I don't know if I believe animals actually have souls. I believe God created animals and he loves them and they will definitely be in heaven. There are some passages in the Bible that talk about animals in heaven. For instance, the one about the lamb laying down with the lion. I also believe heaven will be the most wonderful place. More wonderful than we can even imagine and we will be happier than we have ever been. For many of us, our animals would need to be there for us to be that happy and to make heaven such a wonderful place. Animals are born innocent and they love unconditionally. God would not exclude them from heaven. They are his creatures.
However, we are given a soul so we may choose between believing in God and choosing him and eternal life in heaven or rejecting God. I don't believe animals have the capacity to choose God.
I also believe some people are very, very evil. However, I don't know if they are born evil as God gives us all the choice to be good or bad. Some people choose to be evil. They seem to enjoy it. The devil also has power here on earth and some people choose him as the ruler in their lives. |