I'm a Christian and an animal lover. I believe that animals have souls and go to Heaven, but other Christians say that they don't have souls. I'm just wondering, where in the bible does it say that animals don't have souls? I strongly believe that they do but if the bible says that they don't than I'll believe it. Please give references. And please no flames.
2006-12-02 06:08:24 · 13 answers · asked by mandamandapanda 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I have never seen in the Bible that animals do not have souls. Ask your Christian friends that has told you differently where they have found this passage in the Bible. If they can't give you one, then tell them until you are proven wrong, you will continue to believe the way you choose. Better yet, ask your Minister about this, and have him/her give you the passage, IF there is one. I believe animals do have souls. God made animal before he made man. Man was put on this earth to care for the animals. Anything that has a heart beat and breaths, has a soul. I too am an animal lover. I have had pets very dear to my heart that has passed on. I like to think I will reunite with them as well as the rest of my family and loved ones that has gone before me.
2006-12-02 06:43:46 · answer #1 · answered by Vida 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Half the posts on here will say they don't have souls and the other half will say they do. If you think animals go to Heaven, what's wrong with just believing that? Can you just forget your belief if someone finds a verse in the Bible that says animals don't go to Heaven? Would you WANT to?
2006-12-02 14:13:06 · answer #2 · answered by Brooke 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ecc 3:21 Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?
The King James translation of Ecclesiastes 3:21 is not the best rendition of that passage in Hebrew. It is better rendered "who knows if the spirit of a man goes upwards, and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the Earth" like the NIV and TNIV renders it, which reinforces the point that animals not only have a spirit, but also an afterlife as well. Remember, in this section of Ecclesiastes, Solomon is saying that man is but a beast and is no better off in death.
But beast can mean different things...all in how you translate it.
2006-12-02 14:15:01 · answer #3 · answered by ~Another Day~ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no evidence of any kind that there is any such thing as a "soul," for people or for animals.
The bible is silent on the issue of souls for animals. Although you can imply from several places in the bible that the bible writers did not believe that animals had souls, they believed that animals were created solely for use by humans and nothing else.
2006-12-02 14:16:34 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Mankind was created in God's image... the animals were not... God intended man to live immortal in eden... but when man rejected God he was cast out of eden and lost immortality in the Flesh... But... God left immortality in the spirit within mankind... to have immortality there has to be an immortal soul... no animal was ever spoken of in this way... animals are a part of the provision God gave mankind to use... there is no need of any animal to have an immortal soul... and God will provide another bounty in Heaven for those who make it there... and if God deems animals to be part of that heavenly bounty then he will peovide them... no, I do not believe any animal has a soul.
2006-12-02 14:15:48 · answer #5 · answered by idahomike2 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, animals have souls. No, they don't go to heaven.
Humans are made up of BODY, SOUL and SPIRIT. Animals of BODY and SOUL. Plants of BODY.
The physical body dies. We see that in plants, animals and humans.
The soul is the personality, will, emotions that make up who you are. If you lose a leg, you are still you. Animals have personality, will, emotions, intellect, ability to reason, but they were not made in the image of God.
Our spirit is made up of (for lack of a better way to put it) the same "material" that God is made up of. It's this spirit that will carry our soul after the physical death. The spirit will either carry the soul to God, or away from Him. Animals don't have a spirit.
2006-12-02 14:15:45 · answer #6 · answered by teran_realtor 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Are you saying that if there is a scripture in the bible that says that your animals don't have souls that you will believe it? Are you incapable of independent thought? Is this a mental problem of yours? Have you ever heard of common sense? Good luck in life. You are going to need it.
I know my Shadow is waiting for me when I cross over.
2006-12-02 14:14:31 · answer #7 · answered by Gorgeoustxwoman2013 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Why you would believe text over what your senses tell you is crazy talk. If your senses tell you something then continue to explore that and don't relent because a book that you believe in tells you so. Always remain a questioner, the moment you think you hold the answer in your grasp is the moment you have nothing.
2006-12-02 14:12:57 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
While the soul and spirit are two different things, maybe this verse might help....
Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast, that goeth downward to the earth? (Ecclesiastes 3:21)
2006-12-02 14:11:40 · answer #9 · answered by hmghosthost 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I believe they don't unfortunately. Just my opinion. I am an animal lover as well but Jesus did not die for animals he died for humans. Animals don't have a will. Man does. That is MY BELIEF and that is fine. Believe what you want.
2006-12-02 14:10:37 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋