Animals, a soul, and free will (Jesus, moral, Creator, Earth)

[Pardus]

Welcome to one of the catalysts that moved me away from christianity.

Just to put my stance on the table, I am an animal.

[pballfreek20]

It also says that Man, that being humans, are created in the image of God. Animals were put here on earth to serve man. There are certain things that separate us from animals as well. Our brain size. The ability to ask "why". Also there is no other created thing that wiilingly and knowingly wipes out it's own species. Animals have one instinct, that is survival. Every action an animal takes is for that.

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by pballfreek20

It also says that Man, that being humans, are created in the image of God. Animals were put here on earth to serve man. There are certain things that separate us from animals as well. Our brain size. The ability to ask "why". Also there is no other created thing that wiilingly and knowingly wipes out it's own species. Animals have one instinct, that is survival. Every action an animal takes is for that.

I don't believe anyone is trying to say that humans and animals are identical creations. But I can tell you of a surety that not every action my dogs or my cat takes is for survival. I'm sorry you haven't experienced the kind of unconditional love they are capable of giving. It's definitely your loss.

[Pah]

Originally Posted by pballfreek20

... Animals were put here on earth to serve man. ...

My internet bible says "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, [b] and over all the creatures that move along the ground.".

A king rules over his subjects and is obligated to care for them. This "two-way" street would say there is "serving" on both sides. What animals have you served today?

[St0ne]

Do animals feel love? Other than humans of course...

[Master Vigil]

Originally Posted by pballfreek20

The ability to ask "why".

Ever wonder why they don't ask why? It's because they don't need to. They are so spiritually advanced, they KNOW already. Wonder why they aren't stressed? Because they are so spiritually balanced that they are constantly at peace.

[Pardus]

I don't nessicarily completely agree with you vigil, but they are very much my sentiments.

[TheGreaterGame]

Originally Posted by Pah

In Genesis, God created the animals, The questions I’d like discussed is whether this biblical God embodied the animals with souls and if free will was given, in the same period, to the animals. And finally, is sin, as spoken of in the Bible, attributable to animals if they do not have a soul and/or free will?

-pah-

Adam sinned so creation as a whole fell into a sinful or fallen state . . . this is known as Federal Theology . . . so I think that by way of fall animal aquired a heart or will to want kill and draw blood . . . but I have not fleshed this all out to say the least . . . but from my understanding the earth and its creatures are fallen and are now being redeemed by a risen Jesus

[YmirGF]

Aminals, a soul and free willy.

I can't say that I much care what the Bible has to say on the matter Pan. Evidently many others feel differently. Still others tell us of the magical kindred bond with our little friends. Then there is the wisdom of Druidus. Druidus makes me chuckle. I can well imagine a bear running up to the first thing it see just to offer a big hug. He's quite right. You don't want to get too close, unless you really know what you are doing.

I'm hardly an expert on the subject, but like always, I do have an opinion.

The animal folks are right. Animals must have souls, as they would certainly seem to have just a little more than a bit of "character". I have always believed that we can learn a lot about ourselves from animals, and I am not likey to ever change that view. I feel no shame in being the descendant of an ape that swung from a tree long ago. Funnily enough, to me, it just makes sense. I meet people all the time who simply serve to confirm that there are still a few that are not too far from the branch.

The meat of the matter. Free will. Hmmm. That IS a toughie. Don't look at me. Look around. What do you see? If you don't see the answer, then there is nothing I can tell you. And if I did have something to tell you, you would be better off not listening. Free will? That would be a yes.

[Pardus]

Yes YmirGF, the whale in free willy was an animal.