I know my three cats and three dogs have souls. I can feel their souls. They give uncondional love with no strings attached.
2007-05-21 05:53:54 · 35 answers · asked by Lynnemarie 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Maybe I worded the question wrong. Why do animal haters think dogs and cats have no souls?
That coffin remark was uncalled for. I looked upon the bodies of my dad and grandmother in the same week. You are clueless.
2007-05-21 06:07:43 · update #1
I got into a HUGE fight with a sunday school teacher over that when I was ten, she sent me to talk to the pastor who told me that she was just a mean old lady and that yes, dogs and cats do go to heaven
2007-05-21 06:10:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
I love animals. I especially love dogs. I also like the idea that you can 'feel' their souls.
I don't believe animals have a 'soul' in the same way that I believe man does, however. There is a unique difference between people and all other animals. We were created in the image of God, which is overly simplistic for many people, but goes directly to the point - we are different.
I have no idea if animals have some kind of 'soul', which they might. But I don't believe they do as you or I do.
2007-05-21 06:04:07 · answer #2 · answered by super Bobo 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
As a recovering Catholic, I can tell you they have a lot of mean views. My parish priest from my childhood comes up for parole every year. But, once a pedophile, always a pedophile. He is wisely held for another year each time.
Buddhists teach all animals have souls, some more advanced than others. Hopefully, we humans can catch up with dogs and cats in the near future. Why waste time working when you can lay on your back in the sun and let your tongue hang out?
2007-05-21 06:08:15 · answer #3 · answered by Owl Eye 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Good question.
First of all, it's not just Catholics who believe that dogs and cats have no souls. All Christians -- Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant -- believe that. So do Jews. I'm sure other religions also believe it.
Second, the fact that cats and dogs give what may seem to be unconditional love is not evidence of a soul.
Third, it's highly debatable that cats and dogs give love to anybody. It may seem that they do, but I doubt their brains really work that way.
Dogs can be very protective of their human owners, but it would be a mistake to interpret this as love. It's instinct. Not to mention, a dog has a vested interest in being protective of its owner(s). After all, the dog knows that it's the owner(s) who will feed it and care for it.
The presence of a soul in a living being means that the living being is capable of recognizing the God who loves us, and is capable of loving Him back. Animals don't possess this attribute. Therefore, they have no souls.
.
2007-05-21 06:02:19 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 3⤋
Not only Catholics believe that animals don't have a soul. The fact that animals were only created to please us humans and the fact that God didn't create them to have fellowship with Himself should tell you that. God created us to love, adore, and need Him. Animals do NOT have souls. That is a concept I had to get over with, too! I love animals a lot, especially cats. Just because I love them doesn't mean anything. Just because they love back doesn't mean they have a soul. Your heart is the emotional part of your body that makes you care about something. Love is a choice you have to make, it is not just a feeling.
You seem like you need someone to love you, someone with no strings attached. There is someone who loves you more than your mine can conceive. His name is Jesus Christ, and He wants to be the Lord of your life. There isn't any strings with Christ. He loves you just the way you are. He knew who you were before you were born. All you have to do is put away your pride and ask Him to forgive you for all your sins. His love is an unconditional compassion. He wants you to love Him. Christ died on the cross and bore your shame. He rose again three days later so no one could think He was a fake. He loves you very much!
Bless you!
2007-05-21 06:32:48 · answer #5 · answered by sharid64 3 · 1⤊ 3⤋
It is commonly acknowledged, even by Catholics, that cats have souls (nine lives). ;~} It is the Catholic Church as an institution that is a little slow on the uptake. Remember how long they held on to the notions that the earth was flat, and then that it was the center of the universe? The idea that humans have a monopoly on soulfulness is analogous to the idea that the earth has a monopoly on intelligent life.
2007-05-21 06:06:54 · answer #6 · answered by RE 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I don´t believe that too .... and I'm supposed to be katholik or harlkolik, whatever (really nevermind) Just the point is: everything has a soul even rocks, just rad that someone wrote that nothing has as soul and thought poor soul .Have a nice day
2007-05-21 06:06:05 · answer #7 · answered by ricardo_puga_madrigal 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Cats and dogs don't throw into the collection plate, never buck up at a CWL bake sale, and refuse to be alter boys. What the hell is the Pope; let alone God Almighty, gonna do with this sort of insolence!!??!! Nope, they just don't like it and they'll never acknowledge the inner essence of canine/feline spirituality. Maybe the Buddhists?
2007-05-21 06:10:31 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Every animal has a soul. It's a shame that some religions don't believe so. If they had no soul they wouldn't be able to love.
2007-05-21 06:10:53 · answer #9 · answered by Water Witch 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not all of us do, Illyria.
A lot of that is the general Christian (not just Catholic) misunderstanding of what "dominion" means - as in Genesis.
Dominion means to protect. Not whole sale slaughter. We have dominion over our children. Hmmm. So we're to care for animals as if they are our children?
I have always wondered why die-hard bible readers just don't get that.
Did you know the first pet hospital was founded by a Catholic?
St. Martin de Porres
http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintm02.htm
St. Francis of Assisi taught than animals are our brothers and sisters.
http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintf01.htm
St. Francis de Paola founded the first vegan order because he didn't believe in killing animals for food.
http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintf02.htm
Also St. Nicoles of Tolentino. Vegetarian because he did not believe in killing animals.
http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintn07.htm
Pope John Paul II also believed animals are our brothers. That God breathed life into them the same as us. He even has his own PETA page.
http://www.goveg.com/f-popejohnpaulii.asp
As does B-16...
http://www.goveg.com/f-popebenedictxvi.asp
If I had more time, I'd find some articles for you on vegetarian and vegan bishops who are putting a stop to animal cruelty in Chistian carnivals. Things like rat spinning and gold fish abuse.
We have our first Vegan, Catholic presidential candidate too. He's taken a great stand against animal abuse.
http://kucinich.us/
http://www.veganshirt.com/
2007-05-21 06:09:24 · answer #10 · answered by Max Marie, OFS 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋