Christians lack observation skills of the natural world and it's workings?

Question

Also: why do animals suffer? What is the meaning behind the suffering of animals, why didn't God make everything else completely non-sentient if all they are here for is for our consumption and entertainment? What real purpose does everything on earth serve if it has a "life" of it's own and can think and feel?
If everything on earth is to serve man, isn't that the most egotistical and self-absorbed mindset?
Why would anyone care to be a "good steward" if the earth is all going to die when we go anyway? And is that just wishful thinking?

Answer 1

Dear Jane J-
When some one starts a sentence that infers "all Christians" do this or that or think this, it is already a moot point. You cannot label me, you do not know me.

I would suggest that you study the bible for yourself, in order to be able to know what God said, did, created, covenanted, judged, allowed, assigned etc...

Who's ego are you talking about? Man did not say I am over all, he was assigned that position from the One who created him.

Sincerely, Redeemed

Answer 2

> Christians lack observation skills of the natural world and it's >workings?
Can you illustrate this point please? What are you actually using as the basis for this point?

> Also: why do animals suffer?
Because they feel pain like all living creatures. They feel.

> What is the meaning behind the suffering of animals, why didn't >God make everything else completely non-sentient if all they are >here for is for our consumption and entertainment?
There is no specific meaning beyond the fact that a suffering animal has an injury or illness, or is being maltreated perhaps.

>What real purpose does everything on earth serve if it has a >"life" of it's own and can think and feel?
There is no more purpose beyond the existence of life that I can think of here. I can't slot in religious belief to replace an answer I do not have. Some people can perhaps.

> If everything on earth is to serve man, isn't that the most >egotistical and self-absorbed mindset?
Since I'm not in possession of a bible to check your assertation, I can't verify your statement. If true, then you are right. It IS self-absorbed and egotistical. And very wrong.

>Why would anyone care to be a "good steward" if the earth is all >going to die when we go anyway?
For no other reason than the sake of our kids, and generations further down in the future, and the lives of the other living beings on the planet.

>And is that just wishful thinking?
This made no sense.

Answer 3

Technically it all is completely non-sentient, as sentience is usually described at something that is or isn't, not as a gradient. (With the possible exceptions of dolphins or bonobos, the only other species that digg sex for fun, and thus are truly inteligent)

Really though, "thinking" has hardly been demonstrated among the animal world, as has self awareness. And of course, we have yet to receive evidence of any kind the depth of thinking that humans experience (i.e. "Thinking about thinking")

There is of course the non-fundimentalist-creationist answer that animals were part of the process to create humanity through the process of evolution and part of a divine plan... Or the fundimantalist answer that we screwed over EVERYONE with that damn fruit.

But of course, saying everything on earth is to serve man isn't necisarily egotistical, just practical, as man has the power to manipulate creatures to serve them, while these creatures for the most part have the inability to utilize modern man. I mean technically if we can fill just about every existing niche, and do away with other niches to make room for the niches that we like, then biologically it's in our nature to kill off everything else and eat each other (and sea animals) to survive. I actually find it rather curious that humans are so intent on preserving species, and it seems to be common among all people that are socially acceptable (pochers are criminals, and locals who live among endangered species are commonly recruited for conservation efforts on their land with little effort). I'm not exactly sure whether this is due to an indoctrinisation of society from various religous/spiritual thought that claims us superior, or whether it'd due to some preservation instinct for anything that could possibly be used at a later date, but it seems we are drawn to act as stewards when we realize the concequences of our actions regardless.

Answer 4

several good questions there.
It seems that most people lack observation skills, not just the religious.
The rest of your questions take a bit oif thought. Pain serves the purpose of living things that something is wrong. Kind of like operator's alarms on machinery. Non sentient creatures would not survive, trhey would be too easy as prey. The purpose of life and everything is beyond me. The apocalyptic mindset is terrifying in the wasting of the world it promotes.

Answer 5

Wow! So many questions! Is that fair? :)
I am not Christian, but I will have to say that you are wrong in saying all Christians like observation skills of the natural world...many of the greatest conservationists and natural scientists have been Christians...John Muir, Ansell Adams, Teddy Roosevelt, etc.
I also don't think the majority of Christians believe that everything here on earth is for our pleasure and enjoyment without the responbility to take care of it. True, there are some who think like that, but there are people of other religious persuasions who think that same way also...it isn't all Christian folk...it has more to do with your ecological mindset than your religious one. I am not sure what to make of your statement that "the earth is all going to die when we go"...if you are talking about the 'end times', well, no one knows when that will be, so the duty is to the future generations. Animals 'suffer' in a completely different way than we do, as they 'think' completely different. They may suffer physically, but not morally or emotionally as we do. Do not worry about anyone else. Act yourself in a morally and ecologically responsible manner. That is all any of us is required to do.

Answer 6

I believe that animals evolved, and that, sentient or not, they are entitled to our respect. Everything serves a purpose, and it is not necessarily our purpose. Bees pollinate flowers, but we think that they are there to produce honey for us. It is a self-centered mindset but it cannot be helped. We are omnivores, and higher up on the food chain than most animals, and capable of thinking about this and wondering whether or not it is morally right. The fact that we think about this leads me to believe that we are good stewards for the most part. We do the best we can.

Answer 7

I am so depressed now. Geez, lady, tomorrow is New years eve and now I am all punked out because of the animals. Look someone has to take care of the critters, do what you can and I'll do what I can. Why do children suffer? Again, do what you can to make the world a better place. Help the down trodden and hungry. Trust in the Lord and you'll be a happier person.

Answer 8

Christians can say the same thing about non-believers lacking observation skills. The Bible points out that man can clearly see the majesty of God by studying His creation.
The point is that there is a difference of opinion on the universe that we live in and how it was established. I respect the world that I live in and the creatures on it. I believe that God would want us to treat His creation with respect.

Answer 9

The scriptures say that Man will destroy the earth, EXCEPT that Jesus Christ intervenes. He sets the world aright and corrects all the things that are wrong.... all the things that Satan has tried to destroy in creation.

We do not lack observation skills at all. In fact, when we look around at the natural world, and its workings, we are convinced even more that God not only exists, but that He was the one Who created the world upon which we reside.

Answer 10

I agree about your animal statement. If animals were just to eat, why would God make them suffer in death for us, especially when we can eat adequately without eating them? And what about the factory farms in the US? People don't like to think about the horrible lives our national livestock lead.