Do Dogs Go to Heaven?
I have a Shorkie (pictured). His name is Milo. He is two and is a cross between a Shitzu and a Yorkshire terrier (Yorkie). He follows me everywhere, and I love him. In our weekly doctoral Zoom calls, you will see him sleeping in my reading chair behind me. If you have a dog, you will know how much joy they can bring to a household. In my social media feed (usually Facebook), I have seen an increase in people asking if dogs go to heaven (maybe it’s just my algorithms). I’ve seen some pretty interesting answers either way, although biblically, there’s not much to be said about it. Without getting into the debate over whether Original Sin affected the animals in such a way that they are separated from God, much of the debate rages over the eternal nature or soul of the dog.
Interestingly, I found parallels between this debate and Eve Poole’s exploration of artificial intelligence (AI) in her book “Robot Souls: Programming in Humanity.”[1] Poole examines whether AI can have a soul or consciousness, and these questions resonate with my thoughts about Milo. While AI and dogs might seem unrelated at first glance, the concepts overlap in surprising and illuminating ways.
Does and can AI have a soul and, therefore, personhood? Does AI have consciousness? That there exists “no current definition of consciousness that would exclude AI”[2] raises many questions. Questions like,
- What defines consciousness?
- Can AI be considered a person?
- What ethical obligations do we have toward AI?
- How do we address accountability?
- What are the risks of misattributing consciousness?
- How do religious or spiritual perspectives factor in?
- What would AI rights look like?
- How does this impact society and identity?
- What role do emotion and qualia play?
Perhaps in the above questions, we can remove AI and insert a Dog or Cat or anything else we feel connected to. Many of the questions above have already been answered and, thus, established the nature (at least in the here and now) of our beloved pets.
Poole’s eloquent response to the above questions includes proposing that to align AI behaviour with human values, we must embed what she terms our “junk code”[3] traits like emotions, intuition, and the capacity for error into AI systems. This concept challenges traditional AI development, which often seeks to eliminate such human imperfections.
That there is a difference between “knowing (small k) and Knowing (capital K)” seems to be of some value. Poole writes, “There is still something qualitatively different between AI learning to appreciate the colour red and a human spontaneously doing so. In French this would be the difference between the verbs for knowing, savoir and connaître. Savoir is the kind of knowing that we can give Al; connaître, that familiarity with red, comes from somewhere else.”[4] More eloquently, she identifies that there is a difference “between knowing everything there is to know objectively about Michelangelo, versus knowing what it smells like in the Sistine Chapel.”[5]
Poole draws from theology, philosophy, and technology and offers a comprehensive examination of AI’s nature, though somewhat laborious at times. Her background, with degrees in theology and an MBA, along with experience in business management and consulting, enriches her analysis, although chapter summaries would make the book more accessible to a wider readership. While she does not explicitly argue that AI currently has consciousness, she acknowledges the complexity of determining whether AI can possess consciousness, given that much of what we consider “consciousness” is difficult to measure or verify, even in humans.
Poole’s scepticism about AI truly possessing the subjective, intrinsic nature of consciousness, which is a hallmark of human experience, is reinforced by the ethical and philosophical challenges posed by the potential of AI appearing conscious, regardless of whether it genuinely is. Any application of AI possessing a form of ‘soul’ through the integration of human-like traits challenges the deeply religious, indeed biblical concept of a soul.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:23, the Bible says, “May your whole body, soul, and spirit be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” This passage uses intriguing Greek terminology to describe the three distinct components of our being. The term for “body” is soma, referring to the physical part of us. The word for “soul” is psyche, which connects to Genesis 2:7, where “man became a living soul.” Biblically, the soul encompasses our will and emotions, often referred to as the “heart.” Proverbs 4:23 emphasises the soul’s significance: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (KJV). Yet, the Bible also warns of the soul’s limitations. In 1 Corinthians 2:14, “The natural (psuchikos—soulish) man cannot receive the things of God because they require spiritual discernment.”
The third component, the “spirit,” is referred to as pneuma in Greek. This is the part of us that connects directly with God. Numbers 16:22 speaks of God as “the God of the spirits of all flesh,” highlighting this divine connection. Hebrews 4:12 reveals the transformative power of Scripture in addressing the soul and spirit: “The word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (NIV). While salvation renews our spirit, the bible indicates that our soul, our mind, will, and emotions remain on a journey of sanctification. Romans 7:14–25 illustrates the inner struggle as our soul often drags us down and holds us back from living fully in the Spirit.
This is why the Word of God is so powerful. It cuts through the confusion and messiness of our soul, helping us discern what is of God and what needs transformation. It separates soul and spirit, exposing the thoughts and attitudes of the heart and aligning us with God’s will. As we allow Scripture to work in us, it renews our minds, aligns our will, and restores our emotions, bringing our whole being—body, soul, and spirit—closer to blamelessness in Christ.
The question, “Do dogs go to heaven?” evokes deep emotional and theological considerations about the nature of souls and eternal life, particularly for Milo. While the Bible offers little direct commentary on this topic, much of the debate centres around whether animals possess eternal spirits akin to humans. Eve Poole’s exploration of AI in Robot Souls: Programming in Humanity does provide an intriguing parallel. Poole’s examination of whether AI, through consciousness such as emotions and intuition, could be considered as having personhood connects the discussion about animals and the afterlife, raising questions about what defines a soul, consciousness, and relational connection to God.
Summarily, the soul (psyche) is understood as encompassing will and emotions—the essence of human personality—and is distinct from the spirit (pneuma), the part that connects directly with God. While the human spirit is renewed through salvation, the soul continues a journey of transformation. This distinction is critical in theological considerations of eternal life. Poole’s observations about the limits of AI’s consciousness—its inability to experience subjective realities or possess intrinsic awareness—mirror the theological question of whether animals, despite their capacity for relational and emotional bonds, share in this spiritual connection. Ultimately, the question reflects broader discussions about the nature of being, consciousness, and eternity, inviting both theological reflection and personal hope.
Ultimately, Milo is a gift, a reflection of God’s creativity and care. Whether or not he will join me in heaven, his presence reminds me of the goodness of creation. And while I may never have a definitive answer to the question, I find comfort in trusting a God who promises to make all things new. Whether contemplating the future of AI or the eternal fate of our beloved pets, these questions invite us to marvel at the mystery of life and the beauty of relationships. And perhaps that wonder itself is a glimpse of the divine.
[1] Poole, Eve. 2024. Robot Souls: Programming in Humanity. London: CRC Press.
[2] Ibid, 47.
[3] Ibid, 73.
[4] Ibid, 70.
[5] Ibid, 44.
About the Author
Glyn Barrett
I am the founding, Lead Pastor of !Audacious Church in Manchester, England. I was born in Manchester, but moved to Australia at the age of two. My wife and I were married in Australia and began married and ministry life in England 28 years ago. After serving as youth pastors for 12 years, we moved to Manchester to pioneer !Audacious Church. As a church we now have 7 locations. 3 in Manchester, Chester, Cardiff (Wales), Sheffield, and Geneva (Switzerland). In 2019 I became the National Leader of Assemblies of God in Great Britain. We have over 600 churches in our movement and have planted 88 new churches since May 2022 with a goal of planting 400 new churches between May 2022 and May 2028. I am the European Lead for MM33, which is the church planting ministry for Assemblies of God Global and also chair Empowered21 Europe. I'm happily married to Sophia, with two children, one dog and two motorbikes. I love Golf, coffee and spending time with friends. I love to laugh, make friends and create memories!4 responses to “Do Dogs Go to Heaven?”
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Glyn,
I love the conclusion you have come to. I also love that along the way you were diving into a 3 part sermon.
How might the development of AI and even the development of animal husbandry be a part of the cultural mandate we see given to Adam and Eve in the Garden? Is the development of AI simply a part of this cultural mandate?
Thanks Adam. I think that animal husbandry and AI embody humanity’s call to steward creation (Genesis 1:26-28). Both reflect creativity and responsibility. When developed ethically, they align with God’s purposes, fostering human flourishing and care for creation. However, they must prioritise stewardship, humility, and alignment with God’s intent to avoid harm or exploitation.
Your Milo is a sweetie! I often wonder about the souls of animals, which at times seem to be more in touch with the spirituality of life than humans.
With the expansion of artificial intelligence and all that comes with it including massive societal learning curves and ethical concerns, how do you see yourself coaching the next generation of leaders on this topic? Especially your children.
Thanks Jen. Specifically, coaching focuses on values-driven leadership, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence. Leaders must shape AI responsibly, balancing curiosity with discernment. By modelling adaptability and integrating faith, I encourage ethical innovation that reflects God’s justice, mercy, and restoration, empowering future leaders, including my children, to use AI as a tool for good.