the rainbow bridge: a spiritual question

[lyoness]

Ever since Gimpy passed on I seem to be hearing more and more deaths of birds, which makes my gut turn over. Especially the recent passing of Cocoa the African Grey. I cried when I read that post.
So now I have a question of religious concerns. As it is, I was raised catholic and now have my own form of "self-spirituality" which follows more along the lines of Christianity and a more compassionate, understanding view of the human nature. I believe there is some greater power, but I don't think we can fathom it. Since Gimpy died I've had small intervals of depression here and there, mostly due to the fact that I have never had someone important in my life die (surprising, but true). The closest I can relate was a few hamsters when I was much younger, and they didn't seem to phase me. So now I'm stuck with a question I'd hoped I would never have to ask msyelf: do animals have souls? I want to believe they do, and I want to believe that my little Gimpy was self-aware but I just don't know anymore. I was raised in a very self-centered religion that stated that animals had no souls. I have trouble believing that. The whole thing makes my head hurt.
So tell me, what do you guys believe?

[Cheeky beaks]

Hi' I don't see how anyone can believe that animals don't have souls. How can something that is not suppost to have a soul give such love and comfort when we need it most.
I know my fids are self aware. I have a Goffin female who knows when she's tired and asked to go to bed. I could give many examples but loving animals as you do I'm sure you know what I mean. I've never really been interested in having budgies but, when I saw those pictures of Gimpy you posted I wished for the first time that I lived close to you as I would have given anything to have had him. He really touched something in me.
I'm so proud of you for taking care of him like you did and you can really take comfort in knowing you gave him what he needed most, someone who cared about him and thats what we all need. Bless you and you can find the answer to your question in the eyes of those animals you love, I know I did. Joan

[yehudasf]

BS"D

Torah HaKodesh is very clear that all animal life (including we humans )is ensouled (en·soul (ĕn-sōl') pronunciation also in·soul (ĭn-)tr.v., -souled, -soul·ing, -souls. 1. To endow with a soul.2. To place, receive, or cherish in the soul.). Meaning, in the most basic sense, that all have an eternal, immortal essence that continues from the time of each individual's cherished creation by Hashem Ha Kodesh Baruchu, unto all eternity. It is this principle (among others that form the Theological basis for reincarnation found in the sacred texts of the Zohar & Qabballah. The nefesh, or "animal soul" is the perfect, natural being without guile, guilt, or shame. Only in we humans do our actions bring such weights unto it. In our creature companions in this creation, this soul is never smirched, nor in any way corrupted. They live their lives' in total obedience to Hashem who created them. None should doubt that they continue on even as we, who so often would aggreive Hashem Ha Kodesh Baruchu, do. On the day of full redemption & physical resurrection I fully expect to be joined by those creatures with whom I was priveleged to share my mortal sojourn, only then there will be no pain, nor loss, nor tears. All sorrows forgotten, all wounds bound up. Those called "dumb" animals will be so no longer & joy shall be the greater for it.

[LissaKokoKiwiKaseySam]

oh yes, they have souls...I know they do. One day we will all be reunited..I know we will. Those that touched us so deeply in life will be with us again..I believe it with all my heart. My heaven will be filled with all those who made me who I am, including my animals.

[The Outlaw]

In my heart I believe that we are given the chance to prove ourselves worthy of life ever after by how we treat those over whom we have dominion. Be it animal or human, its really a test of our humanity. We shall reap that which we sow.

THE OUTLAW

[Casa Amazona]

Yehudasf, I am in complete agreement with you. I fully expect all of my companions to be in Heaven waiting for me.

Nancy, the Bible teaches that God is concerned about the birds of the air. If He is concerned about them, it is reasonable to understand that we do have an obligation to care for them the best we can -- as if common sense and decency didn't already tell us that. You're right.

[basketbagley]

I am a Christian and I do believe that the animals have souls. And yes, in the Bible it states that God cares for every feather on the birds bodies, and every hair in our heads! I do believe that we have a much different purpose here than the animals, but no more of a soul.

Like everyone has said, you can't look into any of our pets eyes, and not see a soul! God better be building me an extra big room in his house with all the pets i've had, will have throughout the years! (not that I want to die anytime soon) But I can't wait to be with all of them in Heaven! Each one has a huge piece of my heart!

[Monica]

Scientifically, souls don't exist, unless a soul is made of energy. I don't see how anyone can say an animal doesn't have a soul when us humans do. In truth, we humans are animals too, which would contradict what so many 'believe'. I'd rather be called an animal than a human because in this age I find it so disrespecting and horrible to be human because of all the things we do to make it better for ourselves which in turns makes the real creatures of the earth become extinct. It doesn't mean that on a day to day basis that I hate humans, but more so that I hate all that we have done to destroy our world.

[Franciscus]

Originally Posted by Monica

I'd rather be called an animal than a human because in this age I find it so disrespecting and horrible to be human because of all the things we do to make it better for ourselves which in turns makes the real creatures of the earth become extinct. It doesn't mean that on a day to day basis that I hate humans, but more so that I hate all that we have done to destroy our world.

I told my mothe rwhen I was a child I was embarrased to be human with what we do to other creatures and the earth.

I beleive animals have souls. leaning towards Buddhism, I beleive all living things do. I also think heaven would not be paradise to me without the animals I love dearly.

[Lisa B]

This subject is a hard one on me. I lost my boy a bit more than 2.5 years ago, tho, it still hurts like yesterday. Many things I have read have helped me with his passing . I even went to see a psychic (which I dont really believe in, but my friend took me) because I was confused on things that were happening around me. I wrote notes about wheat the psychic said, but never really shared them for the fear people would think I was completely nuts.
This "writing" helped me alot. It might also answer your Questions. ITs called "Untill we meet again".........I dont know who wrote it.


I know what you're thinking. You think I'm dead. Because you cannot see me with your human eyes, cannot feel me with your hands or hold me in your arms, you think I am gone forever. You recall how I looked when I left this earth and you cannot remotely imagine that I am alive in another place. You are racked and torn by the pain of our separation and it blinds you to that which is right in front of you...me.
How many times since I left your immediate sight have you been told that I'm dead and you should "get over it"? How many times have you cried yourself to sleep because you feel like an outcast, believing you're supposed to get over me because that's what people say is normal but somehow you can't and no one seems to understand? How many times have you put yourself through such excruciating pain because you aren't willing to consider that I am not, by any means, dead?
I want you to do me a favor and go back in time with me. Remember the glorious day you brought me home - was I not the most intriguing creature you'd ever met? Did I not make you laugh and giggle? Did I not look at you with such adoration that you wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of your life with me? I wanted this too.
Remember the days when I was in my prime and we did many things together. You were so proud of me! I was a good friend and I took care of you when you cried, were angry or felt down and unhappy. When you didn't have a lot of time for me because of your obligations, I waited patiently for you. I was always there when you needed me. Did I not look at you with such acceptance and patience that perhaps at times you felt a bit unworthy? You were never unworthy in my eyes.
Remember when age crept up on me, my wings became stiff and my movements slower. Still I called to you when came home and followed you around. We'd been together for so long, I was your very best friend regardless of what you were doing, saying and thinking. Did I not look at you with such kindness and understanding that you felt overwhelmed? I couldn't get enough of you.
Remember the last time we saw each other with earthly eyes. You tried to be brave but I knew you were crying...I know you so well, better than anyone else in the world. Did I not look at you with such pure trust and love that you yearned only to hold me close and keep me with you always? Did you not promise that you would love me forever? I believed you.
If this is so then why have you let me go by thinking I no longer exist?
Remember the depth of love in my eyes when I looked at you. Who created this love? Would the Creator diminish the song of our laughter that grew and flourished in this love? I am no longer an earthly figure, this is true. My body was only part of who I really am and it would have been but a mere shell on earth if it were not filled to overflowing with my soul, my spirit and my loving light. When we met you thought I was cute, pretty and adorable. What kind of relationship would we have had if this were all that I'd been? How could you have loved me if I'd had no spiritual substance?
We are all made up of energy that resides far deep down inside of us, it is our core and our soul, spirit and loving light. It is the energy that is all of life...it has no beginning, it has no end. It simply is and always will be and without it there is no life. You can't see it with the naked eye nor can you hold it in your hand, it is simply a certain knowing that this energy does exist. It's a knowing just as you know that our love existed on earth - you couldn't see our love in a solid sense, you couldn't gather it all up and confine it to one place. But you *knew* it existed. There was no doubt in your mind.
There are those who demand you get over me, insisting that I'm dead and you'll never see me again because birds don't go to Heaven. Oh really? I'm here to tell you different. You were as worthy of my love and undying devotion on earth as I was of yours. Do you really believe this love would be snatched from us *forever* by a loving Creator simply because I wasn't human? Was I not a living, breathing creation with personality? How could I have been so if I didn't possess the energy of soul, spirit and loving light? And if this energy is and always will be, then how can it be that I am dead? If my core is not the energy that is all of life then I was never alive to begin with. But you know better.
You cry because you miss me, this I understand. I miss you too - I miss the tickles, hugs and kisses that we shared. But life does go on beyond these wonderful, fulfilling physical connections. I came to this place to continue on in a new life, not because I didn't love you anymore or because I wanted something better. I came here because it was time for me to go to the next phase of my existence, something all living creatures must do eventually. It is the normal progression of life. I was not taken away from you because you cannot take away that which was never owned. My presence in your life was and is a gift to be cherished and honored just as I cherish and honor you.
Life is not simply about being born into a body, living a certain number of years and then dying. Energy cannot die. We are blessed with time in a body so that we can learn, share and grow. It prepares us for the next phase of our eternal life. The body holds within it the true life force of our existence...our soul, spirit and loving light. Without these our bodies would be empty, blank, void of feeling and expression. Without our energy we would indeed be dead and could never have experienced our love for each other.
You say that all you have left are memories but this is not so. You see, when I took leave of my earthly body I left a little something behind for you. You can't touch it, hold it or examine it, for what I left behind is far too uninhibited for confinement. I left in your tender care a piece of my soul. I placed it right next to your own which is quite fitting as we were always side by side in our earthly life together. I love you too much to have left you with nothing but memories that tend to fade and grow cloudy as the years go by. I love you too much to have vanished without a trace. How selfish it would be of me to remove love and light from your life.
I understand your tears, each one you shed is testament to your love for me and I am honored and humbled. But don't forget the good things we shared - remember and smile. This is an honor for me as well. When you need me I will be here. Close your eyes, relax, take slow, deep breaths and picture me in your mind. Shut off the world and your notions of what you think death is and give me a chance. Look for the subtle signs I send you. Don't stop being proud of me, I am a friend to be proud of, I am still your friend and part of your life. Don't memorialize the death of my body but instead honor and celebrate my never-ending life for it is eternal and forever as is my love for you.
Until we meet again...