Why don't animals have souls? (quote, faith, Christianity, God)

[eufo]

Ok, I've heard this before that animals do not have souls (according to Christianity anyway). But why is this?

Does sentience have anything to do with it?

Sometimes it feels like a dog really is man's best friend when they come lick your face after you've had a rough day. They do seem to react to moods and also it seems like they have the ability to "sense" bad people. Or am I reading too much into it?

[pladecalvo]

Originally Posted by eufo

Sometimes it feels like a dog really is man's best friend when they come lick your face after you've had a rough day

. It's when they lick your face after they've had a .......well you know, that you want to worry!

[MontanaGuy]

eufo wrote:

Why don't animals have souls?

For the same reason that people don't have them, they don't exist.

[june 7th]

Originally Posted by eufo

They do seem to react to moods and also it seems like they have the ability to "sense" bad people. Or am I reading too much into it?

-Not sure about the theology of the "soul" part, however, I do feel that animals possess emotions. Mine does.

[I LOVE NORTH CAROLINA]

Only people have souls, animals don't need them because they cannot ask Jesus to become their Savior. But this does not mean that our pets won't be in Heaven. No one really knows for sure about that.

[kawgpz550]

Here's what I find ironic when talking about a dog. If you reverse those letters, you have God! Have anyone else ever noticed that the love of a DOG is very much similar to the love of GOD?
They both love you unconditionally! Even if you have a bad day, your furry friend is right there licking you. Even if you kick him around and treat him badly when you're in a bad mood, he still comes back to you and still loves you. The same thing goes with God!

As for them having a soul...who am I to judge this? Heck, maybe we could learn something from them

[MontanaGuy]

kawg wrote:

Heck, maybe we could learn something from them

I think that's a good point. A dog is much more faithful than most humans.

[Padgett2]

I really don't know about souls. I have never heard a good explanation that describes one that suits everyone. I guess that we had better ask God if they have one, and if He says that they don't, maybe someone will ask Him why not.

He made them. It's not for me to say what He did or did not do to make them the wonderful, compassionate friends that they are.

[Dwatted Wabbit]

Some animals do have souls, IMO. Perhaps they all do.
Some people don't. Or it seems they don't.
Or they'll wish they didn't after they pass to the Beyond.

[MontanaGuy]

Dwatted Wabbit wrote:

Some animals do have souls, IMO. Perhaps they all do.

So is heaven going to be infested with rats? I'd be ok with dogs that don't bite and cats that don't scratch but you've got to draw the line somewhere!