I don't believe in souls but I do think animals have a higher consciousness in the same way humans do. I also think they are a lot more intelligent than we give them credit for, especially birds. It always amuses me now that they're discovering just how intelligent birds really are.
But I'm also conscious of anthropomorphising them. They're not people so they don't have the same type of consciousness that humans do, they don't think in the same way that humans do. I think that gets over the whole insect-plant-bacteria thing.
In the case of a bacterium it is just one cell, but all life on earth began as just one cell. (I believe anyway.)
I don't believe in souls but I do think animals have a higher consciousness in the same way humans do. I also think they are a lot more intelligent than we give them credit for, especially birds. It always amuses me now that they're discovering just how intelligent birds really are.
But I'm also conscious of anthropomorphising them. They're not people so they don't have the same type of consciousness that humans do, they don't think in the same way that humans do. I think that gets over the whole insect-plant-bacteria thing.
In the case of a bacterium it is just one cell, but all life on earth began as just one cell. (I believe anyway.)
Excellent point. If animals have souls then what's to say that every living thing also has a soul. That would count plankton, bacteria, germs, etc.
I did a 2 week research for a class in college on the habits of 3 different types of birds, & I learned that they are extremely intelligent. It was very interesting to watch & learn about them.
Ya know, I think you're right. We tried a Unitarian church once, and the "minister" was a Buddhist and when an insect landed on her book she carefully carried it outside. I remember her saying something like, "With me being Buddhist and all..."
I think we are all a part of one big source of energy and that energy can change from one form to another. Animals certainly have emotions, they have personalities, they feel pain, and pet's watch out for us and give us comfort. I see no reason why they wouldn't have a "soul" in fact I see no reason why they haven't lived in other forms before and perhaps even lived as a human in a "past life." :/
This!!! I think it's all the same source- not necessarily "soul" but ... energy. Break us down- it's all the atom.
Also- my cat definitely is more in tune with me than anyone else- knows when i am sick, sad, etc. She sees the things that aren't there.
I don't really have faith in anything, but I like to think that we come from and return to the same source.
My only question about animals having souls is just how far down the food chain does it extend? Of course we want our pets to have souls, but what about tigers? Bats? And then what about insects?
Mind you, I DO think animals have souls, but it does boggle my mind when I get down to insects.
Kinda makes me wonder on the flip side . . what if animals and insects etc question if we have souls or something of the like?
Really, we don't know how an animals mind works, what thoughts they have, what 'emotions' they are capable of, or any animal, plant, insect, etc . . . .
I suppose if you question how far down the chain the soul goes, you could go the other way. How do we know we even have souls? I mean, it's not like we've found a way to measure it, or establish its existence...
That's another reason that I believe my mom was such a wise woman--she knew that what she told me would be comforting without causing a ruckus about eating a chicken for dinner dinner later on.
This thread is really making me miss my cat. I love all my cats dearly, but you know how sometimes, there's one little creature that just really works her way into your heart? One that you feel a special connection with? That was her. She got a particularly large share of my soul.
my belief? I am not sure I believe anything has a soul as in that energy source, the word soul itself bugs me, as it refers to a metaphysical part of us, and I believe we are not 2 seperate parts (body and mind) I believe we are just one thing, we ARE, so in death we cease to be completely. (but I do believe we can leave an imprint as in ghost, of who we were as I have seen ghosts or as I call them imprints of who we were)
I believe the same of animals, and after a few pets I have had that really impacted my life, I began to wonder whats the difference between those pets and the food we slaughter and eat. Those animals are capable of the same consciousness as my pets, and thus in my belief the same level of conscienceness as ourselve. And thus I am very strict vegetarian, and only eat dairy that I know is organic and free range as I have strong beliefs in the ethical treatment of animals.
I have a soul and it is an immortal soul as I have a relationship with Jesus Christ and have the gift of the Holy Spirit in me.
Many of you will not understand the above comment as the Holy Spirit does not dwell in you and therefore you cannot understand what I know.
As humans we have the ability to accept or reject God's WORD....we have souls, created by Him. Our pets and other animals are not given that ability of free will.
Scripture is not clear on what happens to our pets at their death but it is clear that God loves them and has given them to us as gifts.
Be assured, when Christ comes again, we will no longer inflict pain upon them from our sin and they will not harm us!
I cannot even imagine being in Heaven without my golden retrievers but if I am it will be PERFECT!
Heather, I am so sorry about your beloved dog's diagnosis. Is the prognosis at all hopeful? May you and your sweet puppy have as long and as happy a time together as possible. My heart really does go out to you; it's a hard thing to bear that bad news.
EZMONEY, you and I don't share the same faith, but as the very definition of Heaven involves a state of perfect happiness, that would surely mean having your goldens there. They're beautiful animals, aren't they?
Nola Celeste - I am stealing your moms animal-soul wisdom and keeping it forever (though I do intend to share). Brilliant.
I've also been told once, that when people die, it's because they've figured out the great mystery of life, and so God/the Cosmos/aliens/whatever scoops them back up to heaven/whatever so that they don't tell the secret to anybody who's not ready to figure it out for themselves, and that's why some children die (they figured it out really early on) and some people get so busy with life they don't have time to really sit, and figure it out until they're 110! I think it's a cute idea
Anyway, my vote is soul = yes. My pet rabbit has the soul similar to that of a grumpy old man, and I love him to bits for it.
It was very interesting to watch & learn about them.
I remember her saying something like, "With me being Buddhist and all..."
I am so sorry for this Heather 
