"I am NOT an animal"

[Zzyzx]

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"I am NOT an animal"

Many who do not appear to have much knowledge of biology seem indignant when learning that H. sapiens are classified as animals (alternatives being plant and virus). I do not recall ever hearing a Non-Theist object. 1) Is there something about religion that causes this?

You see I am NOT an animal, never was and never in a billion years will I evolve to be one, my family tree all the way back to Adam don't have one ape in it.

2) Why be upset, indignant or in denial about a biological / taxonomic classification?

3) Since humans differ from other animals only in degree (some mental and physical characteristics), what is the objection to recognizing that they are animals?

4) Is anything other than religion (and possibly narcissism) involved?


In the quoted statement someone (whose theological position apparently defies description) claims knowledge of his family tree back to Adam – as though that proves the claimant is not an animal. However, if the hypothetical Adam was human (H. sapiens), he (Adam) classifies as an animal.

[OnceConvinced]

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"I am NOT an animal"

Many who do not appear to have much knowledge of biology seem indignant when learning that H. sapiens are classified as animals (alternatives being plant and virus). I do not recall ever hearing a Non-Theist object. 1) Is there something about religion that causes this?

Yes. Religious people like to think they are somehow special and favoured by God. That they were created above all these other animals.

2) Why be upset, indignant or in denial about a biological / taxonomic classification?

I don't see why one would need to feel upset or indignant about it unless they have some real ego and self esteem issues. It's not like admitting your a homosexual or anything. There's no real stigma in society about it. Most educated people understand that humans are just another species of animals.

3) Since humans differ from other animals only in degree (some mental and physical characteristics), what is the objection to recognizing that they are animals?

I don't see why there should be an objection. It's quite obvious we are just another type of animal. I'd say that we were just further evolved, but even then we are hardly the superior species except perhaps when it comes to intelligence. Otherwise we're not the strongest, fastest, most durable, most long lasting. We don't have the best hearing, sight etc. Hell we can't even fly unless we build machines!

4) Is anything other than religion (and possibly narcissism) involved?

Can't see anything else. Narcissism could well be a huge issue.

In the quoted statement someone (whose theological position apparently defies description) claims knowledge of his family tree back to Adam – as though that proves the claimant is not an animal. However, if the hypothetical Adam was human (H. sapiens), he (Adam) classifies as an animal.

Seems to me that Adam would have been the first cave man.

[Divine Insight]

4) Is anything other than religion (and possibly narcissism) involved?

The Abrahamic religions are totally obsessed with the ego. Even the idea of being "saved" and going to heaven is really nothing more than an idea of having the ego perpetuated for eternity.

And the idea of being sent to hell is the idea of an ego being tortured for eternity.

It's all about the ego. Period.

[1213]

In the quoted statement someone (whose theological position apparently defies description) claims knowledge of his family tree back to Adam – as though that proves the claimant is not an animal. However, if the hypothetical Adam was human (H. sapiens), he (Adam) classifies as an animal.

In Biblical “Classification humans is created separately from animals as image of God. It makes human different than animal.

That I think is the reason for not accepting to be animal. However it is totally different think and matter of belief does person accept Biblical classification.

I don’t see why person should accept modern biological classification, even if there are similarities in physical structure.

[JoeyKnothead]

From Post 4:

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I don’t see why person should accept modern biological classification, even if there are similarities in physical structure.

It should be accepted as a fact based description.

[OnceConvinced]

When you think that these people believe that the almighty god of the universe wants a personal relationship with them, it's quite understandable that they will recoil at the idea of being considered just another animal.

[OnceConvinced]

In Biblical “Classification humans is created separately from animals as image of God. It makes human different than animal.

Yes. For most Christians, it's probably not really so much about egotism and narcissism, but more a belief based on the bible story.

[Divine Insight]

In Biblical “Classification humans is created separately from animals as image of God. It makes human different than animal.

Yes. For most Christians, it's probably not really so much about egotism and narcissism, but more a belief based on the bible story.

But this leaves me wondering about the people who actually WROTE it.

[sf]

"I am NOT an animal"

Many who do not appear to have much knowledge of biology seem indignant when learning that H. sapiens are classified as animals (alternatives being plant and virus). I do not recall ever hearing a Non-Theist object. 1) Is there something about religion that causes this?

Even as a non-believer, I knew there was something different about humans. Yes, biologically we are similar to animals, especially other mammals of course. But what sets us apart? As Pink Floyd's "Keep Talking" song put it:

For millions of years mankind lived just like the animals
Then something happened which unleashed the power of our imagination
We learned to talk

Other animals have methods of communicating, but nothing compared to our speech and language. Maybe that's it? (besides the religious reasons of course)

[Beans]

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"I am NOT an animal"

Many who do not appear to have much knowledge of biology seem indignant when learning that H. sapiens are classified as animals (alternatives being plant and virus). I do not recall ever hearing a Non-Theist object. 1) Is there something about religion that causes this?

You see I am NOT an animal, never was and never in a billion years will I evolve to be one, my family tree all the way back to Adam don't have one ape in it.

2) Why be upset, indignant or in denial about a biological / taxonomic classification?

3) Since humans differ from other animals only in degree (some mental and physical characteristics), what is the objection to recognizing that they are animals?

4) Is anything other than religion (and possibly narcissism) involved?


In the quoted statement someone (whose theological position apparently defies description) claims knowledge of his family tree back to Adam – as though that proves the claimant is not an animal. However, if the hypothetical Adam was human (H. sapiens), he (Adam) classifies as an animal.

Ecclesiastes 3:18 "I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts."