What do you think of my reasons for belief?

Question

Okay, here's just some of my reasons for my beliefs, not that I am trying to convert you or anything, and yes I know that this is stupid to even offer them, but here goes anyway.

I believe I have a soul. Why? Because I can love. If I was merely a body, why would I care about other things besides my own body? Atheists believe that man is body alone, no soul. So if I use the term soul to mean the guiding, intelligent principle of my being, then if you take that away, you have a soulless body, so basically, I, as the individual that controls my thoughts and actions and the one responsible for those actions, is not there anymore. Take away my soul, you take away me, who I am. If I am 100 percent body, and nothing else, what exactly is it that is me? If my arm is cut off, do you say, part of Julian is no more? Aren't I still here? Don't I retain my thoughts, beliefs, opinions, even without a body part?

Just some thoughts to consider, hope this wasn't too preachy.

Answer 1

Just as 'you' are not your arm, your body, your name, etc, neither are 'you' your thoughts, beliefs or opinions.

If you can retain your thoughts, you may also dispose of them. It is what is left when 'you' are empty that continues.

So, the question remains, "Who are 'you'?"

Answer 2

It sounds like you define the mind as "soul." Of course we have minds, we think, we feel. So do other animals. However, the mind is not a separate thing -- it is of your body. Without a functioning brain, there is no mind, no "you."

You wrote, "Don't I retain my thoughts, beliefs, opinions, even without a body part?" The answer is no. The mind is created by the brain. Damage or remove part or parts of the brain, and a whole new personality can emerge, or the person may cease to exist. Terry Sciavo is a case in point. Her body was kept alive long after the brain had been so badly damaged that there was no one in there anymore.

Answer 3

There is plenty of evidence which suggest that there is no separation of mind and spirit.

For example, as the body develops and grows, the capacity of the mind also develops and grows. As the body ages and deteriorates, the capacity of the mind also ages and deteriorates.

When a person is given drugs, such as anesthesia during surgery, to incapacitate the body, the mind is also incapacitated. If the mind were separate, this would not necessarily be the case.

So here is a question for you: If you develop Alzheimer's and your brain becomes a sponge, do you think that after you die your mind with regain all it's cognitive abilities? Or will your spirit spend eternity as a vegetable?

The same question can be asked of the "spirits" of babies. Are those minds nothing but "blank slates" roaming around mindlessly?

(And psst! Lot's of animals exhibit love. Not just humans. Are you going against the Christian mainstream to say that all animals have souls? Or at least mammals?)

Answer 4

If I tweak your brain a little (JUST for the sake of argument - say I hit you with a hammer). You would change. You would not be the same person. All I would have done is make a minor adjustment to your body (a few hundred neurons).

I wouldn't have damaged your "soul", but your soul as you defined it would no longer exist in the same way.

Answer 5

Thanks, Julian. Small nit to pick . . . not all atheists are agreed on the subject of a soul. They merely agree in the view that there is no creator god.

But love is the bottom line. If your beliefs, actions and behavior in the world are shaped by compassionate love for all living beings, then you will cause happiness and not suffering, and your theology or lack thereof is secondary.

Peace and happiness to you.

Answer 6

First, I want to say that I think your belief is wonderful if that works for you, so this is in no way an insult to you or your beliefs.
Do you also believe then that animals have a soul?
Dolphins have been shown to care for humans by protecting them from sharks (hundreds of cases of this have been reported).
Animals have been known to rescue humans and other animals from danger on many occasions.
If you have a soul by the virtue of caring for others outside yourself, then they must have one also.

If your brain stops working properly, are you still you? Those who are considered brain-dead.. they are not cognizant of what's happening, and they cannot care for others.. if we cut out your brain, are you still you?

Just some thoughts to consider.

Answer 7

I know that I do not have a soul. Why ? because I can love. Love comes from our emotions. it has nothing to do with angels, devils, gods, or anything else.
Nobody can take away what isn't there. A soul is only real in religious superstition.

Answer 8

I would like to offer up this alternative reason for you (or any of us) being able to love. How about natural selection? Obviously any animal, human or otherwise, who cannot love and care for others will leave fewer offspring. And what of someone like the VT shooter, who was filled with hate and anger and malice. Does he have a soul? He will leave no offspring, that's fo' sho'.

Answer 9

One little flaw on your premise: gorillas show love for their young and other gorillas. So do dolphins, wolves, and several other species. According to you, this means they have souls. I think many, if not most, religions would vehemently deny this. However, if that's what you believe, it's no skin off my back. As long as you aren't hurting anyone else, your beliefs are just as anyone else's beliefs.

Answer 10

Do you think animals have souls? My cat is the most loving creature on the planet. So if she has a soul, then she can go to hell for not following god? That's not very nice. If she doesn't have a soul, then your whole arguement is useless.

So which is it?

Answer 11

I don't believe because I look at the same situation.
People make things too complicated. I look at the basics. Emotions like love and happiness are just chemical reactions in the brain.