I don't mean pets that can find John 3:16 in a Bible or similar circus tricks.
I mean... we know that many species have complex social behaviour, with apparently rich communication, social ordering, even recreational sex.
So have any animals evolved anything that we would regard as religious behaviour? Do they even gaze up at the stars and wonder? Could we detect even this behaviour if it does happen? If it doesn't happen, why not?
2006-11-04 09:13:20 · 15 answers · asked by wild_eep 6 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
religion requires more complex social structures i think. you need a fairly complex language to have a religious base. religions by design have to explain some complex abstractions -- like how did we get here, what are we doing here, where are we going --
its possible they do that but you have to realize all your above traits in animals many scientists still deny for some psycho reason or another. i have seen boy giraffes banging other boy giraffes but its not recreational sex -- its primal sparring to virtually all scientists but the most liberal and progressive. basically science is pulling itself out of the dark ages one more time and noticing things again -- in 20 yrs they might figure out geese have religion but i doubt its going to happen any time soon. and whats that going to mean for your christmas goose dinner?
2006-11-04 09:35:04 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Praying Mantis
The Lamb Of God
The Piece Of Cod That Passeth Understanding
2006-11-04 09:15:00 · answer #2 · answered by Phish 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋
The problem is, you're thinking of animals but in HUMAN terms - that just isn't going to work.
Even something as relatively simple as a bacteria can "think" in simple terms, so actually debating the issue about higher brain function is a bit null and void unfortunately.
They probably do, but for most of them, they're probably too busy surviving to ponder life...but what do I know? I'm only human, after all. ;)
2006-11-04 22:06:43 · answer #3 · answered by IceDragon 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, some few animals make attempts to bury their dead. I do not know of any ethological study of this and detecting the meaning of the animal behavior we do observe, such as the burial behavior, has not been interpreted in that manner you speak of; at least not to my knowledge. I will ask around.
2006-11-04 09:27:14 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Since I follow Islam I found the following verse from the Quran helpful
Many passages from the Qur'an Majeed and Ahadith state that all animals are endowed with spirit and mind and "…there is ample evidence in the Qur'an Majeed to suggest that animals' consciousness of spirit and mind is of a degree higher than mere instinct and intuition. We are told in the Qur'an Majeed that animals have a cognizance of their Creator and, hence, they pay their obeisance to Him by adoration and worship: Seest thou not that it is Allah Whose praises are celebrated by all beings in the heavens and on earth, and by the birds with extended wings? Each one knows its prayer and psalm, And Allah is aware of what they do. (Qur'an 24:41).
2006-11-04 09:41:29 · answer #5 · answered by Syed R 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Animals have more sense than to invent Gods.
2006-11-04 21:59:44 · answer #6 · answered by steven b 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My Dad used to kick our cat and shout "O my God it/s nicked my dinner again" I used to think the cat was called God.
2006-11-04 09:28:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, if you're a Hindu, you hope you can come back as a cow, so maybe.
2006-11-04 09:15:21 · answer #8 · answered by TrainerMan 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
probably not. but some more sophisticated animals do exhibit superstitious behavior, so it could be possible.
2006-11-04 09:16:53 · answer #9 · answered by Alex M 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A cow certainly is.
2006-11-06 04:39:30 · answer #10 · answered by Siu02rk 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋