Do you believe you have a "soul"?

Question

Do you believe you have a soul? If so, do you also believe that other living things have souls? Do animals have souls? What do you believe happens to your soul when you die? If animals have souls what happens to their souls when they die? If human souls go to heaven (according the Christianity etc) then what happens to the animal soul that has no religious faith? I'm not looking for religious dogma just your thoughts on the concept of a soul. Please don't answer if you're just looking for the two points! Thank you for your time!

Answer 1

Actually, I do...but not in the way that most people think of a "soul".

There are clearly non-physical aspects to our existence, that need not be supernatural (our thoughts, beliefs, motivations, ideals). These affect other people, and in many respects out-live us. This is better and more valuable than any religious doctrine of a "soul', as far as I'm concerned.

Some animals have at least some of these things, in simpler form.

I don't find any reason to believe in a soul that remains perfectly intact, is judged by a deity, etc.

Answer 2

Yes, I have a soul. I also believe that most peoples' souls are not here for the first time and have been around for years and years. I believe in ghosts, reincarnation, karma and that what you do when you are alive now determines what happens in the next round.

Now, for the animals, I don't know. I have wondered the same thing too. My thought is when we do go to heaven, you will have to pay for all the animals and bugs that you have accidentally or purposely killed in your life. I can just picture someone dying and standing at the gates of heaven waiting to get in, then once that happens, being surrounded by squirrels with their front paws crossed over their chest and tapping their back ones, shaking their heads. Hey, just someone who's bored and has nothing else to do when driving, but think...

Answer 3

In the original-language the hebrew and greek words used in the scriptures for the word soul, show "soul" to be a person, an animal, or the life that a person or an animal enjoys.

Since you are asking mainly about animals please see these verses:
Ge. 1:24, 2:19; 9:10-16;
Lev 11:10, 46; 24:18

Hebrew

Nephesh comes from the word meaning "breathe" and is literally translated
"a breather"

psykhe has the basic definition of 'life" or "personality"

The idea of a separate soul is from Plato (and not the bible) according to The New American Bible, glossary.

The hope of everlasting life comes in the hope in the resurrection. Unfortunately, the bible does not offer a resurrection hope to animals.

Jesus liken death to sleep, Adam did not exist prior to his creation, when he sinned he returned to the dust from where he came.

Moses said we have life or death before us

(Eccel. 9:5, 10)

Immortality is a reward for faith (Ez 18:4, 1 Cor 15:50-56)

Answer 4

According to ancient Greek philosophy and Christian doctrines both animals and humans have souls. A soul is what gives life to the body. Without it the body would just be a corpse. A human soul is eternal but an animal's soul is not.

Now my thoughts.

The fabric of reality encompasses many dimensions. There are many theories in physics to explain this, the most popular is string theory which has about 11 dimensions. What we call quarks are packets of energy. In fact, all matter can be considered as energy confined to a cage. So also our mind exists in a quantum state as well.

When we die our quantum energy (soul) continues. In this way our lives are seen as opportunities for developing this energy. Everything you do, everything you say, everything that enters your mind -- all contribute to the construction of your soul (quantum energies).

Therefore, the meaning of life, is to seek knowledge, practice love and relish everything in the world that is beautiful. This will help form the type of quantum energy you want when you leave your body.

Part of the evidence for supporting these ideas are found in quantum physics, near death experiences, and ghost investigators.
http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/imp/jcs/1994/00000001/00000002/630

Answer 5

You've asked a lot of questions.
I don't believe that I have a soul, I believe that I AM a soul. Yes, I believe that animals are souls also, but a different kind of soul. When I die, I believe that I will go to the Otherworld to feast, rest, and review what I have learned before coming back. I believe that animal souls also go to the Otherworld and their energies join with other animal energies of that species. For example, when my kitty passes, she will join with other feline energies in the Otherworld. When a cat gives birth, each kitten will have feline energy (kitty souls). When hunting for deer, I thank the spirit of the deer for it's sacrifice (the collective deer energies) rather than the individual soul of that particular deer.

Answer 6

yes i believe that we have souls .. as do animals ... it is what makes us consious living beings , capable of love
i believe that after death our spirit/soul does continue in the afterlife , i feel the same happens to animals ( all be it on a different realm of existence )
as for pets ... when we love someone/something that love holds us together even in death .. and one day we will meet again

Answer 7

You might find more peace in answering things that you know instead of things you don't know. Try this...instead of "Do you think we exist after death?" ...ask the following...Do I (we) exist now? Can I see and experience wonderful things now? Is having fun and enjoying what we have now important?
See, the problem in determining that which is difficult and highly improbable to answer, one is immediately lost cause we cannot answer that which we really do not know. We CAN answer what we do know. Is life cool? Can you see wonderful and beautiful colors? Do you love somebody? Huh??? Try this one...If we are dead already, does death really exist? (does life exist after death?) I hope you might extract comfort in some of the truth that lies herein. I think this might help...Have a nice day! :)

Answer 8

Humans all have souls. Animals don't have souls.

Answer 9

I do not believe in a 'soul' as it is usually defined. I am a carrier of energy as are all living, and many non-living, things.

Answer 10

I wish i didn't have a soul because i wouldn't have to feel so much pain and suffering... there and the rest Idk?