Balaam's donkey. infusion of intellect into an animal body

[Benadam]

Right. As far as I know, God only wanted man to be made in his image. But that’s just AFAIK.

so far:rofl:

 

[cookie-san]

Oh I see! So our ability to think creatively etc. Is because we’re made in His Image… Well I never thought of it that way. Thank you.

 

[Benadam]

Right. As far as I know, God only wanted man to be made in his image. But that’s just AFAIK.

That makes me wonder about an alien Incarnation

 

[po18guy]

“Hello! I’m Mr. Ed!”

 

[Benadam]

I knew an animal could have a rational soul!!

 

[Benadam]

think there is something special about the human brain that makes it able to accomodate a rational soul? Compared to a donkey ?

 

[po18guy]

The soul rather than the brain, perhaps. There are certainly differences between a donkey’s brain and a human’s - although that difference is hard to see in some.

 

[Benadam]

That was funny!

 

[Kei]

This is an exceptional case of a miracle. The Lord opened his mouth.

I believe animals (some at least) can feel abuse so you know…

 

[Benadam]

Interesting. to feel abuse would imply a moral judgment.

 

[po18guy]

Simply put, if you’re going to be part of a horse, choose the right end!

 

[po18guy]

Rather, to inflict abuse would be the moral evil. There is no evil on the part of the victim.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

Oh dear! So can I never meet talking animals in heaven? Man!

You can meet “talking” animals here on earth. They just don’t speak human languages. My cat is very adept at telling me when she is hungry, annoyed, ill, happy to see me, etc. She uses body language and an occasional meow.

 

[Benadam]

But if an animal can feel the difference between pain that is or isn’t abuse it implies it’s sensing evil. I think

 

[po18guy]

Best not to over-think this. A cougar killing and eating a rabbit is not evil. Neither is it for a human to do so. But, to knowingly and intentionally inflict pain on the innocent is evil. There is no malice in animals - only instinct. Malice is a condition of the human heart.

 

[Kei]

I don’t mean to say that an animal can tell that such and such is abuse, but that they can feel abuse (as in, the pain of abuse).

 

[Benadam]

I don’t mean to say that an animal can tell that such and such is abuse, but that they can feel abuse (as in, the pain of abuse).

I misunderstood. But then that’s what I do …alot

 

[Kei]

Don’t we all?

 

[pianistclare]

From Haydock’s Commentary:

Ver. 28. Opened the mouth, &c. The angel moved the tongue of the ass, to utter these speeches, to rebuke, by the mouth of a brute beast, the brutal fury and folly of Balaam. (Challoner) — St. Thomas Aquinas (ii. 2. q. 105) says, an angel spoke by the mouth of the ass, in like manner as the devil did by that of the serpent, Genesis iii. Infidels deride this miracle, and some have thought that it was only in the imagination of Balaam, that this dialogue was formed. (Maimonides) — St. Gregory of Nyssa, seems to think that the ass only brayed as usual, and that the soothsayer, being accustomed to augur from the voice of animals, understood its meaning. But St. Peter says, the dumb beast…speaking with man’s voice, forbade the folly of the prophet, 2 Peter ii. 16. God did not endue it with understanding on this occasion, but only formed, by its mouth, such sounds as might serve to repress the cruel folly of Balaam. But he was more stupid than the ass. “Being accustomed, it seems, to such prodigies,” (monstris) and intent upon lucre, he paid no farther regard to such a wonderful transaction, but held conversation with his ass, without any emotion. (St. Augustine, q. 48, 50.) (Calmet) — The pagan historians relate many instances of beasts and trees speaking; (Grotius) so that they object to this history, and to that of the serpent, with a very bad grace, as St. Cyril remarks, in his third book against Julian. (Haydock) — They relate that the ass of Bacchus spoke to him, and the horse and elephant of Achilles and Porus addressed their respective masters, while the oaks of Dodona were famous for their oracles. (Calmet) — The river Causus said, “Hail, Pythagoras.” (Porphyrius, cited by St. Cyril, &c.) (Haydock)

 

[Benadam]

Thank you! that is very informative. Aquinas say’s 'spoke by the mouth. Peter say’s ‘spoke with a man’s voice’.I don’t think a donkey would sound like a man if it was really talking…I don’t think it’s brain was being used…Thanks again!