Do animals have souls?

[Ori]

And if not, why not?

 

[Feathers in Hair]

In my religion, and in my experience, they do. I know it's not something I could prove to anyone who's already made up their mind, but I believe this is so.

 

[Jaymes]

If such a thing exists, I see no reason why they wouldn't have one.

 

[michel]

hehe, yes they do (though, like Feathers, I could not prove it).

 

[JohnG139]

If guilt (being able to judge one's behavior with respect to a moral code) is an indicator of the possession of a soul, then definitely yes.
You should only look at 'Gypsy' when I tell her "Bad dog"!

 

[Katzpur]

Yes, I believe they do. I also believe that they will be resurrected someday.

 

[Original Freak]

I say no...but then again I don't believe in souls anywya.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

I am sure they do.
But I am not so sure this is church teaching, Though there were a number of Saints who had an affinity with animals and seemed to think so.
I would go so far as to say all life has the equivalent of a soul that comes from and returns to God.
Terry
____________________________
Amen! Truly I say to you: Gather in my name. I am with you.

 

[Pah]

I feel if man has a soul, than the animals do as well. However, if a soul is a man-made concept, than some can deny animals have a soul.

P.S. I don't have a soul.

 

[ch'ang]

I would say there is no way to prove it one way or the other it's just if you belive it or not, I however am not sure

 

[niamhwitch]

"Do animals have souls?"

To that, I believe that they most certainly do. I also believe that animals are more connected with the Divine and the spiritual world than us humans. But of course, that is just my opinion.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Yes animals have a soul. Every living thing is capable of having a soul.

 

[Valjean]

Sure they do -- though I can offer no proofs. They have subjective souls and are part of the same objective Universal Consciousness we all are.

 

[Aqualung]

As JohnG139 said, I tend to associate a soul as having a concience and a moral code. I, however, don't think a dog or something will behave becuase it's "the right thing to do." I think he just does it because he doesn't want to be beat. I know my dogs have very good personalities, but I don't think personality equates a soul

 

[Valjean]

But they have consciousness, even self-awareness, don't they, Aqualung? Perhaps they have souls but have limited free-will?

Do the autistic, profoundly retarded or Alzheimer's sufferers have souls? -- They often show little evidence of conscience or moral codes.

 

[The Black Whirlwind]

each and every living being is a part of the Force, so yes.

 

[Aqualung]

But they have consciousness, even self-awareness, don't they, Aqualung? Perhaps they have souls but have limited free-will?

Do the autistic, profoundly retarded or Alzheimer's sufferers have souls? -- They often show little evidence of conscience or moral codes.

Well, they do have consciousness, but I don't think that is the same as a soul. Would a spider have a soul? I think we only think certain animals have souls because they are pets.

I think auitstic etc people do have souls, but their bodies are impared.

 

[Jaymes]

Why wouldn't a spider have a soul?

 

[Aqualung]

I don't know. I guess if you think a dog or something can have a soul you would think a spider could too. I just think it's rediculous to think that a spider could have a soul, and so I think my dogs are soul-less as well.

 

[Jaymes]

How is it ridiculous to think a spider has a soul? They're animals, just as we are.