The essence of what makes you you? Okay, great but what the heck is that?
The part of you that resides in the spiritual realm? Um, okay but what does that mean?
Can you just give me any definition that you think your soul is? Or if you're pretty sure you don't have a soul, can you tell me why you don't? Or better yet, tell me why other people think they do have a soul.
2006-11-13 11:25:56 · 9 answers · asked by Ashley 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
People like the idea of a soul because it represents continuity of existence. Memory provides context to our self-awareness and makes it possible to envision the past and future. The perception of causality causes us to seek meaning in our lives.
We are aware of nothing when we are unconscious, except possibly dreams, whatever they are. If death was simply the end of life and consciousness, it would suggest that the meaning we perceive is an illusion. This depresses some people. They prefer to believe that something that is them survives death.
Of course, no such concept exists in the Hebrew Bible. This was an idea imported from the Greeks.
2006-11-13 11:34:04 · answer #1 · answered by skepsis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The soul is the spiritual element of man that raises him above the animals.
It is the seat of the rational intellect and free-will (the intellect is not in the brain, but the brain is necessary to think in this life).
It is the life-giving principle of the body.
A spirit is defined as something possessing a real act of existence, but it is not composed of parts that are arranged, distributed, and interconnected in three dimension space, as are physical objects.
It does not have quantifiable parameters, such as meters of Length, kilograms of mass, candela of light etc.
It does not exist in the human body as one thing within another.
It is not a ghost in a machine.
St. Thomas Aquinas defined it as the form of the body, so its union with the body can be likened to shape to a statue.
Just like a statue is not two things - shape plus marble - but is one thing - shaped marble, the human person is not two things - soul plus body - but one thing - ensouled body.
It is created at conception by God, and at death separates from the body to go before God in judgment.
Although it is the form of the body, it can exist on its own (but in an incomplete state).
It is incomplete on its own, so God will raise the body at the end of time to reunite it with the soul, so that the human person is integral again.
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2006-11-13 11:40:11 · answer #2 · answered by Catholic Philosopher 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Bible plainly says that man "became a living soul..." at the creation of Adam. Read Ezekiel 18:4 and verse 20:
"The soul that sinneth it shall die!" But don't just take my word for it, look it up in your own Bible, and you will see the absolute PROOF that we are not possessed of an "immortal soul" at all, but that there is, in fact, a "spirit in man" of which the Bible speaks; that spiritual quality of the mind of we human beings which lifts us far above the animal plane; makes us human, made in the image and similitude of God, possessed of a conscience, able to build character, and creatures of free moral agency and volition.
The Bible plainly shows that, at death, there is no further consciousness! Solomon said, plainly, that he did not know whether the spirit returned to God, or went back down into the earth-but one thing he knew, as did David his father, there is no further consciousness in death!
What would God want with all of those "souls," anyway? Have you ever heard a sermon wherein the pastor tried to tell you what you will be doing the third year you are "up in heaven"? How about your thirtieth year, three hundredth year, or the end of your third millennium? Life on this earth can be fairly interesting-especially if it involves a good deal of education, travel, and a wide range of experience. As Solomon said, our eyes are never satisfied; our ears are never filled. our thirst and taste never truly sated. Just because we have seen one gorgeous sunset does not mean we want it to be our last, we are not yet tired of hearing the beautiful sounds of nature, of beautiful music, the voice of loved ones, the happy laughter of our own babies-in short, we human beings are never really through living so long as we can still enjoy life!
What if the Bible promises you, not "heaven" in some wraith-like condition of a "soul" wafting around shuffling through harp music for billions of years, but promises you, instead. the first one-thousand years of co-rulership with Jesus Christ busily straightening out the incredible evils that grip this planet?
What if the Bible issued to you such challenges as becoming a mayor, president, king or ruler over small or great countries? What if, once given the great wisdom, patience, understanding, vast knowledge and experience, you are also equipped with the spiritual POWER to carry out your edicts? What would you do? Would you see to it there was no more crime? Would you eradicate poverty? Would you do away with sickness and disease? Would you outlaw war? Would such an opportunity be desirable?
Believe it or not, Almighty God DOES offer you an opportunity to help straighten out this world in the millennial reign of Jesus Christ! And, believe it or not, God is going to outlaw war, yet, human nature will remain pretty much the same during the first one-thousand years of the rulership of God's kingdom on this earth!
No, the world is not a "soul farm" with thousands dying daily and going either to "heaven or to hell." YOUR OWN BIBLE TELLS YOU PLAINLY WHAT REALLY IS GOING TO HAPPEN!
2006-11-13 11:38:48 · answer #3 · answered by His eyes are like flames 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The combination of your capacities for honesty, loyalty, mercy, empathy, growth, and contentment.
Whether it's given to you in a spiritual embodiment, or it's a result of nature/nurture, it's simply your capacity for being "human".
2006-11-13 11:39:18 · answer #4 · answered by freebird 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The souls of people are the thoughts of God.
When God thinks, he things kids, all he ever wanted was a family.
When God breathes into his thoughts, they become Spirits, God is Spirit, God sends them on their way to be born, and become a redeem person.
When God breathes things start living. when God inhales, that persons last breath comes back to him.
The souls of people are the thoughts of God:)
Peace!
2006-11-13 11:40:56 · answer #5 · answered by inteleyes 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your soul is that which, when someone scares the holy c... out you and your trying to run away in two different directions.
2006-11-13 11:36:52 · answer #6 · answered by guidedlight 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I always thought that it is the very Breath that God blew into our bodies to give us life
2006-11-13 11:28:49 · answer #7 · answered by julie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
good to the loopy Christians im a stealer considering im for serving to folks out of the closet. however to the lgbt(lesbian homosexual bi transgender) group identification don't forget myself a rescuer
2016-09-01 12:02:05 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
something in side of you.
2006-11-13 11:29:33 · answer #9 · answered by dogscandymango 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋