I believe they have feelings and maybe they have soul but that does not mean that they go to heaven when they die. The obviously cannot understand the way man can and they cannot except Christ as their saviour.There is no "doggy heaven" but there will be animals in heaven.

Human are a selfish lot. Souls are for us only and screw the whole rest of the animal kingdom. My wife just informed me our cat has a soul. I stand corrected.

I own two dogs, and I can honestly tell you, I believe they have souls, more than I believe that there is a god in heaven! Animals have emotions, ranging from scared to happy. They have personalities, likes & dislikes. They like to compete...And will intentionally lose to keep you playing. I've seen angry, sad, protective, happy, contrary, emphathetic, & selfish emotions. Make no mistake about it, they feel things like you or I...they just interact with the world on another level of conciousness, & they will articulate it to those humans who respect them & also allow them their comfort. Like humans, some dogs can be bastards, some are agressive. Most will cut kids some slack...some wont, some will interact...some will ignore you, some will apreciate the things you do for them...others are just take, take, take! They're just like us...good or bad...right to their soul!

I took a detailed look at the Bible's "psychological terms" years ago: words like soul, spirit, mind, heart, and the like. The conclusion I reached over "soul" is that the word is a functional term, not a metaphysical term. I find 2 metaphysical parts to man: body and spirit -- not "soul." (.i.e., Hebrew nephesh = Greek psyche). The meanings which seem to fit all the contexts of nephesh and psyche are "life," "that which lives," "self," and "person." Thus since animals are living beings, it would seem proper to call them souls also. See Genesis 30:1 nephesh chayyah "soul of life" Take Genesis for example, God breathes into man's nostrils the breath of life and man becomes a nephesh (living person). The whole man is called a nephesh, not just his immaterial part. On the other hand, it seems to me that spirit = Hebrew: ruach = Greek pneuma is never used of animals in a metaphysical sense. But since the word ruach = pneuma can also mean "breath," ruach applies to animals in the sense of breath; that is, many animals have breath. With regard to animals, a question which I have in my mind is whether or not they are self-conscious or are they just a fancy program in a body that the Lord has made, which simulates to some extent the behavior of self-conscious persons. Thus, in short, my opinion is that the term soul applies to both men and animals, but in neither case does soul mean a metaphysical part of the being (like spirit).

In the beginning of Biblical Scripture, we see God creating 'every living creature' (Genesis 1:21, 24). It reminds me of something I learned as a child. All things bright and beautiful – All creatures great and small All things wise and wonderful – The Lord God made them all. The answer to animals having a soul lies in our own souls; the answer is “within” not without. To suggest that animals don’t have a soul is to play God and deny Him the pleasure of His own creation. If animals are nothing more than a machine, why should humans be any different? One look at this world today with its wars, mass murder and genocide should make us at least ponder the thought of who we are and why we’re here. Claiming that animals have no soul might be biological snobbery and arrogance. Proven by wars, poverty, oppression and greed we have become worse than any other animal on Earth. If the religious community and in particular the Christian community of North America were to believe that animals have souls hunting for sport would come to an end and all slaughterhouses would be forced to close their doors. Basically as humans we justify everything that we want. Arrogant enough to say animals don’t have a soul while equally arrogant in claiming a place in Heaven for oneself. Not only did we domesticate some of them for our own pleasure we now deny them the same Heaven we want for ourselves. Some Evangelicals believe that the beloved pets of children will be left behind to die when the so-called “rapture” takes place. Some are so greedy for reward that they would be quite willing to throw away God's creatures and let them starve to death. This is the mindset of some people who "claim" to love God. My opinion only. -------------- “In some religions, such as Abrahamic religions, meat eating has been defended on the basis that animals have no soul, do not feel pain or think or otherwise are not worthy of ethical consideration.” Wikipedia ------------- In Psalm 104 there is no distinction between man and beasts when it reads, addressing God: " Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled, thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust. Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created and thou renewest the face of the earth." The existence therefore, of all living creatures depends on the living spirit/breath of God that not only creates but also sustains and renews the face of the earth. In the beginning of our Scriptures, we see God creating 'every living creature' (Genesis 1:21, 24). The Hebrew words (transliterated) are 'chay' (living) and 'nephesh' (soul). 'Nephesh' is mentioned over "400" times in the Old Testament signifying soul. The words 'chay nephesh' are used from chapter one, verse 20, when the waters are filled with living creatures. The close translation from Hebrew is: 'And God said: Let the waters swarm [with] the swarmers [having] a soul of life …' and in the next verse: 'And God created the great sea animals, and all that creeps, [having] a living soul …'

As soul is religious believe that there is something inside us which can affect us. For someone to believe they have a soul it is a loose or firm belief that there is something in which controls our emotions and feelings. They may also believe that our soul goes to heaven or hell after we die. If you hold the belief that all of ‘god creatures’ have soul it then you will believe that animal has a soul. Others beliefs that we do not have a soul and everything is predetermined by genes and how we are brought up then there is a firm belief that an animal does not have a soul. They might also belive which is the scientific theory that emotions and our responses are controlled by the brain and different areas of the brain and not your 'soul' Down to what you believe at the end of the day.

Man has an eternal soul [Genesis 2:7 "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." Eccl.12:7 "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was; and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it."] Animals do not have an eternal soul [Eccl.3:21 "Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?" ] Animals have a soul in the sense that they breathe and have life but not an eternal soul like God has given to man.

Yes they do. The 'soul' is us, living breathing alive. It is not something separate that flits off when we die. And here are the Bible verses to confirm it. The original word in the Bible translated 'soul' is NEPHESH, which is Hebrew meaning ' that which breathes'. Genesis 2;7 states that man 'came to be' a living soul. He was NOT 'given' one. This is backed by 1 Corinthians 15;45/ 1 Peter 3;20. Eight souls carried safely through the water... Ezekiel 18;4 Look! All the souls—to me they belong. As the soul of the father so likewise the soul of the son—to me they belong. The soul that is sinning—it itself will die. And animals have the same outcome as people. Ecclesiastes 3;19 For there is an eventuality as respects the sons of mankind and an eventuality as respects the beast, and they have the same eventuality. As the one dies, so the other dies; and they all have but one spirit, so that there is no superiority of the man over the beast, for everything is vanity. 20 All are going to one place. They have all come to be from the dust, and they are all returning to the dust.

Simply put, no, animals do not "have a soul", they are living souls. The Hebrew word, ne´phesh, which occurs about 750 times in the Bible, means actually “a breather.” As we know by reading the Bible, fish, birds, animals and humans are all called “souls [ne´phesh]” in the Bible. They do not have souls. They are souls, breathing creatures. The “soul” cannot escape the hand of gravedom. It dies. Examination of the 102 occurrences in the Greek Scriptures of the corresponding word psy·khe´ likewise shows that man is a soul. “The first man Adam became a living soul [psy·khe´].” (1 Corinthians 15:45) God made this “soul” by blowing the breath of life into the nostrils of the man that he had formed out of dust from the ground. Thus man became a “breather,” or living soul. When Adam rebelled, God passed sentence of death on him, saying: “You [will] return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For dust you are and to dust you will return.” (Genesis 3:19) When that sentence was carried out, Adam ceased to be “a breather,” or a soul, and went back to the lifeless dust from which he had been taken. It was the reverse of the creation process. No part of him lived on. He went completely into nonexistence. The “soul” is the physical, living person himself, not just a spiritual part of him. Many authorities present this viewpoint. For example, one of America’s foremost Hebrew scholars, Dr. H. M. Orlinsky, said regarding the word soul”: “The Bible does not say we have a soul. ‘Nefesh’ is the person himself, his need for food, the very blood in his veins, his being.” Source The Bible, scriptures cited. and “What Happens When we Die?” 1976 WT Bible and Tract Society.

In the interconnected spiritual universe we are all one - even dogs, cats horses.

Every object which was created by god contains a divine spark which gives life and existence to that object. This spark is known as the soul

Neither animals nor men have immortal souls; both are living souls and become dead souls. Some persons have said that what makes man different from the animals is that man has a soul but the animals do not. However, Genesis 1:20 and 30 says that God created “living souls” to live in the waters, and that the animals have “life as a soul.” In these verses some Bibles use the words “creature” and “life” instead of “soul,” but their marginal readings agree that the word “soul” is what appears in the original language. Among the Bible references to animals as souls is Numbers 31:28. There it speaks of “one soul out of five hundred, of humankind and of the herd and of the asses and of the flock.” The Hebrew word, ne´phesh, which occurs about 750 times in the Bible, means actually “a breather.” Fish, birds, animals and humans are all called “souls [ne´phesh]” in the Bible. They do not have souls. They are souls, breathing creatures.

Animals have pure elemental spirits, and I believe souls. I don't think God would allow us to bond and communicate with them; to the degree that we do, if they did not have enduring souls.

most religions say yes but if u dnt have a religion then its simply what ever u believe

I think some of them do. My question is where the line is drawn. For instance sponges are very very simple animals. I don't think many people would say they have a soul. Primates (including us) are very complex and I definitly believe primates have souls.

Every living thing on the face of this planet, from the plants to the insects, to micron sized organisms have an essense or life spark. Any living creature has similar senses to humans, sight, hearing, feelings, and yes, even emotions. So yes, every living thing contains a soul or something similar thereof. They are all concious forms in one way or another.

I believe that if any living thing has a soul then all living things have souls.

I can't think of any scientific or theological evidence to suggest that they do. However, many people want to believe this, expecting to see their pets in the afterlife. pts for the Q!

Of course they have souls!!

If animals don't have souls then I don't want one either!

I think its true but I can't prove it

That is up to you. There is no proof either way.

The bible says all animals are souls as are people. Is that what you are referring to?

It's impossible to know!

yeh all animals have souls

No

Animals have the purest, sweetest souls.

Well most people would like to think that animals have souls but in real life animals are much differnt from man kind, so god made man have souls and not animals. But i would love to think animals realy do have souls!

I believe that they do. That's my personal belief... we can't really know for sure.

I believe they do...

I would like to think so being an animal lover.

No, animals are a living soul as we are.

People who do ghost hunts, psychics, and other people who study the paranormal will tell you that animals are just as likely to be "ghosts" and "spirits" as people are. The strange thing is, though, that most spirit animals are animals that have been close to people--cats, dogs, horses, etc. Still, any animal can become a spirit and to become a spirit, one has to have a soul that lives on after the body dies.

None of the above!

Depends on what religion you believe in.. I have cats and had dogs and definately believe they do have characters, and to me that means they have a soul.. which would make me buddist right? however since I do not really believe in ONE specific god for all mankind I generally do believe that most, if not all, living things on earth have some kind of soul.. after all.. how many cheeky flies have you come across? :) I might be one of them on your dinner soon lol ;)

According to the Bible, each human being IS a living soul. (Gen.2:7) Hebrew word - nephesh This same word is used in regard to other creatures. (Although the KJV translates the word 'creature' when dealing with animals and 'living soul' when it applies to man. No doubt the translators own bias slipped in a bit.) Nowhere in the Bible do the words 'immortal soul' appear. However, there is a resurrection promised for human souls that have died. There is no such event mentioned in regard to animals.

sorry for the length: Animals do have emotions and they also have souls, and I'll tell you how I know that. In over twenty years of working with animals, I have never seen a kitten duct-tape a live human baby to a freeway. I also have never seen a cat find enjoyment from setting a human on fire. I've never gone hiking in the desert to find a child that dogs have left tied to a stake, without food and water, subjecting it to a painful death in the desert heat. I have never seen a chicken force two unwilling humans to fight in a ring with razor blades attached to their feet while the chickens place bets on who will be the first to die. I haven't seen a puppy place eight children in a gunnysack and drown them in a river. Neither have I seen an eagle aim a shotgun at an unarmed human. I have yet to see a bear kill a human simply to place a head on the wall of their cave. And to this day, I have not seen a pigeon drive a car down the road and aim for humans who were walking around the park. Let me tell you what I have seen. I have seen my own cats sleep next to me so they may keep me a little warmer while I was ill. I've seen my dogs play games with me just to force a smile to my face. I have seen a cat rush into a burning home not once, not twice, but six times to save her kittens, nearly losing her own life in the process. I have seen a ferret pull a frightened kitten out of a deep hole in the ground. I have seen a coyote fetch another dog so that it may get the proper medical care that it needs. I've seen a dog, who loves to jump on people, avoid jumping on me when I injured my back. I've seen elephants cry. I've seen monkeys scream in empathy when one of their own were injured. I've seen puppies whine all night long when they were separated from their mothers. I've seen a dog pull a child away from a fire. What would you call that? I will let you decide.

Not only humans, dogs and cats, but shoes also have soles.

I personally can't imagine any kind of afterlife that would not include some of the kindest, most loving, and best friends I've ever had. :)

If they don't I don't think I would want to go there without them. Besides when I was growing up images in the bibles I seen had animals portraiting what was suppose to be heaven had animals in them, I couldn't imagine not having my kid or my animals not with me. I don't think I would want to spend eternity without either one I just don't think I would be happy that way. But that's my opinion, I've always got teary thinking about this subject & not having the one thing that has showed so much love & comfort in such a cruel world not going to heaven as they are more worthy of it then most people I know.

http://www.watchtower.org/e/20070715/article_01.htm this article will take you to the Bible for an explanation. What about animals and plants? Are they souls? Consider how the Bible describes the creation of animals. “Let the waters swarm forth a swarm of living souls,” God commanded. On the next creative day, God said: “Let the earth put forth living souls according to their kinds, domestic animal and moving animal and wild beast of the earth according to its kind.” (Genesis 1:20, 24) Therefore, all living creatures—human or animal—are souls. Scripturally, plants are not referred to as souls. this article below addresses a question in your profile. http://www.watchtower.org/e/200601/article_02.htm

So what is a soul? Souls run the operation of the body. Spirits are eternal. cat and dogs have souls and spirits just like the human animal.

no, based on what I was told by n expert.... But hwo cares, I love them soooooo much with or without soul...

Only humans have soles...at the bottom of their shoes

Yes. They are far better/kinder/purer life forms than humans. If humans believe they have souls, then surely the innocent animals have them as well. Happy Saturday! :)

Animals are living souls, thats why they have emotions feelngs ect, just like humans a soul is what they are not what they possess :)

Sure, all animals have souls. They are purer than people so why shouldn't they, right?

i think so:) they have feeling like us whos to say only humans have souls

I believe that everything in this world has a soul. So yea, I believe animals have them too.

My two dogs have ar-souls!

I'm not sure people do so I don't know.

Absolutely because they all have character. And when I look into my horse's eyes, I know he has an inner source that screams to be heard. (metaphorically speaking of course)

yes every living thing has soul.

i have knows some cats and dogs who had souls. humans probably reincarnate into domesticated dogs and cats.

This is purely my opinion: I think every living this carries in it a spark of a whole light. Call it a soul, call it energy, call it universal material. So yes, I think an animal is more than its physical body.

If people have souls then so do animals. They probably have more decent ones too..

I completely agree with Orange Mango.

What's a soul?

I believe that they do. Heaven would be a real lousy place, without our pets, right? +5

No

As much of a soul as we have...

Yes, it's the tastiest part

Where do you think Soul Food comes from? :):):)

i sure am counting on it!!!

I would say all living things have souls.It has been shown that plants have emotions,memories,and intelligence.If there was a heaven it would be boring without plants and animals.

I hope so because I have lost a lot of my precious little friends(animals) too many too mention and hope too see them again in Heaven. RIP my sweeties.

No, neither do humans. We all are simply living souls.