Catholic Question about Animals and Souls

A young son of one of my good friends made an off hand comment about animals that still kind of freaks me out.

Now, a little background...
My personal beliefs are that all the Christian religions are simply a difference of HOW we pray. Considering we are all Christians...

With that, it never bothered me to go into a Catholic church, a Lutheran church, a Baptist church, etc... Felt like God is there regardless of the flavor of the service..

Ok, then this one comment was made and it kind of freaked me out.

So tell me...
Is this a miss informed little boy? Or, is it a "Truth" in the Catholic Faith?

Here is what he said, "Animals do not have an eternal soul so it is ok to hate them and be mean to them. They don't go to heaven and have no feelings."
:?

He is 8.

As soon as he said it his mother said his name, like "Bob! Hush!" Like when our children say something that embarrass us... kind of a shocked, half nervous laugh...

I did not call her on it, because I think he was miss informed, but now I am not sure that I completely understand the Catholic faith. In fact, I am sure of it. But this stuck out.

Please tell me he is miss informed.

 

I'm not Catholic, but one of my best friends is. I have heard her say that animals do not have souls. I don't believe they do either. But, I know she would NEVER give that as reason for animals to be mistreated. I think the comment has nothing to do with the Catholic religion itself, but something within the boy's own family or peer groups or somthing?

 

That is what I was thinking. This is a REALLY good family. I adore them, even with our differences. So one comment is not going to change my opinion of them nessasarily. I adore them.

But I am very ignorant of alot of things, that I thought I was sure of just two years ago.

So, therefore I thought, maybe I missed something that was common knowledge to everyone else?

It happens a lot with me! haha!

 

I used to be a faithful, practicing Catholic before I was born again and they do not believe animals have souls. This is what I was taught by the nuns. However, the boy is misled or simply unkind if he thinks that justifies any mistreatment of animals. This is not a Catholic practice.

 

I was raised Catholic, am not anymore, and they taught us in Sunday School that every living thing has a soul.

He must have been misinformed unless they are teaching something different these days. Seems like "Bob's" mom needs to have a talk with him about his beliefs and his feelings toward animals.

 

This is interesting. The nuns in our Catechism taught us that we are the only ones who have a relationship with Christ being that we are the only ones who can commune with God. All other creators work by instinct. We are the only ones who can make a choice and we are the only ones created in His image and the only ones who can be saved by grace. Animals can't sin since they are instinctual so therefore they have no need for salvation or a soul.

I guess different Catholic churches believe differently as with any church.

 

My personal belief is that we (Humans) were the chosen animal to be touched by God and created in his image and therefore, although animals have souls, they have nothing to prove to God. Whereas we do. Therefore they do get their reward, go to heaven. Whereas, it is up to us whether we go or not, because unlike animals, we were given the gift of free will, but with it came the curse of sin.

Not sure what religious denomination that puts me in, but that is what is in my heart.

 

I do not think it places you in any "religion". This is a debatable issue that comes up in all churches of all religions. There are people in my church who believe animals have souls and some who do not. Even when I was Catholic, some people agreed on this and some didn't.

 

Now that I think about it, we used to have a blessing of animals day. I can't remember what it was called. Basically, people would bring their animals, stand in line and the priests would bless all the animals. I remember my mom taking our dogs.

 

Well, I'm not Catholic so I can't speak to that part of the question but if it bothers you (and it would me), I'll share some thoughts that might help if you find that you are in a situation where you can speak to the child and his mother about this odd theology.

I do not believe animals have souls. They were not created in the image of God as man was. They do not sin and as such, did not require Christ's sacrifice, man did. HOWEVER. If we read the Bible, it is pretty clear that we have a responsibility to care for His creation.

Proverbs 12:10 - "Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel."

Psalm 104:24 - "O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures."

Genesis 1:20-22, 24-26 - These verses (too long for me to type this morning!) all deal with the act of creation of the creatures of the earth and sea. And after every act of creation, "And God saw that it was good". If God, the creator of all things, the most holy and just God, finds these creatures good, and has given man dominion over all of them, who are we to mistreat his creation?

We have a responsibility given by God himself to care for His creation. Yes, he allows us, even provided for us, creatures that we may kill for food and shelter. But I believe that in that we also have a responsibility to care for those creatures.

If God has said "it is good", would it not be a slap in the face to decide "not, it's not, I can treat it any way that I wish"?

This is all my early morning brain can come up with, but perhaps the next time it comes up, you can gently remind him of our responsibility to all of God's creation :love:

 

I grew up Catholic but have been Christian for years now I have never heard the Catholics say that about animals not saying they dont just saying I never heard it. I have heard Christians say that animals have no souls so its interesting you should mention that since I was just thinking about that this year (its when I heard it for the first time).

Sam

 

That would have been the Feast of St Francis who is the patron saint of animals!Actually it passed a couple weeks ago.

The Catholic teaching is that only humans have souls but we should take great care and have good steward ship over all of God's creations~animals included! The little boy that said that apparently took that teaching the wrong way! lol!

 

Wow, I don't know if I should say anything but I can't let this thread go this way. I grew up in a very strong, I mean strong Catholic background. We are just as much Christian as a born again or Baptist, I think it's just a name like the kid of soda you buy it's all the same thing just a different name. So, Catholic are Chrisitan, I am with Timkelmom I was told all living things have soul. I believe animals do too, and they are breathing and need to be treated the same way we are treated.
I think the boy misunderstood something. It has nothing to do with being Catholic or not a Catholic.

 

Thanks for everyone's input!

 

Aww!
Thanks! I couldn't remember what it was called. I kept trying to think of it but had no luck.
To this day, I pray for my animals. They are a huge part of our family.:angel:

 

I do not believe being Catholic, Baptist, or whatever the religion, makes a person a Christian. The Bible is clear that ALL must be born again in order to have eternal life. Being born again is a relationship with the Father, it is not a religion. I believe their are unsaved people in all religions. Salvation is about Christ, not the religion. My church is Baptist but I know we have some people who are not Christians because they haven't accepted Christ. So no, it isn't in the title of the church but in the relationship with Savior.

 

I appreciated the verses you found and do apply to how we are to take care of God's creatures. Thank you.
Also the insight into how we are created in God's image, animals don't sin...thank you again.

I just wanted to add one thought:

As for the animals dying, here is a verse I came across years ago...it is found in the book of Ecclesiastes. Chapter 3 verse 21 tells us "Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?"

Emma's #1 Fan your last post I agree with. And to your post above that I think God wants us to pray for our animals...we are to cast our care upon him...He cares for the sparrows....

 

You are right Jen~all the insights have been really thought provoking! I think, that since God is our Father, and He loves us so very much, that even though "technically" our critters dont have souls, our God loves us so much and wants us to be happy in heaven with Him, then maybe just maybe He allows us to be reunited with them again in Heaven? Just a thought.......:angel:

 

I read an above post about being saved. I'm not sure if you realize, but as Catholics we believe that we are saved the day that we are baptized (christened). Meaning to become a Christian.

 

Exactly~and along the way as we get older we have Sacraments that confirm our acceptance of Christ.....Such as First Communion, Confirmation,Marriage/Holy Orders. Some faiths dont know that Catholics are Christian. By definition, one who believes in Christ is Christian.....just a little fyi!