Do animals have any religion?

[vsedriver]

If humans are the only creatures on earth that have religion, therefore the rest of the creatures, including bacteria are atheists.

Animals are not atheists. Animals can’t reason or contemplate philosophy. Animals do not have free will, so they can not displease God by committing sin. And lastly, animals do not have immortal souls and therefore are not subject to life after death or eternal judgment.

 

[severus68]

A distinction is sometimes made between “explicit atheists” and “implicit atheists.”

Atheism is the lack of a belief in gods. Animals, babies, people who are unable to think for various reasons, etc. could all be considered implicit atheists – that is, implicitly, they lack a belief in god.

But when we have a discussion about atheism here, we are almost always talking about explicit atheism – people who have thought about the question and decided that there is insufficient evidence for them to believe that gods exist.

[quoteIf atheists will concede that animals do not have religion, this would make humans, who have evolved the religious charisma, to appear one step higher.

No, it won’t. We already fully admit that humans, unlike other animals, have evolved higher brain functions…in the same way that, for example, the cheetah, unlike other animals, has evolved faster speed.

Along with higher brain functions comes the ability to tell stories and create myths. There’s nothing magical or unexpected there.
[/QUOTE]
I do not think I am a step higher than you just bcause I believe in God and you do not. I respect all - humans, all other living things and this world. I hope you would be less cynical and more respectful of those who believe differenly.

 

[StrawberryJam]

Animals are not atheists. Animals can’t reason or contemplate philosophy. Animals do not have free will, so they can not displease God by committing sin. And lastly, animals do not have immortal souls and therefore are not subject to life after death or eternal judgment.

Then, they are defacto Atheists.
Atheists are not (always and everywhere) against God, yet that is the label placed on all of them.
Do you collect stamps? I don’t collect stamps yet I am not an Astamp collector. They don’t have to be against theism to find it insufficient for belief.
The name itself was a prejorative slapped on them by believers, theists.
Non theist is the most respectful way to address a person who has not found reason or reasons convincing enough to be a theist.

 

[petsr4ever]

I believe that since people can think for themselves and are ultimately responsible for their own actions, they need religion to help guide them through their lifetime of decision making.

Animals, on the other hand are totally innocent and free from sin. Yes, they can think to a certain extent, but not to the extent that they can purposely (decide) do bad things. In this way they are certainly a lot more lucky than we humans. And, yes, I do believe that animals go to heaven. In other words, no matter what their life form is, it does return to God when it dies.

So no, I don’t believe that animals have any religion. They don’t need to. We, on the other hand, do.

 

[StrawberryJam]

I believe that since people can think for themselves and are ultimately responsible for their own actions, they need religion to help guide them through their lifetime of decision making.

Animals, on the other hand are totally innocent and free from sin. Yes, they can think to a certain extent, but not to the extent that they can purposely (decide) do bad things. In this way they are certainly a lot more lucky than we humans. And, yes, I do believe that animals go to heaven. In other words, no matter what their life form is, it does return to God when it dies.

So no, I don’t believe that animals have any religion. They don’t need to. We, on the other hand, do.

Demonstrate the need for religion to help guide humans.

Demonstrate why belief in God does not stop one from changing faith communities, in light of what Jesus said in the narrative about those who left the community, as you apparently have done.

 

[Waiting]

If humans are the only creatures on earth that have religion, therefore the rest of the creatures, including bacteria are atheists. Religion separates humans from animals and puts man into a unique category. Atheism connects humans backwards to the animals, since animals don’t have religion.

The apes are atheists.

If atheists will concede that animals do not have religion, this would make humans, who have evolved the religious charisma, to appear one step higher.

Hey, my dog is not an atheist. He believes every word I say, and I told him there definitely is a God. He is now a firm believer. Ask me how I know there is a God. I didn’t need tangible proof, there had been too many “coincidences” in my life to be anything but other worldly help. But one day after receiving Communion, I asked the Lord to heal a dying nephew of mine. Instantly I heard this beautiful baritone voice say, “But he’s so close to Me. Would you take that away from him?” That was not my imagination. The voice came in loud and clear… and unexpected. Oh, there’s a God, all right. If you don’t believe it, just ask Him. He’ll let you know one way or another.

 

[StrawberryJam]

Hey, my dog is not an atheist. He believes every word I say, and I told him there definitely is a God. He is now a firm believer. Ask me how I know there is a God. I didn’t need tangible proof, there had been too many “coincidences” in my life to be anything but other worldly help. But one day after receiving Communion, I asked the Lord to heal a dying nephew of mine. Instantly I heard this beautiful baritone voice say, “But he’s so close to Me. Would you take that away from him?” That was not my imagination. The voice came in loud and clear… and unexpected. Oh, there’s a God, all right. If you don’t believe it, just ask Him. He’ll let you know one way or another.

Not sure if you are using satire here. I’m hesitant to call it a POE, but I am wondering how you can consider your dog a believer.

 

[Waiting]

Not sure if you are using satire here. I’m hesitant to call it a POE, but I am wondering how you can consider your dog a believer.

Clearly the story of my dog is just humor. Dogs are only using their God-given instinct in their actions. One priest said once to me that if your dog can think – baptize him. However, the rest of my message is very serious. What’s a POE?

 

[StrawberryJam]

Clearly the story of my dog is just humor. Dogs are only using their God-given instinct in their actions. One priest said once to me that if your dog can think – baptize him. However, the rest of my message is very serious. What’s a POE?

Thankfully you were not using a POE just as I thought.

I hate to talk about the POE, because I don’t wish to offend anyone mentioning it.
Here is an unreliable source of information that can give you an outline on it:
rationalwiki.org/wiki/Poe’s_Law

I wish I could sum up in my own words, but I can not without being at risk of getting Thumper’s mommy mad at me.
If you don’t have anything nice to say…

Think Bambi, Disney.

I am glad to know you were not serious.

Wouldn’t you gamble that your dog believes you are God?

 

[severus68]

Hmm, depends on your definition of religion.

I’d say, since animals have a very strong awareness of and relationships with each other and us, they certainly could have an awareness of and relationship with the God who created them, which can fit the definition of religion.

The Bible speaks of all creation ‘blessing’ (worshipping) God, even inanimate objects and forces of nature, so lends credence to this idea.

Well said.

 

[severus68]

:

I believe that since people can think for themselves and are ultimately responsible for their own actions, they need religion to help guide them through their lifetime of decision making.

Animals, on the other hand are totally innocent and free from sin. Yes, they can think to a certain extent, but not to the extent that they can purposely (decide) do bad things. In this way they are certainly a lot more lucky than we humans. And, yes, I do believe that animals go to heaven. In other words, no matter what their life form is, it does return to God when it dies.

So no, I don’t believe that animals have any religion. They don’t need to. We, on the other hand, do.

I agee with you totally.

 

[petsr4ever]

Demonstrate the need for religion to help guide humans.

Demonstrate why belief in God does not stop one from changing faith communities, in light of what Jesus said in the narrative about those who left the community, as you apparently have done.

Excuse me, but are you putting me down because of my status as being an “ex” Catholic? I may be an ex-Catholic, but that doesn’t mean I am a bad person or a non-Christian. I believe I have just as much of a chance of going to heaven (or perhaps even more) than you do. And I also believe that my dogs and cats and other critters are guaranteed a place in heaven. Yes, even before me or you. And just part of the reason they are is because they don’t judge me or others. They just live their lives free of sin. Unlike YOU or ME. Don’t even IMPLY that there is something wrong with me because I am an “ex” Catholic. You aren’t God, and YOU are not my judge.

 

[vsedriver]

Then, they are defacto Atheists.

Animals can’t be atheists because to be an atheist you have to hold to an idea. Animals don’t have ideas. Their thinking process only deals with the here and now. They don’t philosophize or reflect on the meaning of life.

 

[StrawberryJam]

Animals can’t be atheists because to be an atheist you have to hold to an idea. Animals don’t have ideas. Their thinking process only deals with the here and now. They don’t philosophize or reflect on the meaning of life.

I understand. And I apologize for not being clear. Perhaps I am an animal, according to Paul of Tarsus as I have not been born in the way he claims all have been born.

 

[StrawberryJam]

Excuse me, but are you putting me down because of my status as being an “ex” Catholic? I may be an ex-Catholic, but that doesn’t mean I am a bad person or a non-Christian. I believe I have just as much of a chance of going to heaven (or perhaps even more) than you do. And I also believe that my dogs and cats and other critters are guaranteed a place in heaven. Yes, even before me or you. And just part of the reason they are is because they don’t judge me or others. They just live their lives free of sin. Unlike YOU or ME. Don’t even IMPLY that there is something wrong with me because I am an “ex” Catholic. You aren’t God, and YOU are not my judge.

Pets4ever,

I am not putting you down at all. Nor am I making this personal to you. I asked you two questions, both were ones you could have answered without taking it personally.
One was a demand of proof for your positive assertion about God.
The other was a sincere question about the God you believe in and the apparent contradiction that stems from another positive assertion you made in light of the narrative I had assumed you use. I could have blundered in assuming you accept the christian bible.
In fact, it would be much more interesting to discuss this if you rejected the christian bible.
I have not judged anyone here.
Living a life “free of sin” when one was never given original sin to begin with, is not a statement that makes anymore sense than the other assertions you have made so far.
I am not, nor did I imply directly or indirectly that there was something wrong with you based on your status now as a non catholic.
Clearly I am not God, nor your judge. Nor am I a believer in your God.
I am glad to hear your animals will not face what I will if I die tonight.
However, you avoided answering my two questions. You expressed a lot of emotional things, and positions I can’t find in the text or by any authority.

 

[JIMBARRY1946]

I can’t speak for all animals, but I believe most cats believe they are gods and most dogs believe their particular person is god.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

My three cats and dog have a religion known as the the Temple of the Holy Feed Me

 

[StrawberryJam]

My three cats and dog have a religion known as the the Temple of the Holy Feed Me

I can make a direct deposit to this Temple of course?
Count me in.

Memo line:

Must be crazy to do this, but is life worth living if sane? I am a bit of both.

 

[sinnerdexter]

Animals can’t be atheists because to be an atheist you have to hold to an idea. Animals don’t have ideas. Their thinking process only deals with the here and now. They don’t philosophize or reflect on the meaning of life.

Take a look at the skateboarding dog (who can also do lots more) in the following two vids.
youtube.com/watch?v=QaQw9V4Upj4

youtube.com/watch?v=TtRaz1cO-Ls

And post your own findings of smart animals doing human things very well.

 

[StrawberryJam]

Take a look at the skateboarding dog (who can also do lots more) in the following two vids.
youtube.com/watch?v=QaQw9V4Upj4

youtube.com/watch?v=TtRaz1cO-Ls

And post your own findings of smart animals doing human things very well.

I ask you don’t punish me for posting such a controversial person in reply to your request,
And ask that you realize it is the only thing I could think of to offer.
I do not share the worldview of this man. Not totally.
And, I only recently understood what the controversy about him was years ago.
I just ask you to watch this. It is amazing.
Touching.
youtube.com/v/FZ-bJFVJ2P0