I have heard some Christians say that the line that separates man and beast is having a conscience.
I don't necessarily agree that animals don't have a conscience, or that humans aren't animals.
For example: Has your dog ever scattered the contents of your trashcan throughout the house, and then act as if they feel guilt and remorse when you come home?
I love hearing different opinions, so tell me yours. What qualifies as having a conscience?
Are humans the only ones who have one?
2007-05-02 18:23:01 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
A idea of a conscience, like the concept of morality in general, is a set of learned behaviors, nothing more. The thought that humans or animals are born with a conscience is absurd.
I think your example of the dog with the trashcan is flawed. Think back to the first time it happened: the dog was probably punished and now expects a punishment for performing a similar action. It's simply conditioning.
2007-05-02 18:40:07 · answer #1 · answered by Duke 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
God gives us a conscience as an alarm when we do wrong. I don't think that's what separates us from animals because they seem to have one, too, like you said. I'm not sure it is as sophisticated as the human conscience, though. Or, perhaps, with domestic animals, it's just behavioral science......they learn certain behaviors have certain consequences and learn to dread those consequences rather than feel guilty about the behavior. That would make more sense because man's conscience serves to bring him to repentance, which in turn brings him to God for forgiveness. I guess I'm just thinking out loud, but, I'm gonna stay around and see what others say. Good question. Peace to you.
2007-05-03 01:36:59 · answer #2 · answered by Joyful Noise 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Usually animals act in this manner when it has been repeated in the past and he has been corrected. If it was the first offence for the animal you would not see that response you mentioned. After repeated offences the animal would not be feeing sorry for what he did, but that he knows from experience that he will be scolded. There is a difference.
Having a consience means that you understand right from wrong and "feel" bad when you do something you know is wrong.
2007-05-03 10:40:05 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Conscience is the accumulation of all your experiences and knowledge. Conscience can be "trained" by learning a specific set of values.
In a "anything goes" lifestyle, theft or lying is not a big deal.
A Bible trained conscience though would see this as wrong. To develope this involves not just reciting phrases, but getting them into your mind by understanding them. Then it will be in your heart.
2007-05-03 14:25:14 · answer #4 · answered by grnlow 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In order for our conscience to be really effective, it must be trained by God. Reading the Bible daily, praying for holy spirit to help you understand and meditating on the things you have read and understood, all help to train the conscience. The conscience can also be deadened by acting in ways that are against God. A person who steals, lies, cheats, etc. will eventually not even feel bad about doing those things. He will have hardened his conscience.
2007-05-03 03:06:01 · answer #5 · answered by Sparkle1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your conscience (con=with, science=knowledge) is the gift that God gave every man to let them know the difference between right and wrong. Believers and unbelievers will frequently agree on some very basic level about right and wrong. Murder=wrong. Rape=wrong. Etc.
Thus the conscience is one proof of God's existence.
Take the test below to see if you can pass.
~Neeva
2007-05-03 01:28:29 · answer #6 · answered by Neeva C 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it is tremendously arrogant for people to assume that animals don't think. We have no clue. As to conscience - for me it is a mental distinction between right and wrong. It is an imprecise mental aspect, as often times the things I do that seem right bring pain and distress to myself and others, and things that seem a little bit wrong turn out bringing good.
2007-05-03 01:28:51 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Word of God says that we were made in God's own image. It also states that man(we) were given dominion over the beast of the earth. We are in no means on the same level. God never meant for us to be. May God Bless U.
2007-05-03 01:29:25 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Consience!
"Being aware"
Who said Humans are'nt animals(mamals)
I'm glad you said "Some Christians"
Hey!
If everyone in Government had a consience,,,,,
"WOW!'
Can you imagine?
"Keep dreaming"
They don't have a consience!
2007-05-03 01:36:12 · answer #9 · answered by kudo452 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It means I can't do whatever I want anymore... but it ends up being more pleasurable this way anyway.
2007-05-03 01:26:36 · answer #10 · answered by manna eater 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋