[Lychee]

Originally Posted by Kerney

The implications of the idea that animals do no have souls is pretty horrific. What it means s that we can treat this world as if it has no value, and is not worthy of our regard or respect. Everything revolves around us. How long do does it take before we decide that the person beside us is not a real person, and we can masacure them, or put them in an extermination camp, or have contests to see who can chop peoples heads off the fastest. We can rape them or beat them, because they are not "people".

How long until we become self centered morons who think the world really does revolve around us. I say, look at all the self centered people who are catered to during their lives and think it is their due. Notice that many of them.....seem to lack regard or empathy for their fellow humans.

However, if you regard all things as with a soul, you are more likely to treat all things with respect as brothers and sisters, worthy and with an equal place, even when you have to kill it to survive, you are living in a sacred manner.

Consider the mentality of Francis of Assisi, who referred to "Brother Sun, Sister Moon" as compared to the Crusaders, and we know who was holy.

Miyatake Osain (Lakota), It means, we are all related. I have no doubt that all my realitives have souls. I can feel the soul of a mountain, or a stream, and they are sacred. Same with plants, animal, and even people.

To quote a book and claim you know the will of God only shows how little you know.

All the Best,

Kerney

I don't think MindReality was trying to imply that animals do not have souls, but that they do not have individuation of consciousness. But I'm not sure - it would be good if MR could elaborate.