"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.

[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:

...
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."

[Tired of the Nonsense]

[Replying to Zzyzx]

"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 forgot rocks! Animal vegetable or mineral are the three basic choices. Virus', since they don't excrete or respire, are some kind of rudimentary molecular pro-life that hasn't made up it's mind yet what it wants to be when it grows up. But rocks are the other possible choice. And certainly an individual who exhibits all of the other traits associated with animal life and yet denies the obvious association, is also exhibiting a certain hard mineral like quality as well, at least in the old noggin. Another example of simple proto-life, perhaps?

[Zzyzx]

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So far we have apparently established that the primary reason for humans to deny being animals is based upon writings by ancient religion promoters / writers who seem to be largely ignorant of biology and who had notions about humans being "created" as different from other animals (with perhaps a little ego or self-aggrandizement thrown in).

Those who wish to or need to think of themselves as special by virtue of religious beliefs are welcome to do so. However, those beliefs do not make something true -- particularly in the face of overwhelming biological information to the contrary.

This seems like another case in which some religionists place themselves in opposition to modern knowledge and science to defend ancient notions.

[Danmark]

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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."

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