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The worth of Animal Life in the eyes of God

Rainbow Mage

Rainbow Mage

Lib Democrat/Agnostic/Epicurean-ish/Buddhist-ish
How likely do you think it is that a divine being would look at animals as somehow less then human beings? I don't think animals are less then people. The life that exists within the human, also exists in the animal, otherwise the animal would not be alive. Which way do you think god is likely to view it? I've heard some say god made us to be above animals. Is this true?
 
Smoke

Smoke

Done here.
Humans are animals.

If there is a Creator God, one could reasonably conclude that God sees animals, including humans, as suitable food for other animals.

Reverence for life is a good thing in my opinion, but it's not seen much in nature.
 
Rainbow Mage

Rainbow Mage

Lib Democrat/Agnostic/Epicurean-ish/Buddhist-ish
Well but then again smoke, we have to question if humans having the level of intelligence to defy our animalistic tendencies, should still hurt other living creatures, having the knowledge that we do to know it harms them? Animals often don't go against their animalistic natures, so there's quite a difference if they behave that way.
 
fallingblood

fallingblood

Agnostic Theist
If we are talking about the Abrahamic God, then he sees them to be subjective to humans.

If there is a god though, I would have to say that he may seem the close to humans or equal. However, that does not say that we shouldn't kill animals as really, it is a must to keep the population manageable.
 
Rainbow Mage

Rainbow Mage

Lib Democrat/Agnostic/Epicurean-ish/Buddhist-ish
Yes, I agree, we're also animals, with animalistic tendencies. My point is our intelligence gives us the ability to realize that our actions harm our fellow living beings, and we can correct it if we wanted to.
 
Rainbow Mage

Rainbow Mage

Lib Democrat/Agnostic/Epicurean-ish/Buddhist-ish
fallingblood said:
If we are talking about the Abrahamic God, then he sees them to be subjective to humans.

If there is a god though, I would have to say that he may seem the close to humans or equal. However, that does not say that we shouldn't kill animals as really, it is a must to keep the population manageable.
Click to expand...

That's certainly your opinion, and I'm not sure all Abrahamics see it like that. Btw, good to see you back Falling Blood :)
 
Smoke

Smoke

Done here.
Senedjem said:
Well but then again smoke, we have to question if humans having the level of intelligence to defy our animalistic tendencies, should still hurt other living creatures, having the knowledge that we do to know it harms them? Animals often don't go against their animalistic natures, so there's quite a difference if they behave that way.
Click to expand...
I didn't say anything directly about the morality of harming other animals. The question concerned God's likely opinion about animal life. It is a fact that animal life includes humans, and it's my opinion that if there is a Creator, his creation doesn't provide any evidence that he has the same reverence for life that we admire in humans.
 
M

Moonstone

inactive
I see us all as equals..none higher than the other. I also think that "god" (whatever you call that higher power) sees it this way as well.
 
R

RomCat

Active Member
If you think animals are equal in God's sight
to human beings then you do not have a clue
who you are.
 
Rainbow Mage

Rainbow Mage

Lib Democrat/Agnostic/Epicurean-ish/Buddhist-ish
Is intelligence an indicator that god favors humans more then? Because I think our intelligence was obtained through evolution. I am a Theistic Evolutionist, so in my view that wouldn't necessarily make humans more precious in the eyes of god then animals.
 
newhope101

newhope101

Active Member
Well as far as the God of the bible I think it remains unclear. Accordling to the good book man was supposed to have eternal life and then death came about because of sin. The punishment did not encompass the death of animals yet at present they do not live forever. One may assume from this that animals always have died. The bible speaks of God knowing each bird by name. There is also mention of a covenant with animals re never causing another flood to drown them. In the begining the vegetation was given to all creatures for food so there was no killing animals for food.

So as my belief in God is bible based I think animals are just as important to God as mankind. However it appears that mankind was the one with the hope for eternal life. Then again I do not believe the bible was meant to give us all the info on everything.
 
Storm

Storm

ThrUU the Looking Glass
Senedjem said:
Is intelligence an indicator that god favors humans more then? Because I think our intelligence was obtained through evolution. I am a Theistic Evolutionist, so in my view that wouldn't necessarily make humans more precious in the eyes of god then animals.
Click to expand...
Who are you asking?
 
Wandered Off

Wandered Off

Sporadic Driveby Member
newhope101 said:
In the begining the vegetation was given to all creatures for food so there was no killing animals for food.
Click to expand...
How different the Bible might have turned out if some fruit-eating worm managed to nibble the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge before Adam. Then it would've been all about them, and eons later they would be creating topics about the worth of human life.
 
Valjean

Valjean

Veteran Member
Premium Member
I'd have to know more about this alleged "divine being" before I could speculate about its values.
 
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