Did Neanderthals have souls?

[Zzyzx]

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Many Theists seem intent on distinguishing between humans and "the animals" (as though humans were something other than animals) -- often proclaiming that humans have "souls" (which have yet to be shown to exist outside imagination).

Where along the line did humans acquire "souls?"

Did / do other closely related species have "souls?"

[tortured soul]

[Replying to post 6 by Haven]

Oh, so you give up so easily on your search for truth? If you actually took initiative, then you would experience the afterlife. Everything that is created by a person is a subjective experience, for it does not just appear before the eyes. Are you living in a house? Driving a car? These were subjective thoughts made into a material form. If you are so concerned with objective reality, show me a thought or a dream? Since there is no objective reality to a thought, do thoughts really exist?

[DanieltheDragon]

[Replying to post 11 by tortured soul]

I suggest you peruse the rules of the forum. Additionally you might find this thread helpful

http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... php?t=9533

Your post resembles almost a personal ad hominem afront to Haven and also borders on the guidelines against preaching. It is best to stick to the topic and avoid targeting the individual.

If you have questions with regards to anything I am informing you of I would be happy to assist. It is nice to have a variety of view points on this forum and I would be happy to help you with learning the nuances of debate.

[tortured soul]

[Replying to post 12 by DanieltheDragon]

My comment, Daniel, was not a volatile remark, only one which meant to press the investigation to a deeper level of scientific investigation. Searching a few times and having no experience is one thing, but to really exhaust the resources, especially using the tools for that specific research, one may have better results. That is all I was saying. It was not meant to come across mean or abusive. Only a question and a suggestion, but I will try leave off from making suggestions.

[Zzyzx]

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Moderator Clarification

To all concerned / involved, our intent here is to debate issues NOT personalities. Comments directed to other members personally do not contribute substance to debates.

The question for debate is "Did Neanderthals have souls?"

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Moderator clarifications do not count as a strike against any posters. They serve as an acknowledgment that a post report has been received and/or are given at the discretion of a moderator when he or she feels a clarification of the rules is required.

[Elijah John]

[Replying to post 1 by Zzyzx]

Neanderthals are humans so of course they had souls.

I agree, and I also agree with Diana that animals have souls. Especially dogs and cats. After having lived with a succession of wonderful cats most of my life and known some fine dogs I am more convinced than ever that they have souls. Heaven wouldn't be Heaven without them.

[Wootah]

[Replying to post 10 by DanieltheDragon]

You said' They are not Homo Sapiens though Wootah there is a clear distinction between Homo Sapien and Homo Neanderthalensis.'

So whatever distinctions you think there are ....

[Bust Nak]

If you actually took initiative, then you would experience the afterlife. Everything that is created by a person is a subjective experience, for it does not just appear before the eyes. Are you living in a house? Driving a car? These were subjective thoughts made into a material form. If you are so concerned with objective reality, show me a thought or a dream? Since there is no objective reality to a thought, do thoughts really exist?

So I guess that's your way of telling us you don't have photos or video and such physical evidence of your experience?

[Strider324]

tortured soul proposed contrary to biology:

Why did God breath into the nostrils and not into the mouth? The nose is access to the brain...

Huh? Can you in any way support this claim? Centuries of human anatomy hang in the balance....

[Zzyzx]

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Neanderthals are humans so of course they had souls.

According to Christian lore, did God create several different types (sub-species) of humans -- and give them all souls?

That seems a bit inconsistent with the Garden of Eden story unless A&E somehow managed to reproduce some offspring as Neanderthals and some Cro-Magnon and some Homo Sapiens sapiens.

How does that work? Were A&E Homo sapiens or some other Homo sub-species?

This gets confusing, doesn't it? Or is there some pat answer from Christendom?

Or might it make more sense to consider anthropology, biology, genetics information that we now have available (that was not available to bible writers thousands of years ago telling their opinions about gods)?

[Wootah]

[Replying to post 19 by Zzyzx]

Variation in species, even humans, seems quite possible.