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Do Humans Have a Spirit or Soul?

by Ron Kurtus (25 July 2001)

Humans possess a physical body and a mind that establishes their consciousness and perception of reality. Most people through the ages have believed that humans also possess a spiritual sense or soul of some sort. Although there are indications that humans have a spiritual aspect, it is something that probably cannot be proven.

Questions you may have include:

• What are the viewpoints on the human spirit?
• What are the indications that a soul exists?
• Why can't we prove we have a soul?

This lesson will answer those questions. There is a mini-quiz near the end of the lesson.

Note: This is an educational website. We are not promoting any one religion.

What is a soul?

People in cultures throughout the ages have felt that there is some sort of spiritual essence in humans that goes beyond the physical body and mind. That spiritual essence is usually called the soul.

Different views

While most agree that people have individual spirits or souls, others believe that your soul is part of a larger, universal soul. Some native tribes feel that even inanimate objects—such as rocks, the wind, or the sun—have souls. Other groups feel that animals also have souls.

The soul also seems to be part of, or related to, a larger spiritual force. That larger force or spirit is usually called God. Some religions say that we are God. Others look at a supreme spiritual force as Mother Nature. Still other groups—like the ancient Greeks and Romans—have many gods for different occasions.

Difference in Old and New Testaments

The concept of the soul is different in the Jewish Bible Old Testament than in the Christian New Testament.

The Hebrew word for soul occurs some 700 times in the Old Testament, but often it is used as a similar word for person (i.e. "He was a hearty soul."). Some passages imply that the living body is a soul.

The Greek word for soul is used 100 times in the New Testament. That usage is more aligned to the Greek—and the modern—idea of a soul as separate from the body.

Indications of a soul

Almost everyone feels there is "something else" about them besides their body and mind.

For those who believe the soul is a distinct spiritual essence, the question arises as to when a person gets a soul or when the physical body is assigned a soul.

Members of many religions believe that a person gains a soul at the moment of conception. This seems like a logical starting point, but it also defines a simple fertilized egg as a human being.

On the other hand, other groups believe that a fetus doesn't become a person or have a soul until birth. This idea also has its validity.

Is there some other possible time when the body and soul meet?

Efforts to prove a soul exists

Whether a person's body gains a soul at conception, at birth, or at some other time, there must be some sort of mechanism involved. What happens? Is a spirit suddenly created due to some human life-related occurrence? Or does a soul exist already and is simply absorbed into the human body?

It is even possible that a person exists as a spirit before the soul is assigned to a human body, and animal or even an object.

Where is the soul located?

If a person's soul only exists within his or her body, then the issue of when the person actually gets the soul is important. On the other hand, if the soul is everywhere and is simply assigned a person's body the timing may not be as relevant.

Does the soul relate to the brain?

Since the fate of the soul in many religions depends on the behavior of the person, is it related to the brain? In other words, whether a person is good or bad, believes or doesn't, is controlled by that person's thinking and brain. Whether he or she goes to Heaven then depends on the person's thoughts. In such a situation, it would seem that the soul is related to the brain.

Following this logic, if the soul is related to the brain, the soul would develop as the brain develops in an infant. Does the soul change? Can it affect a person's decisions in life?

Summary

Most people have a feeling that we all have a soul of one form or another. Philosophers have speculated on this over the centuries. Holy books give their religion's versions of what the soul is. Since there has been no "hard proof" of people having a soul, there will always be differences on this subject.

Answers to Readers' Questions

Be open-minded and have high character

Resources

The following are some resources on this topic.

Websites

Religion Resources

Books

Top-rated books on Religion

Miscellaneous

Mini-quiz to check your understanding

1. Why are there different views on the nature of a soul?

2. What is an indication that a person has a soul?

3. When does the body receive a soul?

If you got all three correct, you are on your way to becoming a champion in understanding Religion. If you had problems, you had better look over the material again.

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Do Humans Have a Spirit or Soul?