Do those people that
a) believe in heaven
and
b) believe life begins at conception
also believe that embryos go to heaven?
And since 50-70 percent of all pregnancies end in the first trimester (often before the woman even realizes she’s pregnant), doesn’t that mean that between 50 to 70 percent of everyone in heaven died as embryos? Actually, much more than that, since only a small percentage of those who survive to be born will go to heaven.
Tough question, undoubtedly life as an individual does begin at conception, now hold on, hear me out, what I didn’t say was that the presence of a soul/spirit happens at conception, merely that as a biological entity, individuality begins at conception (at least by some definitions.
So, where does that leave us?
Well, we’ve debated the point at which human life actually starts in a number of other threads, my (personal) conclusion is that life as a sentient, spiritual being isn’t something that suddenly ‘switches on’ - I’m personally leaning toward the idea that the soul (if there is one) develops gradually in the same way as the body and mind.
So, to the OP, maybe yes, maybe the afterlife is populated mainly by souls of beings that experienced no earthly life at all, but my personal view is also that the development of personality/soul doesn’t stop at the point of physical death (of course I can’t prove this, but i would argue from a philosophical stance that it would be odd if God had given us the desire and ability to grow/learn/absorb if this was going to abruptly stop at some point).
“1261 As regards children who have died without Baptism, the Church can only entrust them to the mercy of God, as she does in her funeral rites for them. Indeed, the great mercy of God who desires that all men should be saved, and Jesus’ tenderness toward children which caused him to say: “Let the children come to me, do not hinder them,” allow us to hope that there is a way of salvation for children who have died without Baptism. All the more urgent is the Church’s call not to prevent little children coming to Christ through the gift of holy Baptism.”
I would assume that even without funeral rites (as for a miscarriage where the mom didn’t know she was pregnant), the Church would assume God would take care of it.
Only if you count twins as a single individual. Aparently, the fetus doesn’t begin to differentiate into 2 people until about day 14 in the case of twins.
Also, it seems that prior to day 14, it is possible for 2 fertilized eggs to ‘fuse’ back into a single genetic identity, without any ill effects.
The whole concept of identity is pretty fluid for the first couple of weeks.
I’ll try to find the reference again. I think it was in a column on http://www.Slate.com.
Fair enough Tejota, this was a point that I hadn’t even considered. The point you raise goes further towards supporting my assertion that life as a sentient, spiritual being isn’t something that suddenly ‘switches on’ at some precise moment in development.