The Ultimate Vampire Resource and Directory

In a previous thread, I stated I have an affinity for animals, and in another I think someone mentioned this topic as well. I love all animals with all my heart. I have two cats and a big white bunny who are not my pets, but my children.

I was raised around animals and have never gone without one until I entered college for a couple years. I nearly went crazy and became hollow and solemn inside. I have not gone without an animal in my presence since.

In most cases I feel as though I understand what an animal is saying, not by the noises it makes, but by the way its spirit reacts to mine. I even watch Animal Planet swearing I'm feeling the same pains of those abused on Animal Cops episodes, and the joys of life lovers on wildlife documentaries that only tell you facts about them. They communicate and interact with their own kind and all I want to say is "I understand you."

I am a Native American Choctaw Indian and I have learned most tribes' sacred animal is the wolf. They learn from the wolves how to hunt and care for their families. Many of them have carved statuettes of figures they call the wolf spirit. There is also a legend of the White Wolf Spirit. When you are lost, follow the White Wolf to find your place. The wolf is said to then disappear. Perhaps these people have believed this animal has a soul?

I personally do believe animals have souls of there own. After all, we are a species of animal called humans and/or vampires and we are sure we have souls. I do not understand why, but I have heard this was a topic argued about before not on here but else where throughout my life. What do you think? Do you believe animals truly have souls?

It was me Never,who talked about animals and souls in the other thread.

One thing I would like to say,as someone who has trained and worked with animals all of their life, is that there is most deffinately a connection there, but it isnt quite what you think.
Animals speak languages of their own and they do not think in human terms.
People constantly call me a horse whisperer and animal whisperer,and in their eyes,that may be..but it isnt that there is some kind of magic going on.Some people are instinctive about it in that they automatically know when to look an animal in the eye or not,or put their bodies in a certain position or not and make certain movements that might or might not be a challenge.Animals communicate with gestures and sounds that sometime we cant hear.They feel and smell things that are out of our range also.Some people,like myself,and possibly you,are just naturally inclined and can read these gestures and expressions and sounds easily.
So really,its a combination of things that allow us to communicate with them and that allows us to be empathetic with them..
But this is a big subject and a small thread so I will leave it at that for now on that aspect.
As for an animals soul? I cant say,but I would like to believe they have souls .

I believe that they do. They feel, they love, they fear and a variety of other things. Who are we to say we are the only ones with souls?

I definitely think that animals do have souls, but Oceann is right, I believe some people are more observant and instinctive around animals, and they react to that.

Empathetic people probably have an easier time putting themselves in an animals shoes and being able to 'read' the animal.

Might explain why house pets tend to cling to one certain family member over others.

Oceanne, well said. You and I are cut from the same cloth in that way in associating with animals.

I too would like to believe in higher life forms having something if a conscious inner being. Just because most do not speak the same language does not make them "soulless".

Souls no....Spirits Yes...there's a difference...Humankind has both for a reason...and animals have only one, a spirit...for a reason.

people would like to argue the point because of their love for animals. But the soul is a special entity and goes back to a place where it originated from.

You'd have to understand the genesis of life and the purpose for all things.

Would you mind elaborating on that spirit versus soul Davy? I would have to say ,at this point this would make sense.

Of course they do, they live, breath, feel, etc, just like we do

Yes,they do Lost,but are they aware of their own mortality?

I think, not of their own mortality however I know rabbits/foxes, have been observed when chased by hounds and know they know they cannot outrun the dogs will actually turn to face them.

They must have some sort of 'awareness" I use that term loosely, of their being???

Oceanne

The Hebrew word used for soul is “Nepesh,” and the Aramaic is "Nafs". The KJV alone uses over 28 different English terms for this one word. The problem with the English term “soul” is that no actual equivalent of the term or the idea behind it is "represented" in the Hebrew or Aramaic language.

The problem with translating the meanings into a word comparable to an understanding of soul and spirit from the languages of the bible into English confounds the query of do animals have a soul. Because the soul was a piece of the creation of man given by the Elohim. It's what separates man from the animals.

YES they have a spirit which people...regardless of their education in Theology...and I've bumped heads with the best...just “seem” to refuse to understand the language differences in accordance with the original meaning. Mainly due to the fact that they can not explain it to their congregation if asked about animals because it would lead down another avenue and then another avenue and then another giving rise to questions that they can not...will not answer truthfully because the truth can disrupt the flow of things in organized religion.

Spirit and Soul; they are rhetorical contrasts of ideas by means of parallel arrangements of words. One is the breath of life, the other the housing by which the other is secured…but not kept as a safe would keep a precious stone.

Do animals have feelings and emotions….YES without a doubt. We can see that within both domestic and wild animals. But we have to be careful not to equate theirs with those of humans…even if they LOOK the same.

Humans have WILL, the ability to choose…especially right from wrong…animals react according to their nature which is not will. Man’s nature is not the same as that of an animal, even if man IS an animal, a mammal.

Animals can learn to trust…especially if they are hungry…but it is a wary trust and not one that is solidified in stone. The first time a human acts in an opposite way, no matter how small of a change, the animal(s) have to begin all over again the process of wary trust. I’m speaking of all animals regardless of their environment domestic or otherwise.

If one wishes to believe that an animal has a soul…then the animal has a soul…just ignore what I’ve written here…it doesn’t really matter either way. What ever floats your boat and makes you feel close to nature and brings you in tune with the natural flow of the Great Spirit.

It’s like asking…what is sin? The most specific answer to be given is: What ever disturbs the peace of your heart, for you THAT is a sin.
So what ever enlivens you heart and brings joy to our existence THAT is the SOUL of LIFE.

Thank you very much Davy.Your post is very informative, makes a great deal of sense and will benefit some...myself included..I appreciate you taking the time.
One thing I would like to touch on again,as you also pointed it out in your post,and that is how many make the mistake of believing animals think as humans.They dont.I have seen many,many an accident and injury...even death because of this belief.
I will give one of many examples.

There was this stallion and he was mean as hell.Many had tried to work woth him,and always got hurt or chased out of the stall.I never had any problems with him,but I never let my guard down even for a second .
One day,a dude came in and thought he was going to strong arm the horse into behaving himself.The dude started strapping him across the chest.The horse came at him and picking him up in his mouth,shook him like a ragdoll and pitched him into the corner where the horse proceeded to strike and bite,destroyign the guys leg tendons.

If he had only known that in horse language, smacking a stallion on the chest is like issuing a serious challenge,he would have never have done it.
If he would have smacked the horse on his butt however,where his momma used to bite him for punishment,he wouldnt have ever had a lick or trouble from the horse.

But anyway,its not realizing things like that ,that can be deadly.

Singing,what you have described ...the Foxes and such turning to face the hoard.This is whats known as the flight or fight response and it is a natural instinct.I dont think it has anything to do with having an idea of their mortality.

Forever..yes we are,and you know exactly what Im talking about.I know you have seen examples of people believing a horse,or other animal is thinking in human terms and have reaped terrible results because of it.

Yes they do. If they do not then I mind as well be as empty as them. Living with them over my whole life left an indent or sence of these animals it if hard to describe it but yes they do

Why would you feel as though you would be empty too Sammantha if they have a spirit as opposed to a soul?

To be perfectly honest I don't really know.

I've always had an understanding for them and them me. To say they dont have a soul is like contradicting every nerve and impulse I feel or have ever felt around them. They come to me and I end up going to them like a invisible string. It's just something that is hard to explain. A sort of relationship so to say

I was prepared to say of course they have a soul, however, after reading Davys' post on soul vs spirit. I am not sure.

Can one only have a soul if they act according to will instead of their nature? If so, how do you know that animals do not have free will? Perhaps they just make better choices than we do. Also, why would an animal have to be aware of its own mortality (children aren't - does that mean they don't have a soul until they become aware)?

What I do know is this....animals generally act better then humans and I have to disagree a bit about animals learning to trust humans after a human harms or frightens them. Dogs sometime are beaten by their owners and go right back up to tem and lick their hand!

My dog lives in the moment with no regard for time, no need to rush around to do things and seemingly with no regard for his mortality. He is happier than any person I know and I believe because of this - animals are purer of soul than we are. Also - if I am half the person my dog seems to think I am - I have no fear of where I am going after this life. lol

It is easy being a cat or dog for they have no real power.
Give an advanced animal power and see how it is corrupted.

This is the Test.

Did we fail the test?

The jury is out.

Demona,I might be able to help you understand a little about an animal being beaten,then coming back to lick the hand who did it.

Especially with dogs,everything in their social world revolves around Dominance and submission.
Many times you will see an Alpha dog tear into one who is down the pecking order.sometimes pretty visciously.So it is not unusual for a dog that has been beaten,to continue to show loyalty to the person who beat it.
As for your response Sammantha..there are many of us who communicate with animals,but again,remember that they do not think in human terms and it doesnt mean that they would have a soul simply because we want them to.
Dont get me wrong,no one knows for sure,but Im just saying,be careful about making that mistake of thinking they think like we do.

There are a lot of behaviours that they exibit that can easily be missinterpreted..and it can be costly.

In my opinion, if they don't have souls, they should. I think that in many cases, animals are more deserving of souls and an afterlife than many humans. My two cents anyway...

I would like to think they do if you treat them right domestic animals they will be loyal back. like my cat Louis De Pointe Du Lac I call him he comes running up sleeps on my bed tell morning Enzo Auggie and Shelby I love them as well.

Just to clarify, in your second post, Davy, do you mean that we basically created our own souls?

Nooooooo....Man does not have the ability to create anything especially a soul or for that matter not even a spirit. Man would first need to create the chaos then expound on its components in order to even think of beginning a creation. No man can only utilize whats already there in order to "make" another thing but create...no...and that is not a play on words it's reality.

No....my friend the breath of life was breathed into man and man became a living soul.....as for animals they were created not liken unto the creator. Their fashioning was different...in respect...their fashioning made in conjunction with the living Earth...so in essence you could say that animals have the soul of the earth or the spirit of the earth...it's a hard definition to explain without getting into the whole genetic thing.

If the earth is alive...which it is...then it gives forth its essence...but remember one thing...where did that cute little bunny come from?
According to "scientists" earth experienced an extinction event (X) amount of millions of years ago...If that is the case where do we get modern day animals...where does the Noah story fit in.....

If the earth was given the command to bring forth every living creature then every living creature has the soul of the earth...but not of the creator. WE HUMANS have an affinity towards animals...NOT the other way around. Try to understand what I just said there.

But even in using the Genesis passage, I think its Genesis 1:24, the next passage totally confounds any religious theory given the assumption of the creator NOT having a hand in the creation of animals(1:25) BUT it is important to note that there was no breath of Life breathed into the animals...therefore the genetic codes were in place for a creation which would harbor upon the Earth FOR man.

So if we say that animals DO have a soul...then it is the soul of the earth...and the are all spirits of the earth...try to understand that if you can. BUT it is not the same breath of life that makes man the unique among creation.

So, do you believe we had souls back in the caveman days when we had to survive mostly on instincts like the animals?

"So, do you believe we had souls back in the caveman days when we had to survive mostly on instincts like the animals?"

Noooooo....firstly those beings or "cave men" were not us...they were..as has been eluded to by some scientists who are slowly inching their way into ancient texts for answers since they seem to have fallen short of them...genetically altered beings.

Earth was at one point inhabited by beings that evolved from "seeded" forms...even the biblical references state this as well as the ancient Sumerian texts...and FYI...the story of the flood appeared in the ancient texts thousands of years before the story in the bible.

The original "cave man" was an evolved being from a genetic "soup" that's how scientists put it "soup" for lack of a better word or just avoiding the consequence of stating what it was because they'll lose their grants. It was an earth being with the soul if you will or spirit of the earth, it was in tune with its "mother."

Many problems arise from the very people who should be telling the truth but instead..if they wish for their grants to continue...have to follow a status quo on the "theory" of evolution and creation.

All sentient beings have souls but not all of them are on the same life path.

i believe that they have souls otherwise they wouldnt be able to experience emotions and the bonds they form between their owners. Not to mention everything on this planet is in some way shape or form connected so if humans have souls, it would only make sense that animals do as well.

I mean, where did people get the idea they didn't have souls?

XOXO

"Do animals have souls?"

well.

We're animals... veritable meatbags, so 'yes, animals do have souls...'

ive seen two ghost cats so i suppose they must do but not the same as a human soul

Man’s concepts of spiritual values,the recognition of morals and his acknowledgement that he is responsible for his own behavior , sets him completely apart from animals. And if the word “soul” is used to refer to an immortal soul that one day will inhabit heaven or hell due to how he conducts himself? Then no, Im not so sure that animals would have souls,but as Davy suggested,spirits.

Im still on the fence on this one.

Unless the soul itself is myth, a theory that should not be easily dismissed. However if we were to assume that souls exists and that humans do have souls, the current belief is that humans are a member of the animal kingdom thus wouldn't the rest of the animal kingdom be privy to the soul as well?

i believe they do have a soul.like on my profile says i believe that they do have a soul and they are waiting for us at the crossing gates...i belive that all my little animal buddies that die b4 me are waiting and they cant cross over till im at the gate with them.i have been raised with animals sicne i was born so i do belive they have souls

why wouldn't they have souls? we have souls... or so they say.

ANYTHING WHICH LIVES AND BREATHES WOULD HAVE A SOUL. IF YOU HAVE ONE, ANIMALS WOULD ALSO. PLANTS ARE ANYONES GUESS. THE AIRT OF PSYCHOMETRY INVOLVES THE ABILITY TO READ AN 'ITEMS' ENERGIES. IT IS BELIEVED ANYTHING WHICH HAS ENERGY MUST ALSO HAVE A SOUL, INAMINATE OBJECTS INCLUDED. LOOK MORE INTO THE TOPIC OF ANIMISM. YOU MAY FIND YOUR ANSWERS IN THESE TWO CATEGORIES.

I heard it once expressed in a similar discussion that someone believed that some animals had souls while others didn't..and that some human beings had souls while others didn't.

(Which intrigued me greatly, I only wish they had been allowed to elaborate further before the rest of those discussing had brushed them off and ostracized them from the conversation. I never did gain an opportunity to inquire sadly.)

The soul is cognizant consciousness and the awareness of self..but it as well as the spiritual nature comes in many forms dependent upon the philosophical or theological stroke you lean on. I have to say though, I would agree well with Davy on his contributions in this thread.

As I would put it however, I believe we, animals, plants, rocks, the whole of all life, here and elsewhere resonates with an eternal energy that is symbiotic one with another. This being said, it is not an unnatural observance that animals and people have a sense of silent communication through gesture and communication on all different levels.

This spiritual energy that we all share is layered, however, it is the combination of the spirit and the "soul" that is often debated in ancient and modern philosophies. I believe animals have a spirit as we do...but in having a soul that defines them as creatures of choice and will?...no I do not.

Interesting question and at the same time intriguing. Soul, for some is just the brain sending tough thru the nerve system. For others, Soul is the inner spirit that exist within all things in the Universe, which included Animals as well. But, there is, absolutely no proof that the soul exist and those w claim the contrary, always come with some explanation with no fact. So, my believe: there is no soul, just pure energy within all matters things in the Universe.

We're animals, we acknowledge our energies existing, we realize we exist by questioning it. Animals ARE in fact aware of their own mortality because if you were to say, look at elephants and watched them linger over their dead, and see them mourn, i think that goes without question. We may be human but that doesn't make the animal any less distinctive in having such connections with the greatness of what the universe has created. Life gives Life and what is death but life beyond it? Some people may even be aware of BEING an animal in a past life. This is a no brainer to me.

I believe that they do. Now one might ask if they have souls shouldn't it be wrong to kill them. I personaly hunt many types of animals for food. But in doing so I only hunt what I need and will eat. And each time I take a life I say a thank you to the spirit of said animal.

So as you were in life so may you be in death, so as you were in life may it be that in death you path continues through me.

I feel that this is natural as the bear eating fish. Or the wolf hunting deer.

Wow...But, if Animals have soul, Where this "soul" reside? In the heart, the brain, or any other part of the body? Ohhh, some mentioned that Plants have soul, sorry, I don't agree, plants are just plants and Animal are just Mutant bacteria created during the evolution of this planet. Now, really that is deep statement, and sorry if I insulted any PETA member.

The soul itself doesn't need to reside in any part of the body. The soul itself is simply your energies being used along with your physical body, much like you will still exist WITHOUT these parts of the body in it's death.

I have never believed in animals having souls. id that's the case then I'm committing a real offense by eating meat. And, I've no qualms whatsoever about eating what I desire.

Who says it's a crime to eat to survive, soul or not soul?

In certain faiths, it's considered an offense to eat any living creature. But if that's the case then eating veggies, which are living things as an offense as well.

i love animals so much. especially dogs. they are like my friend and family. i treat them with respect and they treat me with respect too. when they die i always say their soul will be with their god.

I am an animal lover and have always had one or more my whole life. I have an affinity to them just like many other people here. However I have to agree completely with Davy here, I couldn't have said it better myself. I'm an energy reader and I can tell you that the energy readout between humans and animals is exceptionally different. A completely different feel and if we're just animals like them, then there shouldn't be.

I have to agree that animals are spirit of the earth, not souls of creation. There is a definite distinction there.

~Darken

Animals are unique creatures, but to have innate spirituality or a soul inhbitator I have to disagree there.

Not only because I communicate with them but because of actions exhibited I will say that yes they do have souls.
Earlier it was mentioned that they had to be aware of there mortality, I can honestly say that they are. When we " speak " about life they morn and understand that they will die and can accept that. So yes they do have souls other wise you'd have no way of explaining bonds between themselves and us.

Animals do not have souls. Easy to prove , do they ever do anything wrong like humans? Kill ,steal,show greed like mankind-never . So I say no soul but a beautiful life force with inthem .

we are naught but, upright walking talking animals...

...and, we believe we have souls.

So why not the four-legged ones?

Makes sense, doesn't it...

You have just stated the difference between us. We are talking, thinking, acting for ourselves people. Animals are instinct and go with whatever their instincts tell them, and we have the free will to go against what our gut tells us. We have choice. They do not.

Animals are wonderful creatures, I love them, don't misunderstand me and think that I don't. Spirits yes, but souls? No.

~Darken

Well I believe animals have a soul, and everything that reflects an aura has a soul.

That's not true. I've seen the aura's of plants; does that mean they have a soul? I've seen the aura's of rocks, crystals; does that mean they have an soul? An aura is simply an energy field being emitted. And what I said before is the aura given off by a human is distinctively different then that of an animal. Ours marks an awareness of our free will, our ability to choose. Animals show what their instincts are leading them to feel. Subtle, but a pretty big difference.

~Darken

On the subject of auras...if I may...auras or hala, are the way we are recognized by higher forms of existence. We see each other in a physical form, a form that is necessary for our continued existence here on this planet, we can be trained or gifted to see that aura which enshrouds each living thing, an energy field that changes colors as we change our emotional state. It is the color of our aura which animals see and it is such that warns them of our intent...positive or negative as it may be at that time. It is the "smell" that has been spoken about that animals can sense as either fear on anger or emotional content of any degree.

I believe that every single living thing has the potential for a soul. Even plantlife.

We are all animals that by instinct or choice survive by consuming all that is around us. A soul is a man made creation for control of the weak minded.

I believe that animals were once humans, at least some of them. Others, they come to learn how to be human I suppose. So in that respect I would have to say yes they do have souls. I believe all things possess a spirit, even the earth it's self.

Spirit yes, soul no. As Davy eloquently pointed our in previous posts, there is a difference. I believe all animals, trees, plants, the earth, the rock... all have spirits of the earth. But a soul is given by the Creator and only humans have that.

~Darken

I believe animals do have souls,they are living creatures

i believe so. if you take a lion, for instance, straight from the wild and cage it.... over time it begins to break down, its eyes start to glaze over ultimately taming the beast... so i would think so

Indeed Psy and good point.I would like to touch on that if I may..and I want to address instinct and say that while a good example,it really isnt not fair to use it in this context because any animal that is cadged,especially a wild one,because from the instant they are caged,they are fighting their own instincts... across the board.So naturally, they are under severe stress and will begin to show signs of it in the ways you have described.

Every living being has a soul. Humans have a tendency to want to be above all even above one another, hence from here comes wars, murder, thievery, and other such things. This is why humans like to believe and claim that animals do not have souls. One of my favorite books to read is the bible, it speaks of the human dilemma and it speaks of the soul of animals. I also like you have native American heritage but I am not a pure blood. I also have a connection with animals since I was a young child. If animals were just automatons driven by pure instinct how is it that humans can befriend them.

Many of these responses have led me to wonder...

Would having a spirit as opposed to a soul be THAT bad of a thing?It seems like many feel it would be in a sense in that it somehow makes animals less important.

I don't think it's a bad thing at all. For me, anything that comes from the Spirit of the Earth is to be respected, as the Earth should be. Animals, plants, the ground, the water, should all be respected and if more people did and concentrated on having a balance I doubt the world would be in as much trouble as it currently is. I may believe animals have spirits, and not souls, but that doesn't make me love them, or respect them, any less.

~Darken

all living matter has souls the animals
or anything that is good has a blue
soul which is morphed as a kinshin egg
while evil ones have red souls
somehow witches have a purple soul

I believe all living things has a soul
human flora fauna

Look into a cats or dogs eyes. The eyes are the mirror of the soul. So I guess that about sums that up! Of course they do, they love, they feel, they are born the same way we are.

Its hard to say.. a soul isnt an organ and is sometimes conisdered to be a religous idea.. obviously a dog for examle doesnt follow a religion. But alot of people have made very interesting points so im going to have to sit on the fence for this topic

RaniDrac

TO ME YES, ANIMALS HAVE SOULS AND SPIRITS TO, BUT WHEN THE ANIMAL PASSES ON THEIR SOUL DIES WITH THEM. BUT THEIR SPIRIT SOARS INTO THE SKY AND HEAVEN AND STAYS AROUND WATCHING OVER THE EARTH AND THOSE THAT ARE LEFT BEHIND

I just don't believe animals have souls. It's my opinion and I have always thought that. I have no basis behind my belief. I just think humans are better than animals.

yes but animals have a different kind of soul than a human one.humasn being unique in creation.

I think they do, at least I hope they do. Maybe we are reincarnated into animals and therefore each animal is a past human.

Some religions and cultures believe that.

i believe anything that shows emotion has a soul. so yeah animals do have souls, as well as individual personalities.

I believe all living things have a soul

I believe all things have souls, that those souls are us, in different stages of learning and development.

I'm still on the yes with this one because they are not mindless like plants

So having a mind means they would have a soul?

Unless the soul itself is a concept that was created, unfortunately its not an organ that we can use an x- ray and see its purely speculation and opinion as to what has souls and what doesn't.

If we do then they do... they have different emotions and personalities just like us.

Hmm,you say that with much conviction RussianBeauty,as if it were fact.Do you believe that anything with emotion bears a soul?

i feel that yes animals have souls, they also have feeling they can get scared, and they know when something bad is going to happen. It is also said they can sense wandering souls.

That is one dumb question. Of course animals have souls. Humans are so selfish and inconsiderate of other beings. Well to me every creature is equal big and small. God created us all. Look into a deer's eyes and tell me you can not see their heart bleeding through their eyes.

Animals have souls. They are also created n a staus lower than that of humans. Spirt and Soul should be differentiated.

Soul:
A part that seats his will, mind and emotions.

In the Bible:
In Job 12:10, this seems to be so: "In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind."

There are 3 aspects to a living thing:
1. Soul
2. Spirit
3. Body

The Soul houses the Spirit. Some may say that the Soul is in the brain. But that is not accurate. It is the brain that houses the Spirit. The SPirit being the intellectual side of a living thing.

All animals may have a Spirit. That is why we humans are capable of training an animal. Also, some actions of some animals, like the wolf, resemble that of a human's. The care of the pack, for example. Usually the alpha male is the one who does the bringing the food back to the pack. They are loyal and possessive. Qualities that a human has learnt from. We humans are nothing without all the creations around us. The human can evolve spiritually and bodily (when a human takes care of his body-exercising etc). This will in turn affect the evolution of the Soul.

Also, if one looks at past lives, or the theory of reincarnation, it would be easy to say that a Soul is reborn over and over for that person to grow. There is inherent knowledge and knowledge acquired through the various stages of life. Animals can be reborn as a human, and vice versa.

So, to ask if Animals have souls, my answer would be yes, they do have souls. Animals may not have a will. They do not react the same way or have the same options as humans do. They rely on their animal spirit to survive.

Lordess,would you consider the survival instinct a product of the spirit then?

@Oceanne

I believe the survival instincts found in all living things are products of the Soul. The Spirit has more of an intellectual meaning to it.

Instinct is defined as such:
"Instinct gives rise to our capacity to feel, to imagine, to create, to sense what is right or wrong, to relate to and respond to others, to recognise and appreciate beauty. Instinct manages and coordinates the organism of the body and the balance of the heart-brain axis that maintains the homeo-stasis of the whole system. It may be that the consciousness of the universe itself has given birth to instinct in all these different manifestations, which drives the planetary evolutionary process and, ultimately, awakens us to awareness of our cosmic goal."


It is the Soul that works with free will. The survival instinct is something that is energetic but an automatic unintelligent part of humans/animals. It doesn't take much thought to run when you are bring pursued.

Thanks for answering but honestly?that isnt the deffinition of instinct that I know.
To me,instinct is a natural or inherent aptitude,impulse or capacity for actions mediated by reactions below the conscious level and responses to stimuli without involving reason.
How does this give rise to our appreciation of beauty?

im alot like you nevernevermore, i love animals, can practically understand what animals are saying and i loooove wolves, they are very mystical creatures
i believe animals reincarnate :)

of course they have souls the feel and emotions just like we do may not be in the same way or sens but they still feel and having a working brain and connections that keep them living I would say almost everything has a soul....

Ah, you know you have asked a good question when it raises so many questions!

As human beings we have soul, spirit, heart, conscience and mind. It is our mind that learns of sin, and our conscience that helps us differentiate between right and wrong. It is our conscious choices that affect the destination of our "eternal soul" according to organized religion. It is our ability to have these abstract thoughts about choices that differentiate ourselves from animals.

So, yes, I believe animals have souls. A much larger discussion could be raised about conscious thoughts of animals and if they are held responsible in some spiritual way for their actions, or even their thoughts!

I strongly believe that all animals have souls.
I believe that anything living that breaths, has a pulse and a heart beat, has bodily functions, and can make noise has a soul.
So plants do not.

yes i belive all living things have souls if they did not have souls then they could not servive

everything has a soul. you see how if you yell at a dog, somtimes it whimpers and cowers, yes this could be fear but also they most likly know that they did a wrong thing.

All animals no matter how violent or caring have souls. Souls give them that ability to care for their own or fear another species. And its not just house pets all animals insects and pets have souls. It was allows dogs to be "mans best friend", and it gives them their sixth sense. I love all animals perferably the K9 family and i feel at peace sitting in a wolf pack. Its the same reason if you save an animals life they normally bind themselves to you in an attempt to repay you for saving them. They may even repay their dues but have gotten so close to you and visa versa that you two stay together anyway.

I believe animals have souls I have been around animals all my life, I have three cats and a dog plus fish i have a bird they listen and they aregood company

I would like to point out that man is, in fact, an animal. Just because we have higher brain function and are on top of the food chain doesn't mean we're not ANIMALS. People really need to get over that. Not only that but I really wish people would leave religion out of it when considering stuff like this. Use your brain and actually THINK about the answer and what YOU think rather what a BOOK tells you to think for once. Not knocking your religion. I hate to sound like I am, my apologies.
My point: Man is animal therefore animals have souls. To say that man is the ONLY animal to have a soul would be the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard.
Other animals may not think the way we do and, as others have pointed out, we should never forget that or try to treat them as we would other people but that's not the issue here. The question was whether or not they have souls not whether or not they're on the same level as the human species.
Food for thought.

I think we should first ask ourself do we humans have a soul and if so what is that tells us we have a soul is that we make choices baised on moralty like when a dolphin helps its wounded pack member to the surface to breath or is it fear that gives us a soul like when a deer takes off at the sound of a snapped twig as Kieataya has said man is animal we like to think that we are differnt but honestly ask yourself are we do we not run at our masters call, ever ignored what your boss said do we not house train our kids, really is there a big differance between a potty chair and a litter box, we are hunters preditors and prey i find nothing in the animal mind that does not fallow suit in ours we name it differntly and try to prove we are some greater being yet we are not a cat will bath its self too a monkey can use tools and dogs cry and wimper of the lose of a pack mate if there is such thing as a soul why would it not be found in animals for after all ive never heard of a mass genoside lead by a buffalo

I believe there do. As Tzaddi stated, they love us, fear us, show affection, etc. Animals are just as alive as we are. They feel the same emotions but can't express it in the same way.

I agree completely. They communicate in their own way with us. I dont know if they have a soul but I would like to think that they do and those souls move on when they are gone and they are happy once more.

This thread has been automatically closed for length.