I'd like to ask a question, one to which I have given some thought. Evolutionary biology tells that we are descended from the great apes of bygone eons. The links tying us to these wandering tribes are as small as those connecting our parents to ourselves: there is no room in evolutionary theory for clear lines of demarcation between species, between what was and what has become. Our history is simply a history of parents and children, over and over again, stretching back further than we can imagine. When did we become us? When did we become a creature which broke from God and needed to be brought back? When did the sheep of humanity leave the fold, forcing the tired shepherd to track us down? When did we get our souls?
I see three possible answers: first, that it was instilled in us at a certain point; second, that it evolved as well; or third, that it does not actually exist. The first seems strange to me. A soulless parent giving birth to a child, the same number of chromosomes but now filled with the consciousness and conscience we attribute to our own humanness, our soul. This disjuncture seems harsh, unrealistic, ad hoc. Or perhaps it was instilled across the species in one instant. This seems more plausible, but again, strange somehow. The second seems hard to reconcile with our tradition. Chimpanzees and bonobos would have some part of a soul like ours, but we don’t treat them thus, nor do we think they can sin in the same we can. And the third answer is, well, the third answer. Nothing much more can be said.
What do you think?
To be 100% honest, I tend to disregard the idea that other animals don't have souls. Blame that on the steady diet of Disney (and the like) I grew up on if you wish. I suppose that on the basic level that means my response is some what the inverse of your third supposition: rather than the soul not existing, it exists in everything. Therefore, there is no tension as all animals have souls and have at each stage throughout their evolution back to the initial spark of creation. I don't know much about the teaching that animals other than humans lack souls. So if you care to provide more information, I'd be happy to read it.
ReplyDeleteThat aside, I think the quandry is a fascinating one. At first glance, it would seem to provide further evidence for the side that argues Abrahamic religions and "evolution" are incompatible. But as I find most of those arguments lacking, I shan't be swayed. (I used shan't :-) )
I think souls are hard to discuss because there's not really a clear definition for what a soul actually is. It is hard to define. It would seem to be something different than mere intelligence yet somehow linked to it. Though, there are humans who lack in intelligence, yet we would not say that they lack a soul.
I like the idea that the soul evolves along with the biology. And I would posit in addition that the evolution has not concluded, but is still a very active process.
I agree that the first answers seems best. It still brings up interesting questions though, questions about why we are different and when we became different.
ReplyDeleteI tend to want to believe that humans are not quite as 'unique' and 'special' as Christianity seems to assure us they are. Isn't it kind of an Eastern idea that everything possesses some piece of 'God'? I wonder if we can somehow sort of reconcile that with our Christianity?
ReplyDeleteAccording to Ecclesiastes 3:19-21:
ReplyDeleteSurely the fate of human beings is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same spirit; humans have no advantage over animals, for all is vanity. All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return. Who knows if the human spirit rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?”
And Proverbs 12:10 states "A righteous man knows the soul of his animal."
And according to some sources on the internet (which I admit sometimes leave me wanting when it comes to truth) Pope JP2 stated in a public address that "Animals have souls."
I think that teaching on it is kind of open, too.
Just some thoughts to add to this discussion...
ReplyDeletePerhaps being able to connect - soul to soul - with animals was one of the beautiful aspects of Eden. When man and woman left Eden, not only did they lose the safety, wonder and the ultimate perks of Paradise, but they also lost the connection to God's other creations, which may have souls, but we've lost the ability to recognize them. Perhaps, when we feel a strong connection to a pet or to nature, it is because God is opening a tiny window between our (human and creation) souls. And maybe as we allow God into our lives on ever increasing levels, the more apt He is to grant us this gift.
[I mean, have you ever wondered sometimes in those cases when animals save people, that there is something definitely transcendent going on between the person and the animal?]
As LK stated, the teaching on this is kind of open. Maybe it's kept vague for a reason. I could see the idea being contorted when people would begin to value animals more than each other. All of God's creation is special, but humans are God's children. I believe we should love each other as Christ instructed, and then show that love to creation as well.