How does my soul make me different from an animal?

[reggieM]

Originally Posted by DavidMark

ReggieM: Humanity is at a mid point where its members can decide between becoming bestial or becoming noble, and this nobility is by the grace of God. They can become prophets in the Gospel sense, they can become apostles, saints, and angels, because there are two types of angels, to my understanding: those that descend from God, and are those embodiments of perfection and virtue that instruct us in acquiring the qualities of God. Myriads of them can be found in a few words of Christ. The other type of angel are those who have become disciplined, severed themselves from the world of mammon and devoted themselves to the service of humanity, which is the service of God.

Ok, that is interesting. It's definitely not in line with Catholic teaching, but it's worth knowing this from your perspective.

Question -- How did you arrive at this knowledge? Is it Baha'i doctrine or something you gathered from other sources?

[DavidMark]

Humans try to understand their Maker, animals don't. So, we shouldn't act like animals;
but some of the Popes called for wars, when Jesus said put up the sword.
This has to be said.
It involved more than just themselves, unfortunately. The Crusades went for 200 years.

All are created by the same God and I commune with the same God as you, but the Church in general and millions of Catholics have not become aware that a New Advent has dawned. Why? The Vatican is aware of it, but wants it to go away.
Some have brushed by it but not looked into it deeply, like Jews who have known of the Gospels existence for centuries. Will Catholics wait that long?
As it is, the Church cannot lead the entire planet, or it would have by now.
Even Islam is defunct, unable to apply what was good for the tribes to the nations.

In the 19th century the Báb, who was the Fore-runner of Bahá'u'lláh, said;
Such as are the true followers of islám would say: ‘O Lord our God! We have hearkened to the call of Thy Remembrance and obeyed Him. Forgive us our sins. Thou art, verily, the Eternal Truth, and unto Thee, our Infallible Retreat, must we all return.’

By this He meant that a New Revelation from God came for those who believe in God.
What God gave He can take away or alter. He levels mountains and raises valleys.

Baha'is have no priests, no pulpits, no trans-substantiation, no confession.
All are enjoined to teach, and work in the spirit of service is worship.
Baha'is have elected bodies by prayerful, secret ballot, without campaining or nomination or partisanship all around the planet, including the Universal House of Justice in Israel.

And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called The city of righteousness, the faithful city. (Isaiah 1:26)

[jpjd]

Originally Posted by catholic1seeks

As to my question, is there any evidence (e.g., scientific) to suggest that we ARE different from animals? Do animals have consciousness, or do they not? Do they have the ability to reason, or not? Do they have emotions? Free will? A mind?

For example, I read on an animal suffering thread that animals have emotions and are conscious and therefore "suffer" (as opposed to just feel pain).

Thanks for all the responses

Catholic1,
You are asking questions that have been asked for centuries and I don't think there is universal agreement in the scientific world on the answers. If you want the Catholic perspective, I think you should do some research and find a good Catholic book that addresses the subject with more explanation than a simple Yes or No.

[DavidMark]

Of course animals have memory, and can use their experience to retrieve what they need, but they cannot extrapolate from what they perceive.
For instance, no animal can deduce that the earth goes around the sun. It is beyond their perception.
I am surprised that you ask if we are different. The results of time have shown that we have powers of mind and faith in the unseen that animals do not.

[DarkNight]

Why do we presume to know what animals can & can not do?
Why must we relegate them to a level "below" us?

St Francis preached to animals recognizing God made them integral elements in His design.

I have never seen a soul. Except through the eyes.
Most recently, the eyes were those of Mozart - a horse who allows me to be with him.
When I realized I was seeing his soul I realized that God touches him as much as me.
His soul is no less than mine.

Yes, animals do think and reason and "understand" the future.
But not in the same way humans do since they don't have human desires or needs.

Animals do know God - I have experienced so much of Him through them!

Go with Love, Go with God

[DavidMark]

Originally Posted by DarkNight

Why do we presume to know what animals can & can not do? Why must we relegate them to a level "below" us?
Animals do know God - I have experienced so much of Him through them!

Hi Darknight!
Of course, I see the beauty and precision of God's powers in my kitties; but wouldn't it be accurate to say that animals never stray from the will of God for them?
Like plants that turn to the sun when it rises, animals respond to their senses and do what seems best to them. But consciously knowing God and worshiping Him...?
I believe our purpose is to know and love God, and seek to serve Him by serving others. How do animals worship, other than to plead for food and satisfaction of other needs?
The plant is made to yearn for rain; it doesn't need to be conscious to do it.
Granted, all are created by God, but there are degrees within degrees, you'll have to agree.

[DarkNight]

I have come to realize that animals "walk their path" in the same fashion humans should endeavor to "walk their path".
Humans unfortunately often choose to take what they see as the path of least resistance - the easy way out of a hard situation.

I looked into Mozart's eyes and I saw his soul. His soul touched my soul and mine his.
I realized that he was very much aware of what had happened.
I can no longer in good conscience consider him (or any other) a dumb animal just following his instinct.
I know he is walking his path and that he knows it.

To apply human standards and requirements to animals is anthropomorphism.
It causes us to miss the beauty & grace of those who answer to a different calling than humans do.
But to pose at least one answer as to how animals worship: dear Mozart worships God by guiding me to being a better human.

Go with Love, Go with God

[DavidMark]

Originally Posted by grannymh

These black marks touch only those persons responsible. Jesus Christ is the same Savior now as then. It is a red herring to attempt reconciling past and current public sinfulness with the Might and Meekness of Christ -- which is the description you used. The really important reconciliation happens when we bring our own sins to Christ and ask for His loving mercy.

But we are all seeking forgiveness socially too. Whites ask blacks, Germans ask Israelis, Aussies ask Aboriginies etc. All are cells in the body of mankind. What effects one member effects all members. A cancer cell should be stopped or excized.

The Body of Christ is imperishable, or as we would say: the Cause of God in the world is supreme. The world and the hearts can be polished better and better, like mirrors. May we all draw closer to Him