2007-02-28 00:31:41 · 12 answers · asked by jamie c 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
I believe anything that lives and breathes that can walk, fly, swim or crawl can have a soul. God hasn't told me the true answer yet, but when he does I'll let you know.
2007-02-28 00:37:48 · answer #1 · answered by crzygal 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It only has to live to have a soul. That being said, everything is alive, from people to animals to insects to fish to grass to bacteria - and things we normally dont think of as alive - the rocks, the air, the water, laval, dirt - and then on an even grander scale - the Earth itself and every planet in the solar system, the sun, all the other suns and planets in the universe, the galaxys and more.
Existance is the only characteristic that decides who or what has a soul. For all things were made in the Spirit by God, so even the tiniest quantumn particle is composed of souls.
2007-02-28 08:40:08 · answer #2 · answered by MrKnowItAll 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Love.
Human beings love. Animals love each other and us (in the case of pets).
When you love, what do you think is doing the loving? Your heart? That's just an organ (not the cutesy shape of Valentine's Day cards, but the real thing that pumps blood through your veins). Your brain? Again, an organ, though it is the temporary home of your mind, feelings, memories etc.
It is your soul that loves. Animals love too. When I go to Heaven, I hope to be greeted by friends, family & beloved pets that have passed away. The Rainbow Bridge is a lovely poem about this idea...
That's what I think anyway! No one can know for sure until the time comes...
2007-02-28 09:03:12 · answer #3 · answered by amp 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Respect. If the person defining possession of a soul respects the subject of the definition, it usually has a soul. Thus animals, plants and other natural flora and fauna have souls in Native American and Pagan beliefs. Also, that is why many early Christians firmly believed people of color did not have souls.
2007-02-28 08:52:54 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Bible (I'm not a religious person, this is just for the sake of discussion) says that the soul is in the blood. I interpret this to mean that anything with blood has a soul. The defining element (Biblical) seems to be having a spirit.
2007-02-28 08:41:56 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You do not mention what your criteria for judging what a soul is. Are you interested in the Bible's viewpoint or the Buddhist or some other philosophy?
If you are interested in the Bible's viewpoint go to the following HP, look under the heading man. You'll find the soul discussed there.
http://www.bythebible.page.tl/
2007-02-28 09:49:53 · answer #6 · answered by Fuzzy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No idea. Should I tell my doggies they have no soul? They are beautiful and loyal and will all die before me. I want them to be there when and after I die so I can cuddle them and kiss them while they lick my face. I want to do the same with earlier doggies so I can say I'm sorry for not understanding them and for hurting them, even though I didn't mean to. I really hope they are all there, in fact that's all I hope for at the moment.
Gee is that important?
2007-02-28 09:02:30 · answer #7 · answered by Watcher 465 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeesss. Do tell. What characteristics define a soul? Where can I find it? Under the medulla oblongata?
Anatman. No self. the "you" you think you are doesn't exist in any permanent way.
2007-02-28 09:01:02 · answer #8 · answered by guy o 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anything that ever was, ever has been, ever will be. Anything you can think of (literally) and are with now. The characteristic is that it is a part of life, a part of the whole existence of life. Try to find something or think of something that is not a part of life.
2007-02-28 08:38:17 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My atheism has decided that nothing has a soul.
2007-02-28 09:32:59 · answer #10 · answered by lisateric 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋