What Is The Purpose Of A Soul?

[Nirvana-Eld]

This is not one of those vague "meaning of life" quesiotns (at least I hope it isn't) But it is something I have never seen discussed or debated so i think it would be interesting. Anyone want to try and tackle this one?

[Sender]

The soul has no purpose.

The idea of soul has a purpose or else various streams of humanity would not have invented it and clung to it for so long. The fact that it cannot be shown that there is a soul or that the idea of having a soul has never been validated, shows that there really must be some social, historical or psychological value in the idea of soul.

So obviously from what you are saying you believe in no afterlife at all?

[McCulloch]

The soul has no purpose.

The idea of soul has a purpose or else various streams of humanity would not have invented it and clung to it for so long. The fact that it cannot be shown that there is a soul or that the idea of having a soul has never been validated, shows that there really must be some social, historical or psychological value in the idea of soul.

So obviously from what you are saying you believe in no afterlife at all?

Yes. But since one-liners are against the rules, I must elaborate. There is no objective unambiguous evidence in an afterlife. The evidence that has been presented is often contradictory to other alleged evidence to an afterlife. There seems to be no evolutionary or biological purpose to an afterlife. There does seem to be valid psychological and sociological reasons for the development of the belief in an afterlife: religious ethical moral control; fear of death etc. So the belief can be readily explained.
So, I would have to conclude that the entire burden of proof lies with those who claim that there is an afterlife.

[QED]

Anyone here seen this Afterlife that people talk about so much? Everything that I've seen die has stayed dead (so far that is). All life is based on the same organic chemistry and like the apple in my fruit-bowl has a best before date.

[BeHereNow]

McCulloch: The fact that it cannot be shown that there is a soul or that the idea of having a soul has never been validated, shows that there really must be some social, historical or psychological value in the idea of soul.

Is this along the lines of explaining the purpose of unicorns? The idea of unicorns have existed since OT times.
It is true that most people see unicorns as mythological, and that most people see the soul as, not mythological, but still the idea has persisted, so does this show purpose to unicorns or purpose to the idea of unicorns?

Similarly, is it the soul which has purpose, or the idea of a soul?
Can we agree these are two different things?

[McCulloch]

Is this along the lines of explaining the purpose of unicorns? The idea of unicorns have existed since OT times.
It is true that most people see unicorns as mythological, and that most people see the soul as, not mythological, but still the idea has persisted, so does this show purpose to unicorns or purpose to the idea of unicorns?

Similarly, is it the soul which has purpose, or the idea of a soul?
Can we agree these are two different things?

You are absolutely correct. They are two different things: the idea of a soul, which seems to serve some sociological or psychological purpose and the soul which seems to not exist in any real way.

[Nirvana-Eld]

To clarify something that will help answer my question. By soul I mean what is believed to go on. That which every religion can agree that makes humans special and that has a life after our bodies rot. I hope that helped clear up my initial question.

[bernee51]

To clarify something that will help answer my question. By soul I mean what is believed to go on. That which every religion can agree that makes humans special and that has a life after our bodies rot. I hope that helped clear up my initial question.

Thanks for the clarification. My previous answer stands. I do not believe in a soul with that characteristic.

[Sender]

The soul has no purpose.

The idea of soul has a purpose or else various streams of humanity would not have invented it and clung to it for so long. The fact that it cannot be shown that there is a soul or that the idea of having a soul has never been validated, shows that there really must be some social, historical or psychological value in the idea of soul.

So obviously from what you are saying you believe in no afterlife at all?

Yes. But since one-liners are against the rules, I must elaborate. There is no objective unambiguous evidence in an afterlife. The evidence that has been presented is often contradictory to other alleged evidence to an afterlife. There seems to be no evolutionary or biological purpose to an afterlife. There does seem to be valid psychological and sociological reasons for the development of the belief in an afterlife: religious ethical moral control; fear of death etc. So the belief can be readily explained.
So, I would have to conclude that the entire burden of proof lies with those who claim that there is an afterlife.

That's BS. A Christian if they feel lead, is supposed to tell others about God. As far as proving an afterlife, we don't have to do that. You'll just find out on your own when you die and you rot in hell because you didn't accept Jesus as Lord. It is not our problem if you don't believe, that is on you and you only.

[bernee51]

That's BS.

Tsk tsk.

A Christian if they feel lead, is supposed to tell others about God.

And if they feel gold, mercury, iron or any one of the other elements they are meant to keep quite about it.

As far as proving an afterlife, we don't have to do that.

Don't have to - and can't.

You'll just find out on your own when you die and you rot in hell because you didn't accept Jesus as Lord.

Because you say so?

[Sender]

That's BS.

Tsk tsk.

A Christian if they feel lead, is supposed to tell others about God.

And if they feel gold, mercury, iron or any one of the other elements they are meant to keep quite about it.

As far as proving an afterlife, we don't have to do that.

Don't have to - and can't.

You'll just find out on your own when you die and you rot in hell because you didn't accept Jesus as Lord.

Because you say so?

You will find out on your own. Your little one line answers I thought was considered trolling. You should put a little thought in your answers, then maybe we will start repsecting you, but not until then. You are looked at as the village idiot.