Don't only human beings have a soul?
There are some people who believe in the
view that only human beings are made "in the image of
God" and that only humans have souls. Although I personally
do not agree with this view, this view is held by some
vegans and animal rights activists. Vegans with this
view would point out that regardless of whether or not animals
possess a soul, animals still feel pain and suffering just as we
do, and animals still value their lives just as we value ours.
Therefore, many of the people who believe that only humans have
souls still agree with the principle that it is wrong to inflict
death and suffering on animals simply for the pleasure of tasting
meat.
Although it is possible to believe in animal rights while still adhering to the view that only humans have souls, I would like to point out what the major world religions actually say on this topic.
According to the Bible, the Torah, and the Quran, a soul is required to be able to make moral decisions, and a soul is required to be able to know the difference between good and evil.
And according to modern science, we now know that other animals do know right from wrong. In fact, they sometimes know it much better than we humans do.
Follow up question:
What evidence is there that other animals can make moral decisions?