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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]We know that Neanderthal people were intelligent social beings, and that they co-existed (and bred) with modern humans before we rode them to extinction.  They also had death rituals, suggesting some sense of incipient spirituality. Questions: for those religions like Christianity that believe animals don't have souls, did Neanderthal have souls?  Does the fact that they bred with us change that?

And, if they still exist today, would they be considered humans or animals, from both a religious and non-religious perspective?[/quote]

I think Neanderthals are going to be reclassified as humans very soon.  I think the assumption that they are a different species is incorrect.  It may be another erroneous assumption that "we rode them to extinction."  The view on this is changing rapidly; since the company 23 and Me sequenced their genome in 2014 and we realized that our genes are intermingled.

FYI if you have European or Asian roots, you likely have some Neanderthal genes.  If you take the 23 and Me test, (23andme.com) you will get that info.  I'm eastern European, and came back 3.2% Neanderthal.  Once on the 23 and Me website, you'll have access to the community boards, and there is a ton of info on the latest articles on Neanderthals (and, while we're at it, Denisovans, another hominid cousin of ours).

So, for purposes of your question, if we take your base assumption that humans have souls and animals don't, then I'd believe Neanderthals did….and still do!  Because I think what you are asking really is "are Neanderthals humans" and to this I'd say yes.  I think the interjection of the "soul" part of your question is a bit of a red herring.[/quote]

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