Do animals have souls? - Stories that prove they have and share the same empathy we do (or should)

I love it when theologians take part in these debates. Theology is a "science" of twisting Bronze Age beliefs and making them look amazing -- very much what used-car salesman do with their merchandise.

Why would anyone want to get the opinion of a theologian for anything besides a church referral?

Thank you very much for taking the time to post this absolutely incredible information. I am deeply touched by the raw emotion exemplified in every scenario presented. I will go on the other sites you recommend and share it with my loved ones. You have made my weekend my friend, thank you.

Well, one thing that gets me is that most if not all crustaceans (Crabs, Lobsters, etc.) cannot go into shock when they are injured. Shock is the way the brain makes an organism stop feeling pain. This is why many cooks have to muffle the sounds of their cooking pots because of the "screaming" while the crustacean is boiled. Thus, the crustacean feels the pain until it dies. Someone tell me a good reason God gave them the ability to scream besides to express pain that is felt by them. This is one of the many reasons why I became a vegan, and this type of boiling-alive method is considered animal cruelty to at least one animal activist community.

Cats will act on instinct and attack and possibly kill any creature they regard as prey,they do NOT kill "just for fun".

reply to post by nake13


The cats mauled the rabbits ripped them up and left them dying slowly, I have seen plenty of cats doing the same to birds mice etc, they catch them play with them a bit sometimes leving them to die slowly sometimes finally killing them but NEVER eating them.

My childrens rabbits were in enclosures in MY garden someone elses cats came in MY garden and turned the place into a slaughter house.

As with any other vermin on my property such as rats mice roaches cats are as equally unwelcome, I am interested in the believers point of view as to whether each species of animal has their own heaven for their soul to go to.

Theology is a "science" of twisting Bronze Age beliefs and making them look amazing -- very much what used-car salesman do with their merchandise.

reply to post by seen2much

No , all animals . It is why I do not hunt or fish . I can not kill a deer or any other animal for sport or any other reason

reply to post by whenandwhere


So, your god gave this monster a soul ?

im back ATS!!! and it feels damn good!!

yes, animals have souls.

reply to post by gigaherc
Great thread. I don't think religion has anything to do with what you think about animals. I never have understood why certain people hurt animals other then the fact we are predators but even predators only hunt for food most of the time.
If I had to come up with a reason why people hurt and kill animals it would the idea that they are demented and somehow get pleasure from it like the theory that serial killers started off killing animals for pleasure. Hunters are something all together different, no problem with hunters, just wish more of them used cameras.
OH and on subject, do animals have souls?, if there is a god then yes, how can a living thing that give's unconditional love not have a soul?

I don't know if animals have a soul in the human sense, but I do believe that they have some sort of "spark". Also I believe that God sets aside a special place for animals when they die. My mama used to tell me that all dead animals cross the Rainbow Bridge into their own paradise. Maybe that's true, who knows.

reply to post by gigaherc


Nice thread, I don't think were even halfway capable of truly understanding animals. They are just like us they care for their family more than anything especially wolves. I watched this entire video last night and I loved every minute of it. If you are an animal person or like wolves this video is for you. This situation in this video is sorta like the lions on your OP the humans that shared relationship with these wolves left and never seen them again for over a year and thought when they would return to them they wouldn't accept them like they once did.

They was wrong also.

reply to post by gigaherc


Well in the beginning God created animals,man, earth ect. and I believe everything God created is special. It was the fall of man that brought sin and death, man was able to kill men as well as animals. It is said all will be restored as before so animals should be in heaven. I do believe they are not the same as humans, as well as angels are different than man.
But this difference has no more or less meaning when it comes to God's love for all he created, yes the creation of man is said to be the apple of God's eye, so animals are probably the oranges.

reply to post by ChristianJihad

Unfortunately,animals,cats included,would have no concept of it being "your " garden,all they would have seen would have been unattended potential prey,and although it may seem as cats rip other creatures to shreds for "fun" they have no idea of that concept and will simply kill because it is their instinct to do so,cats are forever honing their hunting skills therefore they will take every opportunity that presents itself to do exactly that.

It probably does seem like senseless killing to some,but as most cats are well fed domestic pets,they have little need to eat their kills,it is though, purely millenia of instinct kicking in.

I really am sorry to hear about your Rabbit though,I sincerely hope that your children did not witness their pet being killed.

Originally posted by SpearMint

Originally posted by trysts
reply to post by gigaherc

 

Let's see here...An atheist inquires about whether animals have souls? lol. Makes no sense to me.

But, animals do display empathetic behaviour all the time, if that was one of your points.

What does a soul necessarily have to do with a creator?

edit on 13-9-2012 by SpearMint because: (no reason given)

Soul has nothing to do with a creator just like a soul has nothing to do with religion. When people hear the word soul they automatically think your talking about God. LOL

when you look into a dogs eyes, or a horse or whathave you, its easy to tell

im going with yes............. mr pookey has a soul

reply to post by clutch36hp


Dudley, lol.
Inappropriate.
Assuming presumption.
Wow!, history, bloody one with justice for one.....and all?
PB P harassing, intimidating me today.
That was a 'personal' violation.
It was wrong.
Should/will be corrected?
Whodat? Understood.
Still, wrong answer!




Grrrr.

Originally posted by ibanezroxor
Well, one thing that gets me is that most if not all crustaceans (Crabs, Lobsters, etc.) cannot go into shock when they are injured. Shock is the way the brain makes an organism stop feeling pain. This is why many cooks have to muffle the sounds of their cooking pots because of the "screaming" while the crustacean is boiled. Thus, the crustacean feels the pain until it dies. Someone tell me a good reason God gave them the ability to scream besides to express pain that is felt by them. This is one of the many reasons why I became a vegan, and this type of boiling-alive method is considered animal cruelty to at least one animal activist community.

I totally agree that this is an unacceptably barbaric method of cooking any living thing,the "screaming" is actually the sound of the crustaceans shell rapidly contracting with the heat,but the poor creatures must still suffer during this process,I would never under any circumstances eat any type of crustacean as I find them to be remarkable creatures best enjoyed whilst they are alive.

I believe all vertebrates with a brain and spinal column which have the "pineal gland" (seat of the soul) have souls.

reply to post by gigaherc
( OP ) "Even though I am an atheist I was always thaught to respect others' views, beliefs and opinions. Thus I have no problem with any religion, studied many of them during my multicultural studies (which is probably the best way to understand and tolerate them ) - still standing by opinion that world would be a better place without them."


I find that analogy questionable.
You can go to school to make chocolate cookies, you can use ingredients from all locations of the world, make announcements and opinions upon how they appear and the quality of the ingredients, the quality of the chocolate or the flour etc..................... but............... if you have never eaten one, you just do not have a grasp on 'Why'. Same with religion, if you'v never felt God, you can in no way write of his atributes, without it being Fiction. And fiction by it's virtue is make believe.