I don't believe in souls, but I do believe in spirits. The word 'soul' implies some kind of permanent identity, a purpose, a destiny type thing...which honestly I don't believe in. I take the Buddhist view that everything, people included, is changing constantly... you are NOT the same person as you were 5 years ago... or even yesterday. However, I believe very much in spirits... of both living people, and dead. A spirit is not as rigid a word as 'soul'- to me a spirit is a living entity, a part of us just like our minds and bodies. Therefore it can be manipulated in the same way as our bodies and minds are, possibly even after our senses cease to function.
Call me young and naive, but thats my opinion.