Assuming your perception of God is creator and ruler of the earth/universe, are humans more important to God than other species in nature, past or present? Why or why not?
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Are Humans More Important to God?
- Thread starter SalixIncendium
- Start date
Unveiled Artist
Veteran Member
Following that assumption, no. I'm more of an egalitarian so I don't see hierarchy but equal distribution, if one likes. So, god is equal to humans, to animals, to the living, everything is natural and come from natural causes and means.
In my opinion, god isn't separate from the universe and not a creator. But if he was, I don't see how being a creator should be greater than creation. Unless one is a deist, if a creator has interaction with humans I'd assume it wouldn't put itself over them.
It seems to me people tend to answer that question based on their individual inclinations and the culture they come from. Many Native American peoples thought of the "animal nations" (species) as brothers to humans. They were not higher or lower, just different. Most Westerners seem to feel humans are special in the eyes of their god, although that might be changing.
Spirit of Light
Be who ever you want
Human beings are in my understanding the only species on our planet that are able to cultivate a spiritual teaching and by that realize enlightenment, in this setting yes human beings are more "important" to save for a God. But actually we are on the lower end of the scale of beings. Physical world is low on the scale of lifeforms
I don't have any such perceptions, even allowing for some creator, and given the propensity for so many other species to have gone extinct, I hardly see why we might be so important - and allowing for life other than on Earth.
BSM1
What? Me worry?
Might like to ask that of nature?
Iymus
Active Member
Concerning terrestrial that seems to be the case. I measure value based off responsibilities one has based on power and/or position. Our position does seem greater than other types of flesh, based off our ability to collectively Terraform environments on a massive scale. That responsibility also comes with blessings and/or accountability at some point.
BSM1
What? Me worry?
Obviously man has to answer for nature because nature has no voice; nor does 'nature' even care one way or another. Are you saying 'nature' is a sentient being with a mind of it's own?
Well nature will exist with or without humans - unless one has the view that such was created for humans - such that nature can answer for itself (for existing). Is all of nature accountable to some god? We (some) presume to answer for nature. No idea how sentient nature is, apart from the many species that seem to share so much with humans.
BSM1
What? Me worry?
What exactly does this mean? Apart from some preconceived ideas about existence, that is. We evolved from nature (as well as being part of such), so why wouldn't we, and any supposed god, not appreciate nature as much as humans?
BSM1
What? Me worry?
Again, you are making my point (and still dodging the question). There would be absolutely no rhyme or reason for 'nature' without an observer, i.e., man. Prove me wrong.
Thief
Rogue Theologian
we do seem able to .....look up
animals don't seem to have the ability to consider Something Greater
I don't need to. This only comes from a human perspective - as if the point of nature was just to produce humans. But if you saw it differently then you would acknowledge that this could be said for any species that rose to distinction. We just happen to be the one holding the can (at present) - with many others dying out before they could come to prominence. What is the point of humans - unless coming from a religious perspective? The answer is none - just as per all of nature - it just happens. And this is one of my gripes against religions - the separation from nature in so many.
BSM1
What? Me worry?
"...only comes from a human perspective..."??? What other perspective has the ability to put thoughts into words? Name one natural entity, other than man, that exists for nothing more than these three things: to eat, to find a place to sleep and not be eaten, and to find a female of the species in heat to produce more of the same. I think you're giving 'nature' waaay too much credit.
No, I think God cares for and loves all of His creation equally.
When I was younger, and having grown up in a Western culture heavily informed and influenced in its worldviews by a Christian view of God and humanity, it was just assumed we were the top of the natural order. Humans were above all other life on this planet.
Then something happened when I much later in life learned the science of natural evolution. It was frankly a religious moment for me, realizing that we were not necessarily "the best" at all. Many lifeforms are vastly more suited for survival on this planet that we are.
But that knocking us off the top of this imaginary heap, and placing us on just our own branch of the tree, actually made the value of human life richer and more special in my eyes. Not because of being "better", but because we were beautiful in our own special, unique ways, as all the rest of creation was in it's own ways. It added dignity to all life, as all special.
Today, that has evolved in my spiritual outlook on life to see "God" in all creatures, the bunny, the squirrel, the insect, the bird, the worm, etc. All creatures are living manifestations of that same Life. And as such should be honored, and only harmed if necessary or unavoidable. Not because they are "expendable".
That has not translated into not killing, saying an infestation of ants or mice that get into the house, for instance. I view that as unfortunate, but necessary. At least when you kill, you acknowledge that it was alive does not divorce you from recognizing that, and hence diminishing ourselves in the process.
It all comes down to how we see the world we live in and treat it. As something to be exploited and consumed in service of our greatness and power, or as an exchange of life for the benefit of all in a natural system. And drawing from the Christian tradition, humans were created according the myth, to be stewards of this garden. We don't do that for the most part. And I think life is far richer and more rewarding when we do.