Do you believe animals have souls? Why or why not?

[Robert Z]

If I were to choose a belief in regards to souls, it would be that everything that exists is part of a grand cosmic consciousness [we are the mind of God], which would by definition include animals.

 

 

But then that means my coffee table could be my soul mate. Oh well...

[Anela]

But, I have no idea if a beloved pet would be in heaven or not. Maybe lots of pets are in heaven. But probably for the good of the human soul who would benefit from its presence, not for the good of the animal itself.

 

I was going to "like" your post, until I reached this part. I always benefit from their presence, but I think they are just as worthy - if not more worthy than we are - of going to heaven, if it exists.

[TigerLilly78]

The "soul" is life's energy itself every living thing has it its just a matter of what frequency its working on. Life can not exist with out that energy of course animals have one until they die and then they are reborn just like humans..

[Noproblem]

Not sure if this is Biblical. The Gospel of Matthew records that demonic spirits hosted a bunch of pigs.

 

Here is an interesting verse. I've always wondered what it means:

 

"Who knows if the human spirit rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?” (Ecclesiastes 3:21 NIV)

 

At the very least it says animals have spirits.

 

Lastly, animals are not pure. When creation was cursed in Eden, EVERYTHING was cursed. This is why, currently, the lion does not lay down with the lamb.

 

 

I think this verse means

and no I am not religious

 

but I think it means when humans start losing their humanity and begin acting like animals ( no offense to any animal or anything)

[Eternal Sunshine]

Animals are so pure and not capable of evil that humans are. So if anyone is going to heaven....I still miss you Jesse

 

(my bunny that died 5 years ago).

[pie2]

I was going to "like" your post, until I reached this part. I always benefit from their presence, but I think they are just as worthy - if not more worthy than we are - of going to heaven, if it exists.

 

Ok.

 

Having a close relationship with our natural surroundings is so beneficial, imo. I'm glad you can benefit from having contact with animals.

 

But honestly, the animals you most likely have contact with are completely domesticated. The animals in the wild deserve a healthy dose of respect, because they would react as they're designed to if threatened (resulting in injury or possibly death).

 

And that's what I think animals do...they react according to their biological natures. I see no evidence of any animal having a consideration or thought for God or the hereafter. Do you?

 

I'm glad you've had great experiences with animals. But do you think scorpions will go to heaven? What about lice? Electric eels? If you don't think about those animals in heaven, which are the animals that will be going? Dolphins, dogs, cats, and bunnies? What is the cut off on what constitutes a heaven-bound being? What are the traits in an animal that make them (possibly) more heaven-worthy than people?

[3blindmice]

Ok.

 

Having a close relationship with our natural surroundings is so beneficial, imo. I'm glad you can benefit from having contact with animals.

 

But honestly, the animals you most likely have contact with are completely domesticated. The animals in the wild deserve a healthy dose of respect, because they would react as they're designed to if threatened (resulting in injury or possibly death).

 

And that's what I think animals do...they react according to their biological natures. I see no evidence of any animal having a consideration or thought for God or the hereafter. Do you?

 

I'm glad you've had great experiences with animals. But do you think scorpions will go to heaven? What about lice? Electric eels? If you don't think about those animals in heaven, which are the animals that will be going? Dolphins, dogs, cats, and bunnies? What is the cut off on what constitutes a heaven-bound being? What are the traits in an animal that make them (possibly) more heaven-worthy than people?

 

I believe animals and all living things have souls. I believe animals will be on earth and the new earth when it's made. The bible says that the meek will inherit the earth and the wise will inherit the heavens. I take that to mean in heaven you're in spirit form and on the earth you would be in the flesh.

 

Jesus said how the animals will follow a child and eat of the grass. Lions and lambs grazing together and snakes will eat of the dust. I believe the people who inherit the earth will be like the animals are now. Meaning animals live and die and return to live and die again. I had 2 cats and they died, I have those same 2 cats today. I believe animals can choose to come back and live as many times as they want.

[Photofinish]

If animals have no souls then there is no chance that humans have any. Humans are the only true evil on earth.

[RoseMadder]

Yes animals have souls. I know because my cat is scratching at the kitchen door for his bedtime snack. That in itself wouldn't be a big deal but we had him put to sleep yesterday. No joke.

[SOB86]

Agnostic here, but I would assume if humans have souls then so do animals, or all life. There isn't much of a difference between humans and the rest of the animal kingdom. We're just capable of more critical thinking.

[pie2]

I believe animals and all living things have souls. I believe animals will be on earth and the new earth when it's made. The bible says that the meek will inherit the earth and the wise will inherit the heavens. I take that to mean in heaven you're in spirit form and on the earth you would be in the flesh.

 

Jesus said how the animals will follow a child and eat of the grass. Lions and lambs grazing together and snakes will eat of the dust. I believe the people who inherit the earth will be like the animals are now. Meaning animals live and die and return to live and die again. I had 2 cats and they died, I have those same 2 cats today. I believe animals can choose to come back and live as many times as they want.

 

Would you be able to provide bible verses that led you to the believe that animals return to live and die again?

 

If animals have no souls then there is no chance that humans have any. Humans are the only true evil on earth.

 

I agree that humans are distinctly different than animals! Yes...humans do awful, evil things!!! In no way would it ever seem just that a sweet bunny is less significant than an evil human in the eyes of God.

 

But that's the mystery that we don't understand. God created us, and holds us in a special position, unlike any other part of his creation. And the only way anyone can enter heaven is if they are made free under the sacrifice of Christ. Otherwise, all God can see is our horrible, sinful nature.

 

It's definitely a mystery.

 

Yes animals have souls. I know because my cat is scratching at the kitchen door for his bedtime snack. That in itself wouldn't be a big deal but we had him put to sleep yesterday. No joke.

 

Huh? So, is your cat still alive, or....a ghost...?

[RoseMadder]

Huh? So, is your cat still alive, or....a ghost...?

 

He's definitely dead, we buried him.

 

I've had about twelve cats and six dogs in my lifetime and nothing like this has happened before, it really is quite bizarre.

 

I was talking to our postman this morning and we both heard a loud meow from in the house, he said something like "someone wants their breakfast" and walked off back to his van and I'm stood on the doorstep thinking 'what the f**k do you feed a dead cat?

[3blindmice]

Would you be able to provide bible verses that led you to the believe that animals return to live and die again?

 

No I can't, I'm using my experience with my cats coming back to me.