Is my Rat God your God too?

Question

For the sake of argument, let us assume I am a rat masquerading as a human. I am puzzled with human behavior. What morality allows humans to feel they are divine above all other creatures? Is it not simply that they wish to justify their abuse of power? There is an old saying that "might is right." Is this the justification underlying humans rationalization for their poor behavior toward other species.

I have no doubt many will justify their behavior because of religious beliefs, but I find that a convenient answer bereft of true introspection.


What is different than the God of rats declaring humans insignificant, exploitable and without souls. That view is evidenced in much of rat behavior. We take what we can get, not unlike humans. Do we not have the same God?

For those tethered to literal reality, I am not really a rat, at least not in the physical sense. Undoubtedly my question will inspire some of you to think of me as a rat in a figurative way.

Answer 1

Well I will be the first one to admit that humans, under the pretext of being in God’s image, have grossly misused their power to devour land, destroy habitats, and behave in an unduly harsh manner towards other animals. I don’t think being intellectually superior to other animals, in and of itself, should allow us to arrogate to ourselves the moral prerogative of doing with them what we please. After all, we can easily take the reductio ad absurdum of this argument to show how potentially destructive this logic could be. For example, there are different levels of intelligence among groups of people. Does the high intellectual aptitude of some groups, therefore in and of itself mean that the “superior” group has the right to enslave the mentally “lesser” group. Most people, who like to call themselves moral, would disagree vehemently to such a suggestion. I think we should apply the same standards of fairness to animals as well.

The destruction of animal life should only be done for reasons of sustenance or self-defense. Philosophers, scientists, theologians, and historians have always distinguished man not only by his intellectual ability, in relation to animals, but also, and most importantly, on his moral awareness. Let us live up to the distinction of being morally aware by behaving morally, and that is towards other people, and other non-human living things.

Answer 2

Rats do not need to ask such questions because rats do not have the insecurities that humans have. Rats are what Rats are and do not question it and everything else.

It's only humans that have a hard time with their own existence.

Some wonder where we all come from and some wonder where they will go when it's all said and done. But it doesn't matter to me for I shall let the mystery be.

No Go Play and Have Fun.

Answer 3

It is a good argument yet I think many religious people would disagree. If all creatures are created by god, why do some creatures so readily punish other creatures by ending their lives? Where do the souls of the victims go and how are they being judged by god?

Answer 4

I can answer that without going into religion...men are above animals because man can think, talk, come up with new ideas, ect.

Animals have been humans food source since the beginning of time, why don't you ask the Neanderthals why they felt above the animals they ate.

Answer 5

Actually you make some nice points here.
I am not one who thinks humans are somewhere between angels and critters.
I don't think we have any God given right to take any more from the animals than we actually need in order to be healthy.
But if the animals are sacred, so are we.

Answer 6

Firstly, whatever we humans think we know of God, its probably wrong.
Secondly, human beings are entitled to be human beings rats are entitled to be rats.
Thirdly, I don't like carrots
Finally, God will achieve exactly what he intends to achieve....your introspection here is obviously a part of that...and there are three of them....(refer to my first point)

Answer 7

One can not abuse power, they can only abuse those without it. Morality? Simple....I'm smarter than my food. Find a sapient cow, or a rat in your case, then you might have an argument for equal treatment.

Answer 8

Most humans simply run away from rats. Rats have more to fear from cats, dogs, and owls. Shall we judge the morality of cats, dogs, and owls?

Answer 9

RAT POISEN... KILL IT... EEEEEEE.... KILL IT... UP ON A TABLE, GET THE BROOM... KILL IT

SNAP.... AWWWW.... STUPID RAT..

JUST KIDDING...

I DONT KILL ANYTHING... I ACTUALLY TRY AND LET THINGS GO IN THE WOODS IF I CATCH THEM... BUT IT IS DANGEROUS IF YOU GET BITTEN BY ONE THIS IS THE REASON PEOPLE KILL THEM..

I AM SURE WE HAVE THE SAME GOD, BUT WE GET KILLED BY BIGGER THINGS TOO... DO WHALES, SHARKS, SNACKS NOT USE HARM WHEN IN THERE SPACE... YES THAT IS THE WAY OF LIFE...

RATS DO THE SAME THING WE DO, LIVE AND TRY NOT TO DIE BY GODS OTHER CREATURES IN THE FOOD CHAIN AND THE POWER SCEEM

Answer 10

Everyone is different so we each view god differently. Not all people believe that their better than everything and i think you making that kind of statement is ignoring alot of things.