God says that during sleep our soul wonders outside our body, but comes back. The only difference between death and sleep is that in death, the soul doesn't come back. Not trying to prove anything here. I respect your beliefs. Just curious, if you do not believe we have souls, what's the scientific explaination for sleep?
2007-03-20 11:21:32 · 31 answers · asked by Saritta 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Sura 39, verse 42 reads as follows:
"God takes the souls (al-anfus) at the time of their death, and those that die not during their sleep; then He withholds those on whom He has passed the decree of death and sends the others back till an appointed term; most surely there are signs in this for a people who reflect." (Qur'an 39:42)
It's not in the Bible, it's in the Quran.
See this link for more information:
http://www.islamfrominside.com/Pages/Tafsir/Tafsir(39-42)-Sleep%20and%20Death.html
2007-03-20 11:38:18 · update #1
I understand that every living thing NEEDS to sleep to stay alive. Stop explaining sleep to me, I know what it is. It happens to me too you know.
2007-03-20 11:42:21 · update #2
There is no soul. There are no gods.
When you sleep, your brain dredges up various memories and scenarios, usually based on what you've been worrying about or thinking about during the day. Scientists think that sleep is a way for our bodies to rest. Dreams are our brain's way of resting.
2007-03-20 11:23:27 · answer #1 · answered by nondescript 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
During sleep the body rests to heal itself from wear and tear.
Dreams are the electromagnetic circulation of a brain in motion pressing in its own creative bounds.
The scientific difference between sleep and death is that your brain is still working...
By my judgment You are a far way off from becoming atheists if this was the purpose of your question. The Christian doctrine seems to have been embedded within your brain. But you do question something.
2007-03-20 18:31:33 · answer #2 · answered by qwe 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
And just when did "god" tell you this?
I don't have to make something up, believe something, etc. -- I KNOW (through evidence) what happens when we sleep. Our brains slow down our consicious mind in order to do housekeeping and maintenance. Memories get ordered, prioritized, sorted, and the imporant ones stored for the long-term (this is what dreaming is), hormone levels change to promote rest and repair of your body's cells, and sensory areas of your brain are less active so that they can rest. This isn't supposition, belief, myth, or anything else -- it's neurology. Pretty simple stuff, and no need for mythical 'gods' to tell us what happens.
Oh, and just what evidence do you have that there is any such thing as a "soul?" None exists, you know... :)
Peace.
2007-03-20 18:38:14 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The Bible doesn't say that, perhaps you are a Jehovah's Witness?
I'm not an Atheist btw, but I do have one detail question you can perhaps answer for me. If sleep is the soul leaving the body and wandering around, then why do animals sleep? They do not have souls.
2007-03-20 18:30:27 · answer #4 · answered by arewethereyet 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am very much a Christian but I have never heard that the soul wanders outside the body during sleep before. Where does that doctrine come from?
2007-03-20 18:25:01 · answer #5 · answered by rbarc 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
did god say that to you or can I find this in a bible somewhere?
Sleep is the state of natural rest observed in most mammals, birds, fish, as well as invertebrates such as the fruitfly Drosophila. It is characterized by a reduction in voluntary body movement, decreased reaction to external stimuli, an increased rate of anabolism (the synthesis of cell structures), and a decreased rate of catabolism (the breakdown of cell structures). In humans, mammals and many other animals which have been studied, such as fish, birds, mice and fruitflies, regular sleep is necessary for survival. The capability for arousal from sleep is a protective mechanism and also necessary for health and survival.
Hey, animals don't have souls according to you guys right? Why do they sleep?
2007-03-20 18:30:02 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
in sleep, your body rebuilds damaged tissue. Your mind ,through dreaming, processes the days events. also depending on how old you are most of your growth happens during this time.
If you believe sleep is caused by the soul leaving the body,,does that mean you believe animals have souls? Animals also sleep
2007-03-20 18:26:09 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sleep is a physical thing, it means rest for body and mind. I think sleep evolved according to the day and night rhythm of our environment.
Since all sorts of animals (even insects) sleep, you can hardly make a connection to a "soul". Or do you believe that insects have souls too?
2007-03-20 18:26:25 · answer #8 · answered by NaturalBornKieler 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
You also stop breathing when you die, your brain stops functioning, and your internal organs shut down. That is very differerent than sleep. The reasons for sleep while are not completely understood are being studied. It is under investigation. We shouldn't just to conclusions based on no evidence.
2007-03-20 18:26:15 · answer #9 · answered by Magus 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, if you think about it, we really don't know what happens to our Soul, assuming it exists. All science can explain is the function our brain performs during sleep. Who knows ?
2007-03-21 08:07:05 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋