The worth of Animal Life in the eyes of God

[Rainbow Mage]

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?

 

[Storm]

Not at all, in my view. It's all part of God.

 

[Smoke]

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]

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]

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]

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.

 

[fallingblood]

Also, when I say kill animals, I don't mean just senseless killing.

 

[Rainbow Mage]

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.

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]

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.

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.

 

[Moonstone]

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.

 

[RomCat]

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]

Rom Cat do you say that merely because the church told you so?

 

[Rainbow Mage]

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.

 

[Willamena]

Not at all, in my view. It's all part of God.

I agree.

Even (in my view) conceptual life.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

I'm pretty sure god favors hydrogen far more than either humans or animals. This is why there's so much of it.

 

[newhope101]

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]

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.

Who are you asking?

 

[Wandered Off]

In the begining the vegetation was given to all creatures for food so there was no killing animals for food.

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.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

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.

This isn't what happened?

 

[Valjean]

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