I would say creatures over animals. The only reason I can think for the reference to humans being labeled as animals is bad behavior.Well humans are animals also, Yes I love Osho and I agree with him on that. Yes we are not made in his image as the human body, we are made in his likeness of Consciousness, because we are truly Consciousness, or the Source, in that way we are made.
But as creatures
I would agree with ( ~ Abdu'l-Baha, Abdu'l-Baha in London, p. 97) as far as not having a mortal soul. ( Mortal.... as being that the human soul can not see spiritual death) Both animals and humans are mortal....both die in the flesh.AJ,
Thanks for your post....
I doubt most would agree that God has raised us (human beings) as "...a god in the flesh". Having a "soul" does not equate as a "god". Having a soul may suggest we have a greater responsibility to our fellow men and also that our role is more to care for the earth and it's creatures rather than pollute and destroy habitats.
I'll share here a few quotes from Baha'i sources:
When asked about the individual persistence of the animal's personality after death, 'Abdu'l-Bahá said: "Even the most developed dog has not the immortal soul of the man; yet the dog is perfect in its own place. You do not quarrel with a rose-tree because it cannot sing!"
~ Abdu'l-Baha, Abdu'l-Baha in London, p. 97
"Until man is born again from the world of nature, that is to say, becomes detached from the world of nature, he is essentially an animal, and it is the teachings of God which converts this animal into a human soul."
~ Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith, p. 289
On the second verse you quoted I can somewhat agree with. I question the following: First the word "detached" co-notates a merited response placing the responsibility of being born again squarely on the individual. My understanding is that we had no choice in being separated in the first place. That responsibility was owed to the creator to remedy.
Secondly, classifying both animals and humans as animals (he is essentially an animal) can not be stated as such because animals cannot differentiate between what is good or evil.
"Created in the image of God" does not rest on the physical but rather on the divine nature of the human spirit. The creation spirit was to ADAM and continued to the offspring. The creation process had as a consequence...separation. No fault of humanity.
Here is where the re-birth, as you quoted, enters.
The question is when was that enabled to happen? The billions of souls who lived and died that had no clue of an existence of God could not have the same opportunity as you and I have today.
Thirdly, "...a god in the flesh" separates us from God.
Blessings, AJ