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"Are we "above" other animals?"
No, I don't think so. I don't agree. I think everything has the same worth because whole the Universe has the same beginning. If there are differences between animals (humans are animals as well, of course) it's because an only reason: Evolution.
We're smarter (although I wonder sometimes about that). That's it. You could say we've used our brains for lots of good things. We're the only species with laws against rape and murder. Some of us believe in standing up for the weak and defenseless, even though that goes against the laws of natural selection. We don't have to live by the same rules other animals do.
Of course we're also the only ones who've wanted to nuke each other into oblivion, so these bigger brains of ours are a double-edged sword.
Our made up religions can also cause us to see things in a harmful way. God wouldn't make the planet without enough room and resources for everyone. His creation is perfect, so there's no way things such as overpopulation can ever be a problem. Why even worry about it?
We'd be a pretty pathetic species without our guns out in the wild. Almost anything has a chance of killing and eating us.
I'd say with our bigger brains comes greater responsibility. It's our job to figure out how to co-exist with nature without destroying it. I don't think we're above anything.
On this day of the remembrance of the Holocaust or Yom HaShoa, I do wonder about man and the evil he seems to be able to commit. In history the evil man is capable of is mind boggling.
Is man better then the animal? I would think with the ability to think, reason and choose he would be but on this day I wonder.
Animals are just way, way awesome, in my opinion. I often find myself thinking that I wish God had quit when He finished creating the rest of the animal kingdom. One other thought: When the Bible says we as humans are to have dominion over the animals, I think what it's really doing is giving us a charge to be their guardians. Just as parents have dominion over their children, this comes with a great responsibility and those who abuse that responsibility because of some perceived right they associate with the word "dominion," will be held accountable for their behavior.
I agree totally with what you said here.
"To tend and Keep the garden" and having "dominion" over all life, and MULTIPLY IT OUT...means taking care of the whole...Thus Genesis 9:3 states "I Give You everything"...Now we humans are polluting it, waring over it, and in a nut shell defiling it....To what end?...or begining?
Yes we will be held accountable...So we should start doing the right things now, because we can see that if we continue to pollute, and war, and defile this world with our bent lifestyles....it will eventually affect all life...and when all life dies off...and we destroy the ozone...and all the plants burn up, and all that is left is the last remaining remnants of the human race....Ketchup will be in great demand!...if you get my meaning?
Sadly, our glaring historical failures at even managing our own societal problems means we should not try our hand at managing the other animals on this planet. Too many make the assumption that we are inherently "smarter'. Yes, we have science and historical documentation and the easy ability to consider our future needs, which is not so prevalent in most animals. As well, we're easily corrupted, with individuals predictably making decisions that serve their bank accounts.
Altruism is a missing gene, apparently. "Lesser" animals indeed! That'd be us, in fact.
Based on the way we as homo sapiens treat others of our own species, absolutely not. No other species kills for pleasure, no other species expresses hatred and bigotry based on appearance or color of skin/fur.
No other species kills for pleasure, no other species expresses hatred and bigotry based on appearance or color of skin/fur.
Wrong. Every farmboy knows a fox or coyote will kill far more than it can realistically eat if given the opportunity. The proverbial "fox in the henhouse" scenario is not just made up.
Bigotry and hatred are human concepts so we can't expect animals to feel them, but plenty of them don't like "other colors" either. Put red and black ants together and see what I mean, or look into what happens when a new male lion takes over a pride.
But that is what is so special about human potential. We have a bigger perspective and should be able to suppress negative animalistic tendencies like that. But sadly, humans to be true to their nature more often than not.
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