We think we are special because we have the capacity to think, reason, and realize that we are people. This is the Christian explanation of the mind- a soul. Unfortunately, many primate species and dolphins are also self-aware (IE with "theory of mind", self-recognition etc). So either we go to heaven with dolphins or we don't go anywhere. Which sounds more logical to you?
The problems with the answer i think i will get are that they will tell me that animals have no soul, therefore are not affected by the bible. But think of it this way:
How can homosexuality be a sin when there are homosexual animals?
Since gay animals are found in the wild, homosexuality must have some natural (IE genetic) basis. This has been proven through irregular growths in the SDN-POA, Amygdala, and Hypothalamus. So either animals are sinners, or Christians need to retranslate the bible one more time, or something is really off?
2007-03-15 19:13:15 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
You can behave like an animal if you want to. I choose to behave like a son of GOD.
People promote bestiality too. Are we supposed to engage in that because animals and perverts do.
Go ahead and report me i will still express my viewpoints.
2007-03-15 19:16:26 · answer #1 · answered by Tribble Macher 6 · 2⤊ 5⤋
I know what you are talking about, I have seen evidence of the homosexual animals in my cats, my male cats don't care who they go after, male or female. And I agree that there are some animals that recognize themselves. Dolphins and even elephants have been known to recognize their reflection, even their own voices. I've seen in my cats where the male cats know who is their young and who isn't even though they didn't give birth to them or even spend time with them when they were newborns. Animals even have their own language. Just because they can't write doesn't mean that they can't talk. I've been listening to the sounds my cats make and trying to learn what those sounds mean besides just a meow, purr and hiss. I've even attempted mimicking these particular sounds and get the same reaction from the other cats when a cat makes them. So far I've learned the cat phrase for "Come here". Unfortunately these sounds can't exactly be written down, at least in any human language. I think that one reason why some animals do not recognize themselves in a mirror, is because their brain waves are on a different frequency. Their brains either work too slow or fast, most likely fast.
So lets take what we know, 1) Some animals do have self recognition 2) Animals speak in their own language 3) Animals are capable of compassion, i.e. An ape suckling a human baby, a dog suckling a litter of kittens, Animals of all sorts rescuing humans in some way.
However, just because these animals are in a way sentient, they also know their place in nature. They know that they either eat or be eaten. As omnivores we have a choice to either eat mostly veggies, meat or both. The difference between humans and animals as that we seem to have risen above the laws of nature to where we have made our own laws. Other than that we still have our animal instincts although most would rather ignore them and consider them to be sins. We as humans do need to rethink and retranslate the bible and try to understand our place in nature. For even when we become extinct, and our laws lost, the laws of nature will go on as it always has.
2007-03-15 19:47:18 · answer #2 · answered by Cat's Eye Angie 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
You are misunderstanding the term "sentient". Sentient simply possessing sensory organs, and the ability to feel or perceive.
If you are referring to self-awareness or consciousness, the word is "sapient".
Either way, you are going to get the "Christian two-step" about homosexuality--the one where they claim that "homosexuality is against nature" until confronted with proof that homosexuality activity occurs frequently in nature, at which point they switch to the "Humans are not animals, so it's wrong to expect them to act like animals" position.
Also, Christians don't necessary see the mind as the seat of the soul--the two are seperate entities, and the presence of a sapient mind does not equate to having a soul.
Nice try though :)
2007-03-15 19:30:05 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The argument is not whether I or an animal know ourselves, but rather I or an animal knows God. I do not think it is a matter of us leaving and animals getting left behind. The book of Revelation talks of a new heaven and a new earth and God establishing his Kingdom on earth. God is a creator not a destroyer. We are the ones who have destroyed our world both for ourselves and our animal co-habitants. I think all of creation, animals included, can't wait for God to make all things new. On a separate note, nowhere does God command animals to have natural relations. I think my dog growing up was a little lonely and wasn't for certain what a girl was. I wouldn't say he had homosexual sex though because the other male dog was not consenting. My dog was not a sinner.
2007-03-15 20:00:55 · answer #4 · answered by Kuulio 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
More and more the line between our intelligence and that of our fellow inhabitants become blurred. How can anything truly be a sin? There can be no absolute morality, and so it goes with sentience. I think that self-awareness is more a determinant but even that seems to not be as cut and dry as we think. I guess its a good thing that nothing ever develops (evolves) so that our definitions never have to either.
2007-03-15 19:30:08 · answer #5 · answered by Huggles-the-wise 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I always wondered if I really wanted to go to heaven. I mean eternity is for a real long time, what am I going to do all that time? But if there are going to be dolphins, then sign me up!
2007-03-15 19:23:27 · answer #6 · answered by Wisdom in Faith 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When my cat opens a Yahoo! Answers account on his own, then I will believe you.
How can homosexuality be a sin when there are homosexual animals?
Gee, by that rational then a lot of animals eat their young too, should we do that also?
2007-03-15 19:20:16 · answer #7 · answered by Last Ent Wife (RCIA) 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The Bible was written by men a LONG time ago. I have seen homosexual horses & dogs Elephants recognize their dead. E-mail me if you want to talk further.
2007-03-15 19:28:05 · answer #8 · answered by shermynewstart 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
>>How can homosexuality be a sin when there are homosexual animals?<<
Animals don't have the use of reason. They also engage in adult-juvenile sexual activity. Is that something therefore acceptable for humans?
2007-03-15 19:20:14 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
I agree that dolphins and primates are sentient. some workstation courses quickly will be as well. To me, it sounds more advantageous logical that we do not flow everywhere. it really is both that, or there'll be pcs in the afterlife with us. Did Jesus come to save my workstation? i don't believe of so.
2016-11-25 23:21:43 · answer #10 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it's also sapience that Christians consider part of the soul...
2007-03-15 19:21:18 · answer #11 · answered by ZER0 C00L ••AM••VT•• 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋