Is the concept of a soul, really just an excuse to try and immortalize ourselves?

Question

Personally, I don't believe in a soul. But it seems to me that the idea of a soul was created because people didn't like the idea of death being the end. Your brain shuts down and nothing exists anymore. If you're having trouble grasping this concept, it's like you go to sleep and don't dream, and never wake up. You don't know when you're asleep and not dreaming, just like you wouldn't have a clue that you're dead.

So is a soul really just a way to help people get over their fear of dying? They know that if they die, at least some part of them exists still so they're kind of still alive?

Don, while I appreciate your story, I feel it casts more evidence to the belief that once you have a religious experience its all self-centered and about you. Where are these miracle experiences for the millions of other atheists out there? I can safely say I have never had anything like that happen to me, nor do I know anyone that has. So are you special and I'm not?

Nice guy, it's called brain waves, chemical responses... not a soul.

Just yak'n... oh I don't know... your last breath escaping your lungs as they deflate?

Answer 1

Christians have a totally wrong idea of that the 'soul' is. For the Jews of that time... including Jesus... the 'soul' was an enveloping emanation from the godhead that resulted from the community's relationship with god. The soul as a component of a human being (Christian view) is an artifact of Greek thinking on 'dualism'... which was incorporated into Christian dogma and lore by Gentile theologians, who were ignorant of Jewish (and Jesus') concept of 'soul'.

Everyone's worries about what happens to their personal 'soul' are of no consequence... it does not exist.

(Just another reason why Christianity is horseshit.)

Answer 2

Your soul is your subconscious. Long ago, they were unaware of the different layers of subconscious.

That part of you is separate from your physical body, such as the part that goes out of body for those capable of doing that. It's also your 'guardian angel', keeping you breathing, healing and such when your consciousness is asleep or in a coma.

It also goes on after physical death but you won't find many clues as to the truth of that in older religions. Stick to more new age writers for some clues.

Answer 3

We are made of body,soul & spirit. I own a body,I possess a soul , and I am a spirit. The soul is the physiological element of what makes you, you. It's our thinker, feeler,and chooser,and it manifests itself in our personalities. The spirit is who we really are,and it provides us the means to relate to God since He is Spirit. The resurrection of Jesus Christ was a proclamation that Christ had conquered sin, death,and the devil. It guarantees there is life beyond the grave.I have blessed assurance, I pray you too,can experience the Love of Christ and the blessed assurance of life beyond the grave. I am not afraid of dying perfect love casts out all fear.

Answer 4

What about that 3/4 of an ounce that everyone loses at the time of death. Go to snoopes.com and see that it's a fact

Answer 5

I was there where you are for a long time but not any more. This was proof enough for me.

Several years ago I had an unusual experience concerning an uncle, a distant relative who lived over a thousand miles away.

While driving my car I suddenly felt the unmistakable presence of this relative that I hardly even knew. He was more like someone I had heard about than someone I knew. It was very strange; it felt as though I was momentarily lifted right out of my physical body. I seemed to be suspended somehow beyond space and time, bathed in a love so intense It felt like I could have just disappear into it at any moment if It would have let me. It only lasted for a few seconds, but it seemed to last forever at the same time. I realize how crazy this must sound. The experience was so strong that at first I was afraid I was loosing my grip on reality. I finally managed to chalk it up to an over active imagination.

Three days later I got a call from my aunt telling me that this uncle we are talking about had gone into a coma and died the day I had the experience. It felt like ice water had been poured down my back when she told me this. I had lost any real ideas of God or faith and had become somewhat of an atheist. Needless to say this experience caused me to rethink some of the conclusions I had come to.

I feel blessed to now understand that even in our darkest confusion something loves us so much that it went out of its way to assist me and bring me back to a state of absolute certainty about Gods love for us.
During the experience it seemed like there was a vast amount of information that I was somehow allowed access to. One thing that I came away from this experience understanding beyond any shadow of a doubt was that any Idea that God is unhappy with us or would judge or allow us to be punished for any reason is simply impossible.

I can’t explain the love I felt with words. They simply don’t make words big enough or complete enough to do this. The only way I can begin to convey this love to you is to say that there was simply nothing else there. Nothing but love. No hint of judgment, no displeasure of any sort. It is as though God sees us as being as perfect as we were the day we were created. It is only in our confused idea of ourselves that we seem to have changed.

I hope this is of some help to you. Good luck. Love and blessings.

Your brother don

Answer 6

If you didn't have a soul, you wouldn't even be asking this question. Without a soul, we are just instinctual beings. Without a soul, people wouldn't sit around and search for meaning in their lives or even have a thought as to what their life is all about.

Answer 7

Grace unto you and peace,
from God our Father and the Lord JC.

Soul(law) is mortal, spirit(grace) is immortal.
Soul(law) corruptible, spirit(grace) incorruptible.
The word of God divides assunder soul & spirit.
(the word of God divides assunder law & grace)
Which (law/grace) "things" are an "allegory",
a "mystery" to solve in time, lest "all perish".

First man Adam was made a living "soul".
(But: As in Adam[them created] all die)
Last Adam [is made] a quickening "spirit".
(Even so: In Christ shall all be made alive)

Then [cometh] the end (to endure unto)
when death(law) is destroyed (1Cor 15).

Where no law, no transgression (Rom 4).
When no law, no sin is imputed (Rom 5).
Where & when no law? In the end(Rev 22:21).

It's allegoric before/after compare-i-son:
Howbeit first the natural, then spiritual after-ward.
But also compare the spiritual with spiritual, after,
to compare new & dead way with new & living way.

Law is natural, but also spiritual.
Grace is spiritual, but not natural.

Our Father, deliver us from evil. (Mt 6)
We are delivered from the law. (Rom 7)

Law is good, but it's also evil.
Grace is good, but never evil.
Discern(Avoid) both good + evil.

Law(legalism) is as spiritual abuse.
Law is both "mortal" & "corruptible".
Law had expiry date, expired long ago.
So law is now as spiritual food poison.
http://www.godshew.org/ShewBread9.htm

Comparing law vs grace "glory"s:
grace glory is what's "much more";
so much more law fades to nothing,
as moon & stars fade when sun comes.
http://www.godshew.org/TwainShew3.htm#Glorys

When understanding is embraced (Prov 4)
result: thy head crowned with "grace glory".

Wherever sin(law) abounded,
grace did "much more" abound;
Till in the end no mention of law(sin & death):
http://www.godshew.org/NoLawNoDeadEnd.htm

The "grace" of our Lord JC with you all. Amen.

Answer 8

Well said, the idea is just a way of protecting people who are afraid of death.

Answer 9

You don't have a soul? Try explaining that to James Brown!

Answer 10

God did give humans a soul. and even the angels were jealous.
we are the only life on Earth to have a soul. now that is what bothers me!! The family pet, all dogs go to heaven?? ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
(I'll still hold out in my hope that I'll see old Blue again)