Do animals have a soul?

[jajbellsouthnet]

It's sort of a rhetorical question. I am convinced that they do. In the past, I had two dogs. One of them died. Before we could replace her, the male died of a broken heart. Wouldn't eat, just wanted to lay next to her grave. I vowed to never let that happen again. Next time around, I made sure that I always had three dogs around. If one died, the other two would not be alone. Right? Wrong! Recently lost a 12-year old female dobie and the other two are in deep depression. The lost dobie was the hunting mate of the other female and the playmate of the male. No amount of additional attention seems to have an effect. Does that mean that I need four dobies? Five?

[hillbilly_mom]

I think our pets feel pain and loss just like we do. When we lose someone we love and care for we take it hard and get depressed. Some people go on living, others want to go with their loved ones, such as older couples who pass away within months of each other. They lose the will to live.

Your two remaining dogs are still mourning the loss of their friend. They also may be picking up on the vibes you are giving out by you still missing your pet. Hugs for all of you. Pats on the heads for the dogs. Hopefully your remaining dogs can come to terms with the loss, as I pray you will too.

[RNKaren]

So sorry about the loss of your dog.

However, in a Biblical sense - I don't think they have souls. I really don't believe in an "animal" heaven, happy hunting grounds, whatever. I think that they definitely do have FEELINGS, and can mourn, get depressed, etc. But, in my opinion, when they're dead, they're dead.

I think God gave us the animals of the earth to use - for food, for work, protection, and yes, companionship. What a great blessing they are! I think that animals deserve to be respected and cared for. If you are raising animals for food, then so be it - but they deserve a happy life until that point, and then it needs to be as quick and painless as possible.

I, as all of you do, I'm sure - hate "animal abusers" or those people who get them and are just too stupid/lazy to take proper care of them. I saw some calves last week at the salebarn that were skin and bones, and obviously had the scours. One can't expect animals to "take care of them" if they don't return the favor.

My Dad always taught me to take care of the animals first - we had to feed the animals and do our chores before we got breakfast ourselves. Taught me an invaluable lesson.

Didn't mean to drift the thread here.....I've just been thinking about this a lot. :)

Again, sorry about your dogs - we can love them like family, and it hurts just as much.

[JohnW]

Hey jaj, it is a rehtorical question. You can never know what a dog or another person feels, at least not exactly. You can never make another person understand exactly how you feel.

Now, if you were a scientist, you could conduct all kinds of dog experiments, and you might discover some really far out stuff, but probably you would not learn anything as great as what you already learned from your dogs. I would say you are probably the dog expert, you know what they have as well as anyone.

[lost1]

Dog, God, Dog, God, Notice the connection?

[Suzy]

Some of the world's biggest theological scholars have never been able to answer that question....but if they don't have souls of their own they SURE touch MY SOUL....

[Vinland]

Well, of course dogs, and all animals have souls.... To live is to be, and you cannot BE without a soul. Our friends await us in heaven I say... :)

[mangyhyena]

Do animals have souls? Yes, I would say they do.

Are animal souls the same as human souls, with God's promise of heaven? No, I would say not. But God takes care of his creations. Perhaps he has something different in mind for animals that pass on. Perhaps not. The bible doesn't really say but that doesn't mean there is no plan of his to take care of them later. We'll all get to find out one day. It's just an opinion of mine.

[CarolAnn]

I'm not sure that all people have souls, let alone animals. At least, I've known some animals that seemed to have more love, kindness, and compassion than some people do. If that's soul, then . . . yes!

Maybe there's a degree of soul - some more, some less. It grows as character develops . . . or not.

[Doglover]

From my user name you will know I am a bit bias on this but.....

Why wouldn't they? I am convinced that if humans do they do.

I think that the Juda/Christian/Islamic tradition is very anthrocentric and I feel has been used, at times, to justify exploitation of animals. (FYI I am a Christian)

The saying "its just an animal' is usually followed by abuse. Not many years ago in Germany some said "they are only Jews"

The creation of Hierarchies in our lives like humans over animals and Whites over Blacks, Christians over Jews etc.... have led to feelings of security for the Majority and powerful but also abuse for the minority.

Our greater grey matter doesn't make us anymore apt to have a soul IMHO. Logically there is no reason to believe otherwise.

Some will say that my statements are unchristian and thus I am not a true Christian. But to be a Christian I only have to believe that Jesus is my savior.....

[Suzy]

I am kind of a closet vegetarian...didn't eat meat at all for five years and now just eat it occassionally and it bothers me when I do...

My mama always says that God put animals on earth for us to eat.....but He didn't....He placed them in the Garden of Eden I guess for companionship and there was nothing said about shedding their blood until man sinned....

So perhaps He put souls in them then and we corrupted the whole process but us sinning...

There is no easy answer to this question but I would love to think my sweet animals have a wonderful after life...

[CarolAnn]

Suzy -
I had a sweet, smart dog named Maggie that I got when she was only a couple of weeks old - (her mom got hit by a car) and I kept her alive by feeding her with a medicine dropper until she was old enough to lap. She was like my kid.

When I had to leave the country, I couldn't take her with me, but I did find a home for her. Years later, I was sick and alone in my city apartment. It was well past her possible life span - and it might have been a fever-induced halucination, but I was sure I felt her comforting presence curled up at my back. If a dog ever had a soul - Maggie did!

[flatwater]

If you believe that the bible is the infalible word of GOD then animals do not have a soul. One of the many things that seperate humans and animals. Although the more I'm around humans I sometimes like animals better
flatwater

[Doglover]

I am not being sarcastic, I really want to know. Where in the bible does it say that only humans have souls?

[flatwater]

It , [ the Bible } only teaches that Gods children ie: humans have souls. It does not teach that animals have souls. It's one of the divisions that seperate us. Ones soul will spend eternity in one of two places. Animals are not mentioned in either place although if one of Gods other creatures were mentioned as going to hell I hope it is at least the common tic. Please don't get me wrong, I love my animals and I think our treatment of our animals is a barometer of our character.
flatwater

[Doglover]

Someone showed me these lines in the Bible that would suggest animals go to heaven...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LUKE 3:6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'"

ECCLESIASTES 3:18 I said in my heart, "Concerning the condition of the sons of men, God tests them, that they may see that they themselves are like animals”.

ECCLESIASTES 3:19-20 Man's fate is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath, man has no advantage over the animal. Everything is meaningless. All go to the same place; all come from dust and to dust all return.

PSALM 36:6 Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your judgments are like the great deep; you save humans and animals alike.

GENESIS 1:30 and to every animal of the earth, and to every fowl of the heavens, and to everything that creepeth on the earth, in which is a living soul, every green herb for food. And it was so.

I found them very interesting

[flatwater]

A couple of points to think about.
#1 all except Luke 3:6 are old testament before Christ.
#2 Always look at the total context of the book and chapter.
#3 in luke 3:6 the word flesh is refering to mankind.
Flatwater

[flatwater]

Oops I left to early
Ecc 3:18 who are the sons of men?
Psalm 36:6, save and salvation are different terms with dfferent meanings.
Ecc 3:19-20, It just means we and the animals will physicly die.
Gen. 1:30 do you see the seperations there?

[Doglover]

I read the surrounding text around what I posted and I didn't see anything that contradicts the idea that animals will go to heaven or have souls.

Why is Old Testament not valid for this purpose? Isn't the New Testament an add on? Is there anything in the New Testament that says animals don't have souls or won't go to heaven?

[flatwater]

In answer to your question, the new Testament is not just an add on. Most everything in the old testament points to the coming of the Christ and Jesus has fullfilled most of the prophisies off the old Testament. As Jesus said" I have not come to abolish the law but to fullfill it" and I can't find any proof in the Bible that animals have souls and that they will be saved as in salvation. I do agree that it does not specificly say they would'nt but I can find a whole lot more evidense that indicates only Gods Children who have excepted Christ as a personal savior will make it to heaven. But on the bright side God can do anything he pleases, so maybe just to bless us he will add some animals. So with that said put in your order now before it's to late. Now do you want them all or just the pleasent ones?
Flatwater

[Doglover]

But on the bright side God can do anything he pleases, so maybe just to bless us he will add some animals. So with that said put in your order now before it's to late. Now do you want them all or just the pleasent ones?
Flatwater
That is a nice thought! Yes I would like them all, I think that in heaven all God's creatures would be pleasant.

[Star1pup]

I think all living things are created by God and that they all have a spirit, or soul.

Will Rogers once said, "If there are no dogs in Heaven, then I want to go where they went".

I feel the same way. Take me to be with Trix, Reb, Shadow and Star. They were the best friends I ever had.

Star was just 5 when we had to stop the pain her cancer gave her just last July. I sure miss her! :(

[sage_morgan]

OK, Bible aside (no offense), If I were to judge humankind vs animalkind on the basis of the good and evil they do, animalkind would win, period.

Animals just don't lie/cheat/steal too much, even tho the smarter ones will try to fake you out. And if I can't out-figure an animal (sooner or later), then boo to me. (Having issues with an old lady Aussie Shepherd just now.)

Soul? Yes. My dog has more soul in her tailbone than the butthead who stole the chainsaw I loaned him.

[culver]

i sure hope so it wouldn t be heaven without my hounds

[odie]

As a Christian, I believe that we cannot go beyond what the Bible says. Where the Bible is silent, we are left with a mystery. We can speculate, as long as we are clear about what we are doing, and as long as we don't contradict Scripture. My speculation is that, while I believe that the Bible leads us to understand that animals don't have souls, there may well be animals in heaven. After all, sitting on the back porch with your dog curled up at your feet feels pretty heavenly, doesn't it?

[flatwater]

My new dog has soles on her feet , nice thick ones too. And if we both make it to heaven at the same time I hope she looses her ability to pass gas.
flatwater

[DV8]

I think every living thing must have a soul. they have every other emotion we have (dont do it but if you burn a cow would it cry out?) ... when I had my wreck, my Dog cried. when she saw me in pain she laid with me & wouldnt eat untill I did. to me that's having a soul.

I say we treat them all as if they do, & if in the end we're wrong, then oh well, but if we were right, how blessed will we be, having treated everything as we wish to be treated.

my 2 Cents
~DV8

[jim]

Any good thing that is required to make you happy, will be in Heaven.
jim

[Rancher]

I believe that who and what has a soul is a matter of personal faith. Over the years I have owned and cared for over 100 good ranch horses and 12 fine ranch dogs. All were ranch working animals but were also my best friends. Many times my horse and dog kept me out of trouble. And, always, they made my live easier and more enjoyable. As a matter of faith I would hope that in heaven some, or all of my good animal friends will be there. It can't be the happiest place without them.

[HumaneSocietySteve]

Hello All, Great thread...just my cup of tea.

As mentioned earlier I also believe that before the fall of man in Eden that killing for food for man and beast was non existent. When Adam and Eve sinned they killed an animal and used the skin to cover themselves because they became aware of their nakedness which is symbolic of the covering of God. *Also this set the stage for the shedding of innocent blood for the covering of sin.

Testament is also translated as covenant. In my mind when I see testament my brain interchanges the word covenant. Everything in the old covenant is in full effect unless specifically addressed in the new covenant. Whole religions and denominations have been created around these topics and I have no intention of creating yet another.

As far as animals go I tend to believe that they do go to be with God when they die. I believe this because I believe all that God loves will live with him forever. No I'm not forgetting Sin and Salvation. I think animals get a free pass. In other words they are like children before the age of accountability. They are close to the heart of God.

God is a three part being. Body, Soul and Spirit. Moses, I think, looked on the hinder parts of God so he does have a body. Man is created in the image of God so we are a three part being also. I believe the Soul is the intellect or mind. This is the battle ground and the part of man that needs to be renewed to God's will. Paul said "The things I want to do I don't and the things I don't want to do I do. This is the process of renewing your mind to the things of God. We do have hope though because later in life Paul said " I have learned in all things to be CONTENT. He won the battle...at least to some extent.

So for these reasons I don't believe animals have a soul in the sense that they need to be renewed from sin to salvation. But I wholeheartedly believe they have a Spirit. Salvation is where the Spirit of man is brought alive by the power of God's Holy Spirit. I don't believe animals need to go through this process to be with God after this life. Like I said they get a free pass.

I am certain that God loves animals because it is in man to love animals and we are created in his image. Love is all inclusive. After all He knows when the smallest sparrow falls.

Faith is believing even when not knowing all the answers. One thing I have learned in a life of following God is that the more we think we learn the less we really know. It is humbling to say the least. Knowledge is not the goal of a Christian. Love is. Love God with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself. That second part is the hard part and I believe why we are put on this earth.

To finish up. I can't imagine Heaven without animals. I pray for my pets when they are sick and I ask God's blessings to be upon them daily. They have taught me more about Faith and Love than any church or pastor. Scripture says to "Preach the gospel to all creatures". They are part of his creation just like we are. I for one believe they will be in Heaven to share and love with forever.

Ponder this...There is at least one critter already in Heaven. What will Christ be riding as her returns for his bride?

Keep the Faith

[flatwater]

Christ isn't a her but I see that was just typo , You see I read every word.
Flatwater

[gardenfay]

As a Christian, I believe that we cannot go beyond what the Bible says. *Where the Bible is silent, we are left with a mystery. *We can speculate, as long as we are clear about what we are doing, and as long as we don't contradict Scripture. *My speculation is that, while I believe that the Bible leads us to understand that animals don't have souls, there may well be animals in heaven. *After all, sitting on the back porch with your dog curled up at your feet feels pretty heavenly, doesn't it?

Odie
as far as i'm concerned, you hit the nail on the head!

[gardenfay]

Steve;
i agree with much of what you said; but have to point out a few things.
first and foremost is that Adam and Eve just sewed fig leaves together.
God killed the first animal - first animal killed that is recorded in the Bible anyhow.
look at Genesis 3:7b . . . "and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings."
and at Genesis 3:21 "And the LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them."

Second; the first place it talks about people eating animals is after the great flood. look at Genesis 9:3 "Every moving thing that is alive shall be food for you; I give all to you, as I gave the green plant."

Third is Mark 16: 15b "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation."
that is the closest i can come to your statement of preaching to creatures. if you think of its location; please let me know.

[PK.]

I don't know whether or not animals have souls.

But, I don't see how it could be heaven without Brittany Spaniels, largemouth bass and whitetail deer.

[gardenfay]

Oh, the Bible clearly states that there are animals in heaven and i believe it is clear that there will also be animals on the new earth; but that doesn't mean that they have souls.

[gardenfay]

PK
in response to your largemouth bass comment; i just have to tell you.
my Dad used to joke that he thought the better a person you were during this life; the better bass ponds you get to fish in heaven!

[PK.]

Your Dad was a brilliant man.

[Catalpa]

I know when I look at my dog my first thought is always what a sweet and gentle soul I see looking back.

Is the Bible clear that animals don't have souls? I don't think so...but then the question of whether animals have souls is not central to our salvation, and like so many other topics we'd love to have answers for, it is not clearly defined.

Like some others have said, I know that God is in control, and He said He knows when a sparrow falls. That is a comfort and makes me feel that my sweet doggie will be curled up at my feet when I am in my Father's mansion.

[MooseToo]

in response to the topic question - of course not - they are animals -