2007-09-18 12:00:49 · 20 answers · asked by Bobby 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
No, they are a Soul
In the Bible’s creation account, we read: “God went on to say: ‘Let the waters swarm forth a swarm of living souls and let flying creatures fly over the earth upon the face of the expanse of the heavens.’ And God went on to say: ‘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.’ And it came to be so.” (Genesis 1:20, 24) In this passage, fish, domestic animals, and wild beasts are all referred to by the same word—“souls.” Birds and other animals are called souls at Genesis 9:10; Leviticus 11:46; and Numbers 31:28.
Interestingly, 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.” Genesis 1:24
Thus, 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.
Do other scholars who are not Jehovah’s Witnesses acknowledge that this is what the Bible says the soul is?
The term nepeš [ne′phesh], though translated by our word soul, never means soul as distinct from the body or the individual person. The term [psy·khe′] is the N[ew] T[estament] word corresponding with nepeš. It can mean the principle of life, life itself, or the living being.” New Catholic Encyclopedia
“The belief that the soul continues its existence after the dissolution of the body is a matter of philosophical or theological speculation rather than of simple faith, and is accordingly nowhere expressly taught in Holy Scripture.” The Jewish Encyclopedia
2007-09-18 12:45:52 · answer #1 · answered by BJ 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Animals ARE souls.
2007-09-18 19:44:33 · answer #2 · answered by conundrum 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Not only a soul, but there is a particular Canine here who purports to be The Almighty, and I believe, man. I believe!
2007-09-18 19:08:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
yes the soul is the body and the bible said, souls in the sea before humans were ever made.
2007-09-18 19:10:04 · answer #4 · answered by Steven 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just which soul would they be heaving?
2007-09-18 19:09:27 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
i had a dog named "mr. soul" he would leave every friday night and come back home sunday afternoon.
but in all honesty, i do believe that animals have souls. i believe that everything that was in the garden of eden will be in the kingdom of heaven.
2007-09-18 19:08:39 · answer #6 · answered by Ms. Lady 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No more than humans do. The soul is a man-made construct, with religious overtones.
2007-09-18 19:06:35 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Every living thing that God created has a soul. Rocks don't, but the earth itself is alive.
2007-09-18 19:15:33 · answer #8 · answered by Guitarpicker 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Absolutely - every dog I ever owned had more soul than most people I know.
2007-09-18 19:06:00 · answer #9 · answered by bandycat5 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
How far do you think they could heave it?
2007-09-18 19:06:11 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋