2007-02-17 10:55:19 · 29 answers · asked by ? 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
There are no religious books I know of that specifically deny a soul/spirit to all animals.
2007-02-17 10:59:15 · answer #1 · answered by Terry 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Nowhere does Scripture explicitly state that animals do not have souls...There is nothing in Scripture I know of that would preclude the possibility of animals' continued existence...The Bible does give us some reason to hope that departed animals will be restored. We read in the Bible that redemption is a cosmic matter. The whole creation is destined to be redeemed through the work of Christ (Romans 8:21), and we see the images of what heaven will be like; beautiful passages of Scripture tell us about the lion and lamb and other animals being at peace with one another.(Isaiah 11:6-8). Whenever heaven is described, though it may be in highly imaginative language, it is a place where animals seem to be present. Whether these are animals newly created for the new heavens and the new earth, or they are the redeemed souls of our pets that have perished, we can't know for sure.
2007-02-18 23:38:21 · answer #2 · answered by Freedom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nowhere in the Bible does it say that animals do not have souls. In fact in multiple places it suggests they do. Remember that the original Hebrew word for "spirit" is the exact same word they use for "breath".
In Genesis 7:22 all animals and people are discribed as having the "breath and spirit of life". In Ecclesiastes 3:21 the spirits of humans and animals are compaired and contrasted. This may be figurative or rhetorical language, or it may be an indication that animals have spirits or souls. I think the idea that animals do not have souls comes more from church tradition and speculation than from Biblically grounded fact.
2007-02-17 19:19:39 · answer #3 · answered by The Link 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
God created the heavens and the earth and everything living on the earth. So why wouldn't animals be included in Heaven, I believe they will be along with flowers and trees and everything He created. There were animals in the garden of eden and God let Adam name them that's in the book of Genesis in the Bible. Now as far as animals having souls we'll have to wait till we get to Heaven to ask.
2007-02-17 19:04:24 · answer #4 · answered by 1stclassgal 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Animal like humans are a soul. Genesis 2:7
And no, animals have no need for a Ransom and therefore will not be going to heaven.
2007-02-17 22:20:27 · answer #5 · answered by Here I Am 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Animals have souls. We suck out their souls when we bite off their little furry heads at the dinner table.
Grandma lives in heaven, because she ran out of Social Security money. Grandma has a choice to be a monkey or a pig next time.
Never kick the pigs, you could be kicking Grandma. Well, maybe kick them a little . . . .
2007-02-17 18:59:40 · answer #6 · answered by Marc Miami 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Though animals die in the same manner as man, they do not share his hope of a resurrection.
In the Bible the word “soul” applies not only to humans but also to animals. For example, in describing the creation of sea creatures, Genesis 1:20 says that God commanded: “Let the waters swarm forth a swarm of living souls.” And on the next creative day, God said: “Let the earth put forth living souls according to their kinds, domestic animal and moving animal and wild beast of the earth according to its kind.”.
The word “soul” as used in the Bible refers to a person or an animal or to the life that a person or an animal enjoys. The Bible’s definition of the soul is simple, consistent, and unencumbered by the complicated philosophies and superstitions of men.
Animals were created with a limited life span, humans had the prospect of living on earth forever. ( Psalm 37:29) Jesus Christ said that to enjoy “everlasting life,” we must exercise faith and take in knowledge of God, things that animals are incapable of doing. (John 17:3)
God created animals for the sake of humans. Animals can help them do their work and can serve as their companions or pets. They also serve to magnify God’s love and wisdom.
The Creator gave life to both humans and animals. But for how long were they to continue to live? Scientists report that humans seem to have the potential of endless life, so that investigators are perplexed as to why man dies. The Bible gives the reason. It says that the Creator gave the first humans the opportunity of living forever. Death came only because they rebelled. (Gen. 2:17; 3:17-19) What, though, of animals? They are not capable of conscious rebellion against God; yet they live only for a length of time and then die. Hence, it is clear that the Creator never purposed that individual animals live forever. For them death was natural.
2007-02-17 19:25:02 · answer #7 · answered by BJ 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
They may have a soul, but it might not be an immortal soul. The soul dies with the animal. Another answer is that their souls are our own and that there is reincarnation. If you have bad karma, you might come back as a donkey. Every philosophy has it own theory, so chose the one that works best for you.
2007-02-17 19:06:45 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
really, I think that they are important to God even if you believe that they have no souls, after all they do so much good and I believe in the rainbow bridge for animals.
God did tell Noah to put them on the ark after all.
2007-02-17 18:57:44 · answer #9 · answered by purplejadedragon 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think animals have souls. It has been documented that loved ones are seen after their death w/ their loved pet/ best friend.
Anyone that has owned and loved a pet woud agree that they do have souls and live in the afterlife.
2007-02-17 18:58:34 · answer #10 · answered by Jennewren :) 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋