, I'm an atheist, so I don't believe in a deity or an afterlife. But I'm curious to know if believers think all of God's creatures have souls and an afterlife, or if such luxuries are limited to people. And if the latter, then why?

What a question! I had never really thought about such a topic.

 

[tetramorium]

Why only humans? Are not animals made of similar stuff, and is their creator not the same loving being?

It’s a good question but probably not the weirdest part of religion tbf.

 

[murray t turtle]

Non believer here, but educated as such.
Not for Christians....... Where humans (only) will be judged to access heaven.

Then you have Christians saying that pets will come to heaven and one will be able to meet them in afterlife, but not the bible when referring to salvation as the way to heaven.

%%
Believer here + educated as such.
Nowhere in the Bible does it say yea or nay , pets go to heaven, but could be.
Animals will be heaven ,some anyway +Jesus Christ rides a horse.................................................