When does a baby get a soul? (church, prophecies, atheist)

[Miss Blue]

I haven't made my mind up yet, but at this point, I have to say with its first breath, since I believe that Adam received his soul when God breathed the breath of life into him. I think God wants us to ponder some things. I always feel close when I do. Maybe thats why some things were not explained to us in the bible, so that we could spend time thinking about his wisdom and love, the glory, wonder and beauty of his creation.

[weatherologist]

Originally Posted by blue62

... I think God wants us to ponder some things. I always feel close when I do. Maybe thats why some things were not explained to us in the bible, so that we could spend time thinking about his wisdom and love, the glory, wonder and beauty of his creation.

Gosh, Blue, that's simply beautiful!!!

[lorelei2873]

I don't look at a soul as a thing that is created or destroyed. I believe a soul is present before it enters a body and will continue to be present once the body dies. That's why I'm not against abortion. I'm not for it either. No one is. I just personally believe it's a moot point. I believe the body is just the vehicle for the soul, not the thing that creates or destroys it.

[I LOVE NORTH CAROLINA]

Deuteronomy 29:29 "There are secret thing that belong to the Lord our God but the reveled things belong to us and our descendants forever so that we may obey these words of the law". There are some secrets God has chosen not to reveal to us.

[kaykay]

Originally Posted by I LOVE NORTH CAROLINA

Deuteronomy 29:29 "There are secret thing that belong to the Lord our God but the reveled things belong to us and our descendants forever so that we may obey these words of the law". There are some secrets God has chosen not to reveal to us.

I love this scripture, ILNC. Not very many people are familiar with it, and it applies to so much.

[weatherologist]

Originally Posted by lorelei2873

I don't look at a soul as a thing that is created or destroyed. I believe a soul is present before it enters a body and will continue to be present once the body dies. That's why I'm not against abortion. I believe the body is just the vehicle for the soul, not the thing that creates or destroys it.

I agree completely that abortion does not kill the soul, just the life that the soul could have had on earth. Again, let me say that until I miscarried I never gave this much thought. I, personally believe that abortion is wrong, always have, however, I believe that it is a woman's right to choose. But after my miscarriage, I did start to consider that after an abortion, the soul returns to God. And if that is the case, that one day, the mothers, the fathers, the doctors, every individual who took part in that abortion, might meet that soul in heaven. And I wonder how that will feel...

[beth ann]

Originally Posted by weatherologist

I agree completely that abortion does not kill the soul, just the life that the soul could have had on earth. Again, let me say that until I miscarried I never gave this much thought. I, personally believe that abortion is wrong, always have, however, I believe that it is a woman's right to choose. But after my miscarriage, I did start to consider that after an abortion, the soul returns to God. And if that is the case, that one day, the mothers, the fathers, the doctors, every individual who took part in that abortion, might meet that soul in heaven. And I wonder how that will feel...

I must say, I'm really surprised at this response, weather.

You've read my testimony, but I can't find yours in the Testimony thread.

I know you're a fellow catholic, weather.....but, I must clarify what the church teaches verses what is your opinion, so that others here will not be confused.

I believe, and the catholic church teaches that life begins at conception. God is our creator and all human life is sacred, born and unborn. Every human person has dignity due to the fact that God created us in His image and likeness.

Therefore, the church has a teching regarding the sanctity of human life. The encyclical "Humanae Vitae" (On Human Life) explains it in great detail. We, as catholics are called to stand up in defense of human life and to protect the most vulnerable in our society.

It is not catholic teaching to say "I'm personally against aborton....but, I'm pro-choice"...(unless you're Ted Kennedy....or John Kerry...). I know that you persoanlly may have that opinion, but it is not consistent withthe church's teaching whatsoever. I have personal experience with both abortion and miscarriage. I can tell you that abortion is rarely a "choice" and that death is never a good choice (for baby or for mother).

Also, the church does not embrace reincarnation. There is one soul per person, for all of eternity, period. If that person dies, of course the soul lives on in the afterlife but it is not deposited into another human being.

I don't mean to offend you....I just think it's important to make distinctions between what is church teaching and what is personal opinion.

[weatherologist]

Originally Posted by beth ann

I must say, I'm really surprised at this response, weather.

You've read my testimony, but I can't find yours in the Testimony thread.

I don't mean to offend you....I just think it's important to make distinctions between what is church teaching and what is personal opinion.

That is fine, beth ann, you do not offend me. I knew that when I put it out there, it would come under fire. That is why I stated that it was my personal belief. I know that it goes against Church teachings, but I appreciate you clarifying that for the other readers. I would not want them to assume that because I was Catholic (as I am proud to be), that somehow the Catholic Church had changed it's stance on this.

I will try to find my testimony, as I will also look for yours. If I have read it, at the moment it is not in my memory. This is much later than I usually stay up and I am fading...

God Bless us ALL...

[weatherologist]

Originally Posted by beth ann

You've read my testimony, but I can't find yours in the Testimony thread.

Testimonies of how God reveals himself, page 5

[lorelei2873]

Why would someone assume that what someone states is supposed to be an exact statement of what a church teaches?

I think we all know that everyone is providing either their own opinion or their understanding of what the church teaches.

Also if we want to know what our own church teaches, we should ask our minister or priest, not try to glean the truth from an internet forum.

Also, while the Catholic church does not believe in reincarnation, some non-Catholic churches do believe in pre-existence without reincarnation. The sould does not always have to be embodied in the physical form, according to some faiths. For example, the Mormon church has a doctorine of pre-existence. I doubt they'd agree with my personal belief on the mootness of abortion though! There is also some debate about pre-existence in the Jewish faith.