Do dogs have souls?

[reitz]

I figured I'd start a more light-hearted religious discussion

Do dogs (or whatever other animal you prefer) have souls? Those that don't believe in a soul, save your words, since I already know your answer

Many pet owners develop very deep bonds with their pets, which seem to be reciprocated. A 2-minute search on the Internet will reveal literally hundreds of accounts of exceptional pets who seem to be able to sense certain feelings in their owners, or be able to predict when their owners will return (even in the absence of any physical evidence). What happens when these animals die? Do their biological systems simply stop functioning, or is there more to it?

If these animals do have souls, are they equal with human souls? If not, how is the heirarchy structured? What distinguishes an animal with a soul from an animal without one?

Is there a doggie heaven? What about a doggie hell?

 

[amnesiac]

I think every living being has a soul. You don't necessary have to be intelligent / sentient to have one IMO.

 

[Passions]

All dogs goto heaven.

 

[Elledan]

Define 'a soul'.

 

[Suicidal]

No irrational creature, such as a dog, has a soul. Man was given an intellectual soul by God as to be created in His image. Now it might be said that all animals have a likeness to God, however, a likeness does not absolutely mean the same as an image. Not every likeness is sufficient to make an image. Man has intellect. Animals do not have intellect. Intelligent beings have souls. Therefore, things without intellect are not made in God's image and as such, do not have souls.

Word.

 

[Suicidal]

Can no person dispute my wisdom?

 

[typersakimoto]

if i could find out from god "him"self....... i bet he'll say dogs do have soul.....

oh yeah.... if i found out from god.... then anything is possible right?

 

[Scabilian]

animals dont have souls but i do believe there will be animals in heaven.

 

[GTaudiophile]

I think souls are there to remind us to be good, whereas I think dogs are like that inherently.

 

[ecrespol]

Well if they don't then I'm out of a job (I buy, sell, and trade souls for a living). Either way business is still booming... You'd be supprised who is willing to sell you their soul for a few bucks, a chance at fame, or even a rawhide chew thing.

 

[Donuts]

They seems to have more soul than most the people I come into contact with.

 

[Elledan]

Humans are just Primates. Accidentally they've self-awareness, so that they can use their intellect in more ways than other Primates.

There are some other animals which have self-awareness and are reasonable intelligent (like dolphins) outside of the group of Primates.

On a sidenote, dogs are different from animals living in the wild. Long ago some Humans adopted a few young wolves, and over the years those wolves were (mal)formed into the current dogs. Every female and male dog can get healthy offspring, since all dogs share the same DNA and are thus actually one species.

 

[Whitecloak]

i am with you on that Donuts

 

[Azraele]

<<No irrational creature . . . has a soul. >>

Have you ever seen a squirrel defeat a squirrel-proof bird feeder? Tell me they do not think rationally...or is their ability to consistently make a mockery of mens' contraptions time and time again just dumb luck?

Personally, I do believe animals have souls, and can even reason and think. When I was in college, my cat Tender, knew when I was leaving. She looked up at me, her eyes full of hurt, and deliberately turned her back on me. It nearly broke my heart. The look in her eyes is what did it. She knew. There's no way a sould does not lay behind those eyes.

 

[StormRider]

Personally, I do believe animals have souls, and can even reason and think. When I was in college, my cat Tender, knew when I was leaving. She looked up at me, her eyes full of hurt, and deliberately turned her back on me. It nearly broke my heart. The look in her eyes is what did it. She knew. There's no way a sould does not lay behind those eyes.

I agree. I just get this sense from their eyes that a lot of animals have feelings and emotions just like humans do.

 

[LadyJessica]

No irrational creature, such as a dog, has a soul

So do schizophrenic people lack a soul?

 

[Mikal]

Dogs like Soul Food, man.

 

[xraymongral]

If you belive in reincarnation, then animals have souls. If you do bad in this life, you may be reincarnated in your next life as a less worthy creature.