₦airaland Forum

I would ask Muslims the same question but unfortunately, I'm not familiar with Islam... I'm not a bigot.

***

Back to the topic, do animals worship God? Are they even aware of his existence? After all, if there is indeed a divine creator, then faith shouldn't be a Christian thing (it would then seem like some 'human' invention). Humans eat and fight and feel happiness, so do animals but the things we don't have in common as those we created. Is religion and faith one of them? Animals were also principal characters in the Bible, almost as much as humans.

For example,

Numbers 23-33

When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, she turned off the road into a field. Balaam beat her to get her back on the road.

Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path between two vineyards, with walls on both sides.

When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she pressed close to the wall, crushing Balaam's foot against it. So he beat her again.

Then the angel of the LORD moved on ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn, either to the right or to the left.

When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam, and he was angry and beat her with his staff.

Then the LORD opened the donkey's mouth, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?"

Balaam answered the donkey, "You have made a fool of me! If I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now."

The donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?" "No," he said.

Then the LORD opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown.

The angel of the LORD asked him, "Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me.

The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If she had not turned away, I would certainly have killed you by now, but I would have spared her."

***
Animals too were instructed to worship God.

Psalm 148:10-13

Praise him, all you wild animals and cattle.

Praise him, you small creatures and flying birds.

Praise him, you kings of the earth and all nations.

Praise him, all you princes and rulers on earth.

Praise him, young men and women.

Praise him, old men and children. Let them praise the name of the LORD.

His name alone is honored. His glory is higher than the earth and the heavens.

***

Isaiah 43:20

Even the wild animals will honor me; jackals and ostriches will praise me when I make rivers flow in the desert to give water to my chosen people.

***

To be continued

What therefore is the distinction between humans and animals, in terms of spirituality if we both acknowledge and worship God almighty?

You could argue the God gave man dominion over animal but God also placed woman under the authority of man, but that doesn't deprive her of her immortal soul?

Does that mean we should open the doors of our churches to animals? Accept that they too might attain heaven and so on...

The Bible never said otherwise, we only assumed.

In fact, animals were a part of the paradise Eden and would exist in the one to come after the end of days, proving that they hold a special place in God's heart. Why create them if they were just stupid beasts?

I think it's about time Christian redefined it's position on the God given rights of animals (not sure how to phrase it but you understand).

The inability of animals to communicate doesn't mean they lack a soul. Science and the Bible has proven that they are equally conscious beings capable of emotions and faith... Whites then used to assume Blacks were soulless due to our different culture, and the language barrier made it easier to reinforce this stupid belief.

No go find work do. In this time and age na who animal dey worship be your problem. Next go be wetin broom and chair dey worship.

Cybertroll:
I would ask Muslims the same question but unfortunately, I'm not familiar with Islam... I'm not a bigot.

***

Back to the topic, do animals worship God? Are they even aware of his existence? After all, if there is indeed a divine creator, then faith shouldn't be a Christian thing (it would then seem like some 'human' invention). Humans eat and fight and feel happiness, so do animals but the things we don't have in common as those we created. Is religion and faith one of them? Animals were also principal characters in the Bible, almost as much as humans.

For example,

Numbers 23-33


***
Animals too were instructed to worship God.

Psalm 148:10-13

Praise him, all you wild animals and cattle.

Praise him, you small creatures and flying birds.

Praise him, you kings of the earth and all nations.

Praise him, all you princes and rulers on earth.

Praise him, young men and women.

Praise him, old men and children. Let them praise the name of the LORD.

His name alone is honored. His glory is higher than the earth and the heavens.

***

Isaiah 43:20

Even the wild animals will honor me; jackals and ostriches will praise me when I make rivers flow in the desert to give water to my chosen people.

***

To be continued

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Yes, they praise Him.

If you make something and that thing is perfect as in working as intended we could say it brings you praise.

Likewise all the things God created brings him praise it doesn't mean they're worshiping Him!

Now na animal salvation person go dey pursue? Which kain madness be dis?

MaxInDHouse:
If you make something and that thing is perfect as in working as intended we could say it brings you praise.

Likewise all the things God created brings him praise it doesn't mean they're worshiping Him!

Disappointing...

Let me define 'worship', so you understand better

Oxford dictionary

Noun

The feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity.

Now, animals 'praising' God as the true ominipotent deity, I infact worship.

Isaiah 43:20

Even the wild animals will honor me; jackals and ostriches will praise me when I make rivers flow in the desert to give water to my chosen people.

Emphasis on the words, 'honor' and 'praise'...

Take away the elaborate rituals of the Church and that's exactly what humans do! We simply 'acknowledge', 'honor' and 'praise' God.

Catholics do that with mass and the holy communion. Jehovah witnesses are more of a close-knit community (if you understand what I mean). Protestants are more concerned with miracles and such.

Like I wrote earlier, the language barrier stops us from communicating with animals, which therefore prevents us from understand their manner of worship (remember, just because it's different and incomprehensible doesn't mean it's non-existent or unimportant)...

Whites justified enslaving Africans because the latter were nothing but 'faithless barbarians' but we know this isn't true...

Cybertroll:
Oxford dictionary
Noun
The feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity.

So apart from humans can you explain how an animal does any of the four:
Feeling
Expression
Reverence
Adoration

Cybertroll:
the language barrier stops us from communicating with animals, which therefore prevents us from understand their manner of worship (remember, just because it's different and incomprehensible doesn't mean it's non-existent or unimportant)...

This is what confused you!
If you want to stick to what the Bible God said about creation it's only man that was created in God's image so all other creatures live on instinct which means they have no ability to think regarding feeling, expression, reverence or adoration towards any deity, animals only regarding what is visible to them that's why God admonished man to become a demigod over all animals:

Then God said: “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness, and let them have in subjection the fish of the sea and the flying creatures of the heavens and the domestic animals and all the earth and every creeping animal that is moving on the earth.” Genesis 1:26

So animals can only WORSHIP/ADORE Man as the VISIBLE demigod in Eden!

MaxInDHouse:
So apart from humans can you explain how an animal does any of the four:
Feeling
Expression
Reverence
Adoration


This is what confused you!
If you want to stick to what the Bible God said about creation it's only man that was created in God's image so all other creatures live on instinct which means they have no ability to think regarding feeling, expression, reverence or adoration towards any deity, animals only regarding what is visible to them that's why God admonished man to become a demigod over all animals:

Then God said: “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness, and let them have in subjection the fish of the sea and the flying creatures of the heavens and the domestic animals and all the earth and every creeping animal that is moving on the earth.” Genesis 1:26

So animals can only WORSHIP/ADORE Man as the VISIBLE demigod in Eden!

Alright...

Firstly, animals do feel emotions (from birds to dogs, dolphins and monkeys, tigers and snakes, etc)... As for reverence and adoration, that's faith and the expression of faith. You can't use biology to explain it; you can't explain why humans worship a God they can neither see nor touch but we do. Therefore, I can only use the Bible (which you believe in thoroughly) to validate my point.

Again, I'll quote this verse... Numbers 23-27
When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, she turned off the road into a field. Balaam beat her to get her back on the road.

Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path between two vineyards, with walls on both sides.

When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she pressed close to the wall, crushing Balaam's foot against it. So he beat her again.

Then the angel of the LORD moved on ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn, either to the right or to the left.

When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam, and he was angry and beat her with his staff

If you read it, you'll understand that the donkey was entirely aware that it's master was being confronted by an Angel of God, the donkey recognised His authority and made several attempts to save it's master from God's wrath.

Secondly, with regards to this

This is what confused you!
If you want to stick to what the Bible God said about creation it's only man that was created in God's image so all other creatures live on instinct which means they have no ability to think regarding feeling, expression, reverence or adoration towards any deity, animals only regarding what is visible to them that's why God admonished man to become a demigod over all animals:

So you mean Animals don't recognize God as their creator despite the Bible numerously stating that they do? They were instructed to praise God, along with man. The Bible is wrong? Or the ancients who wrote it were silly to give human attributes to animals?

Man isn't 'demigod over animals'... That's blasphemous.

God placed parents over their children, commanding the latter to obey and honour the former.

He also placed men over women, commanding the latter to obey and honour the former.

He also placed priests over their congregations, commanding the latter to obey and honour the former.

He also placed masters over their slaves, commanding the latter to obey and honour the former.

Are parents, men, priests, and masters demigods? The answer is NO! Because they were also given the responsibility to cater to the needs of those beneath them. Their privilege doesn't make them God's second-in-command but God's representative on earth. For example, the priest concerns himself with the spiritual needs of his congregation but that doesn't mean his followers have no souls nor the ability to worship God without his intervention. He was simply appointed by God to nurture and guide His people.

God made man in his image, yes but what had that got to do with faith? Does God worship a superior being? Our intelligence and higher consciousness makes us alike to God, that's it. But animals being inferior doesn't make them dumb beasts. If they were, why did God bother creating them? Why were they in the garden Eden alongside Adam and Eve? Why reserve them a place in the paradise to come?

***

If you persist in claiming animals are oblivious to the presence of a divine creator, you're indirectly saying faith and religion is a human thing.

***

Animals do have faith, they recognise that earth is the good work of God and they praise him however they can. Because they don't participate in elaborate human rituals doesn't change that.

Cybertroll:


Alright...

Firstly, animals do feel emotions (from birds to dogs, dolphins and monkeys, tigers and snakes, etc)... As for reverence and adoration, that's faith and the expression of faith. You can't use biology to explain it; you can't explain why humans worship a God they can neither see nor touch but we do. Therefore, I can only use the Bible (which you believe in thoroughly) to validate my point.

Again, I'll quote this verse... Numbers 23-27
When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, she turned off the road into a field. Balaam beat her to get her back on the road.

Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path between two vineyards, with walls on both sides.

When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she pressed close to the wall, crushing Balaam's foot against it. So he beat her again.

Then the angel of the LORD moved on ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn, either to the right or to the left.

When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam, and he was angry and beat her with his staff

If you read it, you'll understand that the donkey was entirely aware that it's master was being confronted by an Angel of God, the donkey recognised His authority and made several attempts to save it's master from God's wrath.

Secondly, with regards to this
So you mean Animals don't recognize God as their creator despite the Bible numerously stating that they do? They were instructed to praise God, along with man. The Bible is wrong? Or the ancients who wrote it were silly to give human attributes to animals?

Man isn't 'demigod over animals'... That's blasphemous.

God placed parents over their children, commanding the latter to obey and honour the former.

He also placed men over women, commanding the latter to obey and honour the former.

He also placed priests over their congregations, commanding the latter to obey and honour the former.

He also placed masters over their slaves, commanding the latter to obey and honour the former.

Are parents, men, priests, and masters demigods? The answer is NO! Because they were also given the responsibility to cater to the needs of those beneath them. Their privilege doesn't make them God's second-in-command but God's representative on earth. For example, the priest concerns himself with the spiritual needs of his congregation but that doesn't mean his followers have no souls nor the ability to worship God without his intervention. He was simply appointed by God to nurture and guide His people.

God made man in his image, yes but what had that got to do with faith? Does God worship a superior being? Our intelligence and higher consciousness makes us alike to God, that's it. But animals being inferior doesn't make them dumb beasts. If they were, why did God bother creating them? Why were they in the garden Eden alongside Adam and Eve? Why reserve them a place in the paradise to come?

***

If you persist in claiming animals are oblivious to the presence of a divine creator, you're indirectly saying faith and religion is a human thing.

***

Animals do have faith, they recognise that earth is the good work of God and they praise him however they can. Because they don't participate in elaborate human rituals doesn't change that.

Ọmọ you don't know what demigod means!

Can a man by and kill a child to cook and eat publicly?

Can a man by and kill an animal to cook and eat publicly?

That's what demigod means!

MaxInDHouse:
Ọmọ you don't know what demigod means!

Can a man by and kill a child to cook and eat publicly?

Can a man by and kill an animal to cook and eat publicly?

That's what demigod means!

Lmao! A man can rape and beat his slave, even kill her but he can't do the same to his wife and God forbid he disrespects a fellow man.

Yes, man can kill and eat an animal, proving the latter is indeed inferior but that doesn't change the fact that the animal worships God and may have a soul.

The slave that was murdered, is she souless? No!

The Africans who were tortured and killed by the early missionaries, are they souless? No!

Anything that is conscious of God's authority as it's creator and worships Him does so because of it's immortal soul, even the Devil recognises God as God! Everything on earth, above and underneath it does so too! Argue with the bible!

Faith is inherent, that's why there are thousands of religions and cults and such... Religion however is a human creation, it's creeds and doctrines too! Take these away and we do the same thing singing birds do, acknowledge and praise God!

Cybertroll:
Lmao! A man can rape and beat his slave, even kill her but he can't do the same to his wife and God forbid he disrespects a fellow man.

Yes, man can kill and eat an animal, proving the latter is indeed inferior but that doesn't change the fact that the animal worships God and may have a soul.

The slave that was murdered, is she souless? No!

The Africans who were tortured and killed by the early missionaries, are they souless? No!

Anything that is conscious of God's authority as it's creator and worships Him does so because of it's immortal soul, even the Devil recognises God as God! Everything on earth, above and underneath it does so too! Argue with the bible!

Faith is inherent, that's why there are thousands of religions and cults and such... Religion however is a human creation, it's creeds and doctrines too! Take these away and we do the same thing singing birds do, acknowledge and praise God!

You dodge my question!

Please i'm not here for arguments so if you're not ready to answer the question it's OK.

Once again:

Can a man by and kill a child to cook and eat publicly?

Can a man by and kill an animal to cook and eat publicly?

We all know that in ancient times slaves were beaten to death on the accusation that the slave disobeyed his or her owner who bought him or her for the purpose of serving the master. But never has any slave master killed, cook and eat a slave publicly!

That still show the huge difference between the life of a slave and that of an animal.

So if only animals could be killed, cooked and eaten publicly by humans then Man has been made a demigod over all other creatures:

Then God said: “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness, and let them have in subjection the fish of the sea and the flying creatures of the heavens and the domestic animals and all the earth and every creeping animal that is moving on the earth" Genesis 1:26

Your own son can kill, cook and eat your choicest pet but never will you spare a pet that kills your own son!

MaxInDHouse:
You dodge my question!

Please i'm not here for arguments so if you're not ready to answer the question it's OK.

Once again:

Can a man by and kill a child to cook and eat publicly?

Can a man by and kill an animal to cook and eat publicly?

We all know that in ancient times slaves were beaten to death on the accusation that the slave disobeyed his or her owner who bought him or her for the purpose of serving the master. But never has any slave master killed, cook and eat a slave publicly!

That still show the huge difference between the life of a slave and that of an animal.

So if only animals could be killed, cooked and eaten publicly by humans then Man has been made a demigod over all other creatures:

Then God said: “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness, and let them have in subjection the fish of the sea and the flying creatures of the heavens and the domestic animals and all the earth and every creeping animal that is moving on the earth" Genesis 1:26

Your own son can kill, cook and eat your choicest pet but never will you spare a pet that kills your own son!

Lol! I did answer your question. But I'll do so again.

No, you can't eat your son. Not because you CAN NOT but because you decide not to. It's not an impossibility. There are cannibals, no? But the reason we aren't all cannibals is most humans find the idea of eating another human revolting. Your anatomy doesn't prevent you from doing so, even God gives you the free will to choose whether or not you would eat a human being. A father under extreme conditions (starvation) would eat his favourite son. That's life for you. Millions have done it, many more would.

It's the same as incest and child rape- we condemn it cause it's 'uncivilized' not because we are physically or spiritually incapable of marrying our siblings or sexually abusing children.

Back to the topic, if a father who's starving decides to eat his son, does that change the fact that the son is a being with a soul who used to worship God?

God allows us to eat animals, but that it us gaining sustenance from their bodies and not their souls. Because God understands they too have a higher form of life, he instructs us to not drink their BLOOD, which is life-giving.

So what's your point? When you eat a chicken, you eat it's flesh and it's soul goes to heaven. Same happens to the souls of those who were eaten by cannibals and other animals.

You say man is demigod, right? Why then do animals prey on us? Or you can command wild beasts to not eat you?

Because tigers and snakes have killed uncountable humans, doesn't mean they have dominion over us, or that we (the food) are soulless.

Cybertroll:
Lol! I did answer your question. But I'll do so again.

No, you can't eat your son. Not because you CAN NOT but because you decide not to. It's not an impossibility.

Cannibalism is against God's law as well as man's law that's why you can't see any country throughout this planet where it's endorsed.

But as for killing and eating animals there's no country on this planet where you won't find an abattoir and it's animals that are slaughtered there for human consumption.

Do you know why God gave Israelites the law not to kill? Exodus 20:13
Ọmọ ancient Israelites have the right to kill those who aren't worshipers of their God just as they does to animals but once a person has become a worshiper of their God whoever kills such a person has committed murder from the standpoint of their God.
Do you think animals could be worshipers of the same God who detests/forbids the killing of His own worshipers?