Jews did believe in an afterlife - read about Sheol, for example. Not sure where you got that idea from. They thought that death was permanent, but that is a very different thing from thinking there's no afterlife. There are also two Old Testament figures - Enoch and Elijah - who were brought up into heaven. What Jesus taught that was new in this regard is a bodily resurrection.
Also, all animals have souls according to Catholicism, and so do plants. The distinct thing about humans is that we have rational souls. But the soul is the form of any living thing.
Torturing an animal is wrong because it does harm to God's creation for no legitimate purpose. A theist doesn't have any problem explaining this - it's the atheist/materialist who does.
Also, all animals have souls according to Catholicism, and so do plants. The distinct thing about humans is that we have rational souls. But the soul is the form of any living thing.
Torturing an animal is wrong because it does harm to God's creation for no legitimate purpose. A theist doesn't have any problem explaining this - it's the atheist/materialist who does.