Good evening all
“Man is a Religious Animal. He is the only Religious Animal. He is the only animal that has the True Religion--several of them. He is the only animal that loves his neighbor as himself and cuts his throat if his theology isn't straight. He has made a graveyard of the globe in trying his honest best to smooth his brother's path to happiness and heaven....The higher animals have no religion. And we are told that they are going to be left out in the Hereafter. I wonder why? It seems questionable taste.”
—Mark Twain
16
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! Is there anything you need to understand that you don’t understand about ! Humanity! Sometimes I wonder if most people understand the concept of life
Robert101
Level 3
Mar 22, 2022
0
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I remember hearing about some people who taught gorillas sign language, and then told them the story of Jesus. The gorillas couldn't stop laughing.
I'd say that humans are imaginative animals, more than religious animals. Faith (positive imaginings), is not just advantageous to religion, but also is handy for theory that leads to discovery and progress. Faith is a two sided blade that can cut in two or more directions.
snytiger6
Level 9
Mar 22, 2022
0
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There's little functional difference between a theological and an ideological one. They are both extremely political; seeking power over the minds and conduct of their followers. Variations are separated only by degrees from one to another. This wasn't as clear in Twain's time as today. Communism, Fascism, Political Zionism and the role myths play in them, as with religions, had yet to become widespread and violent political movements until after his passing.
As his criticisms evidence, there isn't ten cents worth of difference between any of their eligibility for the above description. People in groups are ultimately vile and far removed from the ability to love, respect and tolerate differences born in us as individuals.
Silver1wun
Level 7
Mar 21, 2022
1
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Animals are not at all so virtuous. Chimpazees conduct wars in which one tribe may attack and kill members of another over territory with food sources. The war is actually carried out with a great deal of coordination. They have also been observed to attack and kill members of the tribe which attempted to break away from the main tribe. Meerkats are also known to engage in battles over territory in which members of rival clans may kill each other. Members of the clan may also be banished from a Meerkat clan, only to later be allowed back into the clan - "forgiven".
There are plenty of examples where animals demonstrate behaviors which have parrallels with human behaviors. I doubt we could attribute any of these behaviors as evidence of "religion" because I think religion requires a higher cognitive ability and greater communication skills. But I can't help but wonder if what we do observe in some of these parrallel behaviors isn't the seeds, the rock botton root beginnings of what eventually evolved into religion in human beings.
RussRAB
Level 8
Mar 21, 2022
4
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I love Mark Twain's biting sarcasm.
anglophone
Level 9
Mar 21, 2022
7
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We don't know if other animals have religion. We can't as them if they worship anything.
xenoview
Level 8
Mar 21, 2022
3
No, BUT we can and do OBSERVE do we not and from those observations we can draw conclusions.
And, after all, that is exactly what a thinking animal does, i.e. it sees, it observes, it considers and thenit draws a conclusion from those observations, etc.
Name one instance where ANYONE can honestly and TRUTHFULLY state categorically and BEYOND the merest shadow of a reasonable doubt that they have actually observed, heard and listened as any animal prays.
The ball is now in YOUR court, are you going to join in and offer up something to support your hypothesis or are you going to remain silent?
@xenoview Perhaps you may well be better off stating that " I am UNSURE if animals pray since I do not have either education nor knowledge to understand their actions and thus make such a comparison.
Now, answer these questions Truthfully and honestly.
Have you EVER merely sat and OBSERVED animal behaviours intently?
Have YOU ever bothered to observe the behaviour of your household pet/s and can honestly and categorically STATE and Affirm that their action PRIOR to eating, etc, resemble praying in any known and accepted shape or form , etc, etc.
And, last but by no means least of all,
Have you ever spent time merely OBSERVING and watching animals interact and behave either towards each other, constantly, or continuously in their natural surroundings?
Thank you for the comment. They all worship ME!
But your bibble speaks of spirit animals. If the prophet flew to heaven on a winged horse there must be such a thing. Also, when Jesus returns he will be in the sky on a horse. I'm not sure if the horse is religious or not but the bibble says Jesus and some angels will be riding horses in the sky. Maybe that's where the song "Ghost Riders" came from.
DenoPenno
Level 9
Mar 21, 2022
4
@SeaGreenEyez That's cute. 
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