Life. It is a breath from God; it is eternal. We should treate is as sacred.
Our existenceis not just a soul; it is bodysoul. That is our created state. We are not angels (spirits). Our "natural" state is animated clay. That's why the saved and condemned get new bodies at the end. That's why souls of the departed are considered in discomfort even if they have been saved. That's why the Orthodox Church conducts panikhidas (memorials), offering prayers that may sooth their seperated state while they wait for their ne bodies.
Even the souls of the damned live, and even they shall be resurrected to be bodysouls again. Yet, they shall live in eternal separation from God. Sometimes life is not life.
This is my understanding, too, dear kosta50: Separation from God is not life.
The breath of god is, of course, a metaphor.. and can easily be a superstitious canard.. No science can currently define "life"..
Who says human are essentially not angels?.. Maybe fallen angels thats seen the error of their ways(following Satan) and wanting a second chance.. as the spirit of a human.. You know, like the metaphor of the prodigal son suggests, seen in another light.. Prompting the book of GENESIS..