Topic: After the death of animails

[walter1234]

From the view of Orthodoxy, will the animals totally disappear after they die?
Are there any animals in the Kingdom of God?

[mike]

Are there any animals in the Kingdom of God?

Even if there is such possibility, my cat won't manage to do it.

[Jetavan]

From the view of Orthodoxy, will the animals totally disappear after they die?
Are there any animals in the Kingdom of God?

If God created animals in the beginning, then animals probably will be in the Kingdom.

[theistgal]

We know there will be at least 4 horses.

[Dominika]

From the view of Orthodoxy, will the animals totally disappear after they die?
Are there any animals in the Kingdom of God?

If God created animals in the beginning, then animals probably will be in the Kingdom.

I hope so

[vamrat]

We know there will be at least 4 horses.

I always wondered why they'd be riding horses.  Giant cassowaries would be much more apocalyptic. 

[Eastern Mind]

Or T-Rex's. Now those would be fun.

[vamrat]

Or T-Rex's. Now those would be fun.

When you think about it, T-Rexes could be considered giant cassowaries, in an evolutionary way of thinking...

[Justin Kissel]

From the view of Orthodoxy, will the animals totally disappear after they die?
Are there any animals in the Kingdom of God?

If God created animals in the beginning, then animals probably will be in the Kingdom.

God created slime. Animals were just the middle part while God was waiting for us! 

[IoanC]

God does not destroy what He creates. Death is an unnatural occurrence both for us and animals. Since God is love that extends as far as possible, He will have to re-created the animals, as well, at His Second Coming. I've heard this view expressed in The Church, but I can't point you to any sources, except maybe Fr. Thomas Hopko, if you can find where he said this.

[Nephi]

God does not destroy what He creates. Death is an unnatural occurrence both for us and animals. Since God is love that extends as far as possible, He will have to re-created the animals, as well, at His Second Coming. I've heard this view expressed in The Church, but I can't point you to any sources, except maybe Fr. Thomas Hopko, if you can find where he said this.

I'm not sure if it's unnatural for animals. I've heard a few different opinions on this. Some talk about death occurring in the Garden before the Fall - as it would have had to for Adam and Eve to eat, even if they were only eating plants. Others say that only humans were created with the potential for immortality, and animals weren't.

[stavros_388]

God does not destroy what He creates. Death is an unnatural occurrence both for us and animals. Since God is love that extends as far as possible, He will have to re-created the animals, as well, at His Second Coming.

I hope He doesn't recreate mosquitoes.

[LBK]

God does not destroy what He creates. Death is an unnatural occurrence both for us and animals. Since God is love that extends as far as possible, He will have to re-created the animals, as well, at His Second Coming.

I hope He doesn't recreate mosquitoes.

Or roaches. 

[NicholasMyra]

From the view of Orthodoxy, will the animals totally disappear after they die?

I think that something of how that animal glorified God and gave thanks to God through the way it existed will be redeemed and re-capitulated in the Kingdom of God.

But the animal as a hypostasis? No, all flourishing beasts return to their source.

Are there any animals in the Kingdom of God?

I presume there will be animals in the Kingdom of God, as God chose to create them and continually sustains them and relates to them lovingly.

[NicholasMyra]

God does not destroy what He creates. Death is an unnatural occurrence both for us and animals.

You must at least acknowledge that God facilitates the death of animals.

"The young lions roar for their prey, seeking their food from God."

[IoanC]

God does not destroy what He creates. Death is an unnatural occurrence both for us and animals.

You must at least acknowledge that God facilitates the death of animals.

"The young lions roar for their prey, seeking their food from God."

I acknowledge, as long as you are not suggesting that God relishes the opportunity to facilitate death.  The fact that He needs to feed animals in such a horrific way is again just another unnatural consequence of the fall into sin.

[NicholasMyra]

The fact that He needs to feed animals in such a horrific way is again just another unnatural consequence of the fall into sin.

I often wonder...

Is it horrific because it's horrific, or is it horrific because we don't butcher our own food anymore?

[IoanC]

The fact that He needs to feed animals in such a horrific way is again just another unnatural consequence of the fall into sin.

I often wonder...

Is it horrific because it's horrific, or is it horrific because we don't butcher our own food anymore?

The fact that we don't butcher our food anymore is proof that humanity can progress given the chance.

[NicholasMyra]

The fact that He needs to feed animals in such a horrific way is again just another unnatural consequence of the fall into sin.

I often wonder...

Is it horrific because it's horrific, or is it horrific because we don't butcher our own food anymore?

The fact that we don't butcher our food anymore is proof that humanity can progress given the chance.

But we do, I mean, we do it in a factory, just not at home.

[IoanC]

The fact that He needs to feed animals in such a horrific way is again just another unnatural consequence of the fall into sin.

I often wonder...

Is it horrific because it's horrific, or is it horrific because we don't butcher our own food anymore?

The fact that we don't butcher our food anymore is proof that humanity can progress given the chance.

But we do, I mean, we do it in a factory, just not at home.

Well, one day, we won't anymore.

[choy]

God does not destroy what He creates. Death is an unnatural occurrence both for us and animals. Since God is love that extends as far as possible, He will have to re-created the animals, as well, at His Second Coming. I've heard this view expressed in The Church, but I can't point you to any sources, except maybe Fr. Thomas Hopko, if you can find where he said this.

I'm not sure if it's unnatural for animals. I've heard a few different opinions on this. Some talk about death occurring in the Garden before the Fall - as it would have had to for Adam and Eve to eat, even if they were only eating plants. Others say that only humans were created with the potential for immortality, and animals weren't.

I remember when the Simpsons did Adam and Eve with Homer and Marge, Homer took some bacon from a live pig and the pig happily ran away afterwards alive 

On a serious note, yes, I forgot where I read it, but that there is a contrast between angels and animals, and that humans are the combination of both.  Angels being purely spiritual and intellectual beings, while animals are purely physical beings.  So death might actually be a default property of the physical world.  I have to look this up again, I am not explaining it very well.

[IoanC]

If you believe that death is part of the way God created the world, then you also must believe death is good, and that God is the author of death.

[choy]

If you believe that death is part of the way God created the world, then you also must believe death is good, and that God is the author of death.

Death of material things, not death of those created in the image and likeness of God.  Is it acceptable that there is a difference?

[Shanghaiski]

The new earth will probably have animals. I have not come across evidence that God will "recreate" our pets, however.

[NicholasMyra]

If you believe that death is part of the way God created the world, then you also must believe death is good, and that God is the author of death.

Death of material things, not death of those created in the image and likeness of God.  Is it acceptable that there is a difference?

Human biological death is only one result of the Spiritual Death of the Fall. I believe it was St. Irenaeus who said that God gave man over to biological death in order to limit his Spiritual Death, and so that he would not become some sort of lingering corrupted monster, compounding his corruption into infinity.

"Then the LORD God said, 'Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil; and now, he might stretch out his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live to the ages.' Therefore the LORD God sent him out from the garden of Eden..."

[IoanC]

If you believe that death is part of the way God created the world, then you also must believe death is good, and that God is the author of death.

Death of material things, not death of those created in the image and likeness of God.  Is it acceptable that there is a difference?

Animals are not material things. They are not created in the image and likeness of God, but they are still beings, capable of experience feelings (joy, tenderness, love, pain), of relating to other animals and ourselves, of a certain intelligence. So, if they can be a recipient for God's love, then God will want them.

[IoanC]

The new earth will probably have animals. I have not come across evidence that God will "recreate" our pets, however.

God will recreate all that is capable of experiencing His love. If He can make them now and provide for them, how much more in the Age to Come. Doesn't matter if they are pets, as long as they are capable of experiencing God's love for them.

[Shanghaiski]

The new earth will probably have animals. I have not come across evidence that God will "recreate" our pets, however.

God will recreate all that is capable of experiencing His love. If He can make them now and provide for them, how much more in the Age to Come. Doesn't matter if they are pets, as long as they are capable of experiencing God's love for them.

Patristic sources?

[IoanC]

The new earth will probably have animals. I have not come across evidence that God will "recreate" our pets, however.

God will recreate all that is capable of experiencing His love. If He can make them now and provide for them, how much more in the Age to Come. Doesn't matter if they are pets, as long as they are capable of experiencing God's love for them.

Patristic sources?

I've heard them, but I can't provide any. Fr. - MK Thomas Hopko's podcast is all I remember as far as other people saying these things. Anyway, it would be anti-life to think that God would not extend His love to all the beings that He can. Why did He make all this? If they are worthwhile now, why can't they continue to be forever? And, death was not the initial plan for creation, but eternal life. The animals that Adam named were not supposed to die. So then if those animals were not supposed to die, why would others? Plus, animals are not things. If there can be a bond and feelings between us and animals, if animals know who we are and get used to us, then it would be very sad if they were not remade, if God was to ever remake anything.

[choy]

Animals are not material things. They are not created in the image and likeness of God, but they are still beings, capable of experience feelings (joy, tenderness, love, pain), of relating to other animals and ourselves, of a certain intelligence. So, if they can be a recipient for God's love, then God will want them.

I am not very knowledgeable on the subject, but according to what I have learned so far, this is not Orthodox teaching.  That is that animals have joy, tenderness and love.  Pain yes, but a physical pain, not emotional.  Animals act according to their nature whereas humans currently in the fallen world do not.

[Tikhon.of.Colorado]

Are there any animals in the Kingdom of God?

Even if there is such possibility, my cat won't manage to do it.

Nor will mine!

[IoanC]

Animals are not material things. They are not created in the image and likeness of God, but they are still beings, capable of experience feelings (joy, tenderness, love, pain), of relating to other animals and ourselves, of a certain intelligence. So, if they can be a recipient for God's love, then God will want them.

I am not very knowledgeable on the subject, but according to what I have learned so far, this is not Orthodox teaching.  That is that animals have joy, tenderness and love.  Pain yes, but a physical pain, not emotional.  Animals act according to their nature whereas humans currently in the fallen world do not.

Not at all Orthodox teaching as far as I know. Would mean that animals are robots or objects. I think that confusion arises when we say that men are created in the image and likeness of God, whereas animals are not. This means that animals are not in charge of themselves, but not that they are not capable of feelings, intelligence and bonding; they are capable, but their life is solely guided by The Holy Spirit. We are also guided by The Holy Spirit, but we also have the choice to accept or reject God. Animals are more like children. And I don't think we need anybody to tell us that animals experience joy, tenderness, even love. We can see this for ourselves. Personally, my interactions with animals have been very meaningful, intelligent and I had a feeling that there was an actual relationship between us, a progressive relationship. In no way would I accept to not consider them my friends and simply expect that they will go into nothingness as if they are objects. This is so contrary to the loving nature of God.

[LBK]

Animals are not material things. They are not created in the image and likeness of God, but they are still beings, capable of experience feelings (joy, tenderness, love, pain), of relating to other animals and ourselves, of a certain intelligence. So, if they can be a recipient for God's love, then God will want them.

I am not very knowledgeable on the subject, but according to what I have learned so far, this is not Orthodox teaching.  That is that animals have joy, tenderness and love.  Pain yes, but a physical pain, not emotional.  Animals act according to their nature whereas humans currently in the fallen world do not.

Have you ever owned a dog, cat, or horse, Choy?

[choy]

Have you ever owned a dog, cat, or horse, Choy?

Yes.  I have a cat everyday of my life until I left the Philippines when I was 30 (not too long ago).  They all have names, and I love them very much.  But I make no false pretenses about their humanity.  I would imagine they do have emotion and all, I would even make up dialogues in my mind among them and between them and me.  But at the end of the day, I know those are all made up.  My brain is naturally very analytic, I do watch and observe and ponder on what I see.  Because the Philippines is a tropical country, cats don't stay indoors.  There is no winter that would kill them if they stay outdoors.  Thus they are semi-feral.  It is interesting the dynamics of cats in their natural instincts.  I have seen other cats or even my own cats kill kittens of one of my felines, those who they feel will be a threat to their dominance of the territory.

This assigning of human qualities to animals is actually sort of a heresy against the dignity of humans as created by God.  I was listening to a podcast regarding this from AFR about a week ago.  The guy on the interview said, and I agree with him, that humans are the only one who are capable of a moral choice.  If a seal is dying on a beach, only humans will try and rescue it.  Other animals will either try to eat it or ignore it.

[LBK]

This assigning of human qualities to animals is actually sort of a heresy against the dignity of humans as created by God.

Animals such as dogs, cats, and horses are quite capable of interacting and communicating with us through facial expression, vocal expression, and gesture/bodily posture. These behaviors are neither random nor purely instinctive. To say that they are incapable of feeling and expressing emotions such as joy, sorrow, puzzlement, contentment, contempt, and, yes, love and grief, is simply wrong. This is not anthropomorphism, it's simply a fact.

Cats have been part of my life for the better part of 40 years, and I could easily write a book on some of them.

[mike]

Have you ever owned a dog, cat, or horse, Choy?

Yes.  I have a cat everyday of my life until I left the Philippines when I was 30 (not too long ago).  They all have names, and I love them very much.  But I make no false pretenses about their humanity.  I would imagine they do have emotion and all, I would even make up dialogues in my mind among them and between them and me.  But at the end of the day, I know those are all made up.  My brain is naturally very analytic, I do watch and observe and ponder on what I see.  Because the Philippines is a tropical country, cats don't stay indoors.  There is no winter that would kill them if they stay outdoors.  Thus they are semi-feral.  It is interesting the dynamics of cats in their natural instincts.  I have seen other cats or even my own cats kill kittens of one of my felines, those who they feel will be a threat to their dominance of the territory.

This assigning of human qualities to animals is actually sort of a heresy against the dignity of humans as created by God.  I was listening to a podcast regarding this from AFR about a week ago.  The guy on the interview said, and I agree with him, that humans are the only one who are capable of a moral choice.  If a seal is dying on a beach, only humans will try and rescue it.  Other animals will either try to eat it or ignore it.

I've heard about dozens of cases when animals rescued other animals or humans.

[LBK]

Have you ever owned a dog, cat, or horse, Choy?

Yes.  I have a cat everyday of my life until I left the Philippines when I was 30 (not too long ago).  They all have names, and I love them very much.  But I make no false pretenses about their humanity.  I would imagine they do have emotion and all, I would even make up dialogues in my mind among them and between them and me.  But at the end of the day, I know those are all made up.  My brain is naturally very analytic, I do watch and observe and ponder on what I see.  Because the Philippines is a tropical country, cats don't stay indoors.  There is no winter that would kill them if they stay outdoors.  Thus they are semi-feral.  It is interesting the dynamics of cats in their natural instincts.  I have seen other cats or even my own cats kill kittens of one of my felines, those who they feel will be a threat to their dominance of the territory.

This assigning of human qualities to animals is actually sort of a heresy against the dignity of humans as created by God.  I was listening to a podcast regarding this from AFR about a week ago.  The guy on the interview said, and I agree with him, that humans are the only one who are capable of a moral choice.  If a seal is dying on a beach, only humans will try and rescue it.  Other animals will either try to eat it or ignore it.

I've heard about dozens of cases when animals rescued other animals or humans.

And there are many accounts of dogs standing guard over the dead body of their human master, not allowing others to approach; I know of a police horse which defused a situation by bringing its front hoof down on the foot of an abusive drunk and fixing its gaze on him to prove his point; and I could tell of many stories of my own cats over the years which prove time and again that they well and truly have emotions, and aren't shy about showing them.

[Eastern Mind]

Animals are not material things. They are not created in the image and likeness of God, but they are still beings, capable of experience feelings (joy, tenderness, love, pain), of relating to other animals and ourselves, of a certain intelligence. So, if they can be a recipient for God's love, then God will want them.

I am not very knowledgeable on the subject, but according to what I have learned so far, this is not Orthodox teaching.  That is that animals have joy, tenderness and love.  Pain yes, but a physical pain, not emotional.  Animals act according to their nature whereas humans currently in the fallen world do not.

Actually, elephants have been known to express emotional pain and grieve deeply over the loss of a member of the herd.

[stavros_388]

It is true. The more we learn about animals and animal behaviour, the more we understand that they feel emotions, sometimes deeply, build friendship bonds, demonstrate altruism and self-sacrifice, mourn the dead, and so on.

[stavros_388]

I saw this video on facebook awhile back.
Dog Risks Life to Save Another Dog:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgjyhKN_35g

[choy]

I've heard about dozens of cases when animals rescued other animals or humans.

As opposed to the billions of times they either ignored or ate that animal or human that needs saving.

[choy]

It is true. The more we learn about animals and animal behaviour, the more we understand that they feel emotions, sometimes deeply, build friendship bonds, demonstrate altruism and self-sacrifice, mourn the dead, and so on.

How do we know they feel emotions in the way we define emotions?

[mike]

I've heard about dozens of cases when animals rescued other animals or humans.

As opposed to the billions of times they either ignored or ate that animal or human that needs saving.

Never heard about such a case.

[choy]

I've heard about dozens of cases when animals rescued other animals or humans.

As opposed to the billions of times they either ignored or ate that animal or human that needs saving.

Never heard about such a case.

Yes, ignoring is not very newsworthy.  Though you should pay attention when there are bear attacks or mountain lion attacks in your area.  Depends where you are of course.

[Shanghaiski]

I've heard about dozens of cases when animals rescued other animals or humans.

As opposed to the billions of times they either ignored or ate that animal or human that needs saving.

Never heard about such a case.

You've never heard of people being eaten by animals?