Do you believe in the soul?

barc0debaby - 9-10-2010 at 04:22 PM

I'm writing a paper on the soul; does it exist, what is it, etc etc. Trying to collect as many opinions as I can, any input would be greatly appreciated.

Mark Lind - 9-10-2010 at 04:26 PM

No. I believe we're a collection of cells and when we die then it's over. In my opinion religion is something that humans have constructed so they can feel less afraid of the dark (so to speak) and the soul is the idea they've created to feel like we're more important than the future compost heap we are. We're just more evolved mammals and we're not more special than fluffy the cat and fito the dog.

But I'm also a cynic.

XnMeX - 9-10-2010 at 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mark Lind
No. I believe we're a collection of cells and when we die then it's over. In my opinion religion is something that humans have constructed so they can feel less afraid of the dark (so to speak) and the soul is the idea they've created to feel like we're more important than the future compost heap we are. We're just more evolved mammals and we're not more special than fluffy the cat and fito the dog.

But I'm also a cynic.

What he said. Nail on the head!

Discipline - 9-10-2010 at 09:47 PM

I believe in soul music and food. Other than that it's all bullshit.

clevohardcore - 9-10-2010 at 09:51 PM

I think the soul is your conscience. Once you lose hope and aspiration you lose your soul. You have nothing left.

tireironsaint - 9-10-2010 at 10:19 PM

I see no basis or evidence for a soul as a separate thing from the physical body. I think what people refer to as a soul is simply the inherent identity possessed by any human with a functioning brain. There's nothing supernatural or beyond the physical world there, it's all just the work of the synapses and is amazing enough without trying to assign it some unknowable definition.

DaveMoral - 9-10-2010 at 10:29 PM

Soul is a complex topic, but I'd like to put forth the roots of the words translated as "soul" from Herbrew, Arabic, and Greek. They are, respectively, Nephesh, Nafs and Psyche. All of which carry the connotation of breath and "to blow." The same is true for the words translated as Spirit. Ruach(Hebrew), Ruh(Arabic) and Pnuema(Greek). All of which also carry the meaning of "breath" and "wind." Which indicates to me a strong metaphysical correlation to the actual physical breath. And this seems to touch upon all cultures. Prana, and Chi are used by the Indians and Chinese respectively to refer to the animating force of living things.

So, yeah, I believe in the soul as the very essence of life. I'd go so far as the suggest that the Soul(Nafs, Nephesh, Psyche) is the individuated aspect of a person while the Spirit(Ruach, Ruh, Pnuema) is the spark of the Divine within each of us. It's our connection to God or the Great Spirit or the Oversoul or whatever.

I would recommend you spend some time really researching traditional metaphysics for this stuff, as well as get opinions.

Mark Lind - 9-11-2010 at 08:53 AM

I believe is this mar-far

JawnDiablo - 9-11-2010 at 10:01 AM

soul food rules

Furly - 9-11-2010 at 10:20 AM

This rules also.

http://www.youtube.com/user/KiaSoul?blend=2&ob=1

JawnDiablo - 9-11-2010 at 10:56 AM

oh I hate that comercial ...for some reason

Discipline - 9-11-2010 at 02:10 PM

I think watching that commercial on acid would lead to a scary trip.

wez138 - 9-11-2010 at 07:35 PM

I beleave in james Carr if that helps?

Colin - 9-12-2010 at 01:48 PM

....don't really know. I believe in personalities & characteristics. Last time I had a conversation about souls, it was when a roomate told me my dog didn't have a soul because her stupid ancient book told her so. Pissed me off pretty bad, I asked her what her bible had to say about promiscuous women who cheat on my friends. She claimed that was sin which she could repent for, & that my dog not having a soul is a "fact" in her book...