I don't understand many of the firm christian beleifs like, "animals don't ahve souls", but they beleive that god created the animals, so how could they not believe that they have souls? Is there anyone out there who puzzles over these same questions and finds themselves "debating" about them?
2006-08-11 04:25:36 · 21 answers · asked by for_always_groban 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I believe that everything has a soul. Animals, insects, even so-called inanimate objects like trees, plants, vegetation, the earth, water, the oceans, lakes and rivers, the sky. All of us send vibrations into the universe which affect ourselves, other people and the world around us. We all have souls because we are all part of the source creator. In no way can anyone ever tell me, after looking into the eyes of an animal that they do not have souls. No one can tell me, after feeling the power of the ocean, that there is no soul there. The amazing feeling that you get from being out in nature for any length of time...goes right to your soul!
2006-08-11 04:34:26 · answer #1 · answered by LindaLou 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good Question.
Too many Christians only "think" they know what the Bible says:.
Now. Read Gen 1. 20-25
Animals ABSOLUTELY HAVE SOULS.
The earth was heaven in the beginning. It was the Garden of Eden. Man sinned and God left the earth. Animals was here in heaven in the beginning. They will be in heaven in the end.
man sinned, not animals. man needs a redeemer, not animals. Jesus Christ died on the cross for man's sins, not animals.
Souls are going to heaven just like God created souls in the beginning.
The Bible was not wrote for animals. animals did not sin. If you think animals won't go to heaven, why did God create them with souls? They were here when earth was heaven.
Jesus Christ is coming back on a White Horse.
Heaven will have Lions and small animals lying in Fields loving each other.
GENESIS 1. 20-25
ANIMALS HAVE SOULS.
Animals as well as humans have souls. The soul means the person or animal themselves. Animals will go to heaven, Not through salvation. Animals souls don't need redemption. Animals never sinned. Man did, Man needs a redeemer. Jesus Christ.
Gen. 1:20, 21, 24, 25: “God went on to say: ‘Let the waters swarm forth a swarm of living souls* . . . ’ And God proceeded to create the great sea monsters and every living soul that moves about, which the waters swarmed forth according to their kinds, and every winged flying creature according to its kind. . . . And God went on to say: ‘Let the earth put forth living souls according to their kinds . . . ’ And God proceeded to make the wild beast of the earth according to its kind and the domestic animal according to its kind and every moving animal of the ground according to its kind.” (*In Hebrew the word here is ne'phesh. Ro reads “soul.” Some translations use the rendering “creature[s].”)
2006-08-11 12:03:15 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think a little bit of philosophy is needed here along with theology. Yes, God created all things and most of those things are living. However, somethings are not considered living (e.g.) stones, sand, and the like. And I think that if we put those extremems in mind we will learn something about the "soul". Our good friends and philosophers, Plato and Aristotle argued for the soul in all their writings. They describe three kinds of souls.
[1] Vegatative. (consumption and growth).
[2] Animal. (by the way animal is a derivative of "Anima" or
soul). Beings with movement.
[3] Rational. Beings with self-awareness.
From all this we can see that even animals have a soul, but not a rational soul as human beings. However, as far as what Christians are teaching when saying animals have no souls, could be understood through the matter of redemption. Think of it. Did Jesus die for the sake of Bessy the cow or you and I who know how we severed our relationship with God? So, when a Christian is saying soul in this teaching they are speaking of a soul that needs redemption. An animal needs no redemption. Just how accountable do you think Bessy the cow is for her life than ours?
I hope this helps. May the Lord bless and keep you. May He let the light of His face shine upon you.
God's and your beast of burden
Fr. john
2006-08-11 11:58:03 · answer #3 · answered by som 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I am a Christian and my family has owned several pets throughout the years. Some of them have had some very interesting personalities. I have no idea whether they have souls that live on before and after their lives on earth simply because the bible doesn't mention it, but when people talk about a pet being in heaven or being in the tunnel waiting for them, that to me sounds like a made up level of comfort. I don't know... but for sure they have personalities. One cat we had used to say my sister's name and of course they cry (dogs especially) when they are lonely and my Mom's African Grey Parrot will have a conversation with you and asks for out of town relatives when no one has even brought them up.
2006-08-11 11:31:12 · answer #4 · answered by Sleek 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My husband and I are both christians and we have this arguement sometimes.. he argues that god never gave the animals the breath of life.. meaning a soul and that their behavior is all learned..
I don't agree... our dogs have souls.. just look into their eyes and you can see it. God created the animals for us and he gave us mastery over all of them and he broght them all before Adam to be named. It doesn't say that they then mean nothing.
2006-08-11 11:35:57 · answer #5 · answered by Heather 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Animals have souls, that is mind will and emotion. The spirit is missing. The bible speaks about God breathing into Adam and he became living. If animals were as humans, then we would need to minister salvation to them too.
2006-08-11 11:42:45 · answer #6 · answered by RB 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Pesonally, I have never heard that one before,(animals dont have souls)..? which christian belief system teaches that, because I would like to know. Not that its not the most important issue in the world, but Ive always heard the opposite. Animals will be going to heaven..Read the story of Noahs ark..The animals were saved, along with Noah and his family.. I don't get it,,,,
2006-08-11 11:36:15 · answer #7 · answered by Catt 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Of course there are, but these people are usually those who love their pets very much.
Actually I've heard that animals do have souls, but not the potential for having spirits, as people do.
Some say their souls are not immortal. This is the crux of the debate.
2006-08-11 11:30:22 · answer #8 · answered by freelancenut 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
What comes to me in receiving that question is the verse that says, '....and God breathed into him, and he became a living soul.' The breath of Life is given to all creatures, so why wouldn't they have souls as well? Where does it say they don't, except in speculation? I'd like to know, too.
In regard to what Kitten said, the race of man fell...not the animal kingdom.
2006-08-11 11:30:28 · answer #9 · answered by novalee 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Whether animals have souls or not is irrelevant----it is not a doctrinal issue. the important thing is that you have a soul and
Jesus cares very much for it. Stay away from the petty debates and stay focused on the important doctrinal issues of the Bible. You will be much happier, better informed and will serve God in a much more fruitful capacity. Jesus loves you.
2006-08-11 11:32:51 · answer #10 · answered by Preacher 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋