Christian Reader Opinions on “Does an Animal Have a Soul?”
About 4 min read
People from various religions have different points-of-view and beliefs concerning this subject. The following are feedback letters and opinions from Christian readers concerning “Does an Animal Have a Soul?”:
- Lecturing on topic
- Animals lie together in Heaven
- Bible implies animal souls
- God is good to animals
- God cares for animals
Also see:
Letters received
Following is the text of letters received.
Lecturing on topic
March 03, 2003
Am currently doing research on a lecture I’ll be doing this summer on pet afterlife/contact. In course of research I have really explored the religious angle to it, pro & con; and personally found about 30 verses in the Bible (old and new testament) that support animal afterlife/heaven. I’m finding it interesting that different religious figures I contact, ministers, religious scholars, etc., believe in yes, animals have souls and go to heaven with us (after all, they state,they were created by God to be companions), but, like us, animals cannot come back and visit us after passing on, no more than we can, once we go to heaven and hell. I find this rather ironic and interesting!
What is your personal and final thinking and opinion and conclusion on this? Would love to hear your feedback on this!
Kind Regards,
Sister Shane SiaAnswer
The topic of whether animals have souls brings up the question of which animals? If dogs and cats have souls, what about mice? Or insects? And if they have souls, what about bacteria or single cells? Although it makes no sense that only humans should have a spiritual essence, while other forms of life are just complex machines, it also brings up questions about the nature of the soul. Perhaps we have an incorrect understanding of it.
One school of thought is that the soul is put into a person for a human experience. It is not “I’m a human having a spiritual experience” rather it is “I’m a soul having a human experience.” This opens the door another soul to have a chipmunk experience.
Needless to say, it is a thought-provoking topic. I would be interested in learning what verses you found in the Bible that support animal afterlife. Also, I would be glad to publish the text of your lecture as a view on this subject.
Animals lie together in Heaven
November 1997
Hi! My name is Julie and I ran across you sight and have a comment about animals havingnot having souls. I do think that in the Bible it says the lamb and lion will lie together in Heaven. I do consider this a definite indication that animals are too with a soul. We will share our Heaven with them…the Bible says. Just wanted to shed some light… since you too are hoping they are with soul. Thanks!
Julie B.
Bible implies animal souls
August 1997
In the Bible, Job 12:9-10 states: “Who does not know in all these that the hand of the Lord has made them? Because in His hand are the souls of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.”
I would guess from this that Job thought every living thing had a soul.
Charlotte W. of Austin, Texas
God is good to animals
June 1997
If God is all good and all powerful, it seems to me that he would have to compensate animals in some way for any unmerited suffering they’ve had in their life. I have no way of proving this, but it does seem to be in accordance with what we view as God’s nature. This is an interesting topic and I enjoyed viewing your information on the web.
Michael D.
God cares for animals
March 1997
A reader sent in the Biblical quotation from Matthew 6:26: “Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”
He didn’t give any opinion on what he thought the sentences meant.
My interpretation is that although God places humans on a higher level than the animals, He still cares for them. This quotation may imply that animals also have souls. Some people may interpret it to be completely the opposite.
In conclusion
People have diverse views on whether or not an animal possesses a soul, according to their own religious belief.
Care about animals and other people
What do you think?
Do you have any questions, comments, or opinions on this subject? If so, send an email with your feedback. I will try to get back to you as soon as possible.
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