Folks, how can animals have no souls? If they do not have souls what animates their body?

Question

Is it not the spirit which animates the body? Is it not the sprit which moves the body, causes life to function in the body? Lest it just be a mass of flesh.

Answer 1

What animates the flesh is energy. Like a fuel powers a car, the food that we consume gives us energy to animate the body. The food (assuming its a plant) in turn got its energy from the sun and the rain and nutrients in the soil. The sun in turn gets its energy from several nuclear reactions that occur within its core.

Science is now aware of these energies which are latent even in the atom and in sub-atomic levels. These energies in sub-atomic levels pervade the entire universe.

In a nutshell, this energy is latent in every speck of matter that exists in the universe. This energy also works in a very organized fashion according to certian laws and regulations, some of which are too precise and beyond human imagination.

The law that governs these energies can be safely said to have been designed as opposed to a freak accident in the universe. It is a purposeful energy that serves several causes. It reveals high thought, organization, precision, intelligence and above all welfare, harmony and balance in creation and nature.

By observing this one may come to a conclusion that there exists an all powerful, all pervading consciousness that controls this energy - that controller is also often called as God. That God or Source of energy is capable of anything and everything. There is nothing that beyond its ken or beyond its power, hence it is almighty.

The energy that animates our bodies and that of plant and animal form is often called a soul and is a tiny fraction of the energy that pervades this universe which in turn is but a small aspect of the source called God.

To answer your question. Yes! Animals do have souls and so does every thing, everywhere in this Universe. Its up to you now to decide how much in line you want to live with the guiding priciples behind this energy and its source or against it by limiting it through dogmas and fanatic beliefs.

Answer 2

If you have a Bible, I can prove that animals are NO different than man in that respect!

Ecclesiastes 3:19-21 (paraphrased) says this. What happen to man, also happens to beasts (animals of all kinds). One dies and so does the other, that man has NO preeminence over the animal.

They both come from the dust of the earth, and so they shall return to dust.

Verse-21 is rather unique, with respect to the fact that it has a question mark at the end. And a question mark, in any respect, elicits a required response from the reader.. which would in this case be you! It reads, WHO says that the spirit of man rises, while the spirit of an animal decends into the earth?

It really doesn't take a rocket-scientist to figure out that these verses are telling us that man, in all of his infinite wisdom; has the very same heart, mind and soul as the animal.

As a man can possess an evil spirit and can be cold and calculating, so can an animal. Or, as a man can be kind and gentle, so can an animal. There is one difference between man and animal that goes unmatched..

Have you ever noticed how an dog for example, can be kicked and beaten around; yet he'll come back to you? He doesn't do this to demonstrate that he wants more of the same. He's expressing his willingness to forgive. A clear and present expression of un-conditional love. Something which most people are incapable of. We tend to hold a grudge! Don't we?

Now back up and read verse-18, until it becomes clear to you.

Answer 3

Animals have a soul that we humans will never comprehend. Take dogs for instance...Dogs possess a loyalty that no human can compete with. Where does that loyalty come from?

Cats are intuitive and sometimes affectionate in ways that are baffling. My cat (before she died) was in tune with my emotions. If I was upset about something, she would crawl up in my lap and look me straight in the eyes (as though she wanted to comfort me). It was strange because most of the cats I know are prissy and self righteous. My cat was not a lap cat, nor did she like to be picked up. However, when I was upset about something, she would try to take care of my need to be consoled. Damn, I miss her. I just hope there is something special waiting for all the pets who give us humans the companionship and love they do.

Answer 4

Because I accept the reincarnation concepts, Fish have something they called soul (i like to call it a concius).

But don't ever try to ask if plant have soul or not because they are growing. Plants are a life "thing"

Answer 5

The soul is a word humans use to describe their feelings, emotions, etc. - in other words, their personality - because they have self-awareness, which means they perceive themselves.

It does not exist in any other sense except as a concept.

Animals do not have self-awareness, so they cannot even contemplate whether or not they have souls. And they don't, so it's just as well.

Answer 6

just because something is alive and moves does not mean it has a soul. a soul is nothing more than the product of a sentient, self-aware being, and it's characterization of itself. animals are not sentient, nor are they aware of themselves in more than a rudimentary way, so they cannot contemplate their own existence in the same way humans do. and no, soul and spirit have nothing whatsoever with animation. being alive does not give you a soul.

Answer 7

I have never ever heard that a soul was required to activate the Brain, Tissue, Muscle, etc..

Trees are alive and sap move through them --- would that mean they have a soul too? I doubt it.

Very interesting concept.

Answer 8

Flesh can be antimated by the movement of the muscles and the control of the brain. Animals have both.

Answer 9

Actually, the Bible uses two words...

Soul = Lifeforce. This is what you are talking about.
Spirit = Eternal essence. Only humans have a spirit.

However, we usually use both of these words to mean spirit.

So, while you are correct, in your question, you are not correct in your questions that follow.

Answer 10

I asked this question a few weeks back. I believe they do have souls. If you have multiple pets (dogs, cats, etc.), you see they have different personalities--that's not just instinct or basic brain activity. They also have obvious emotions. If they don't have souls, we don't, either!