Why do some people find the term "Human Animal" offensive and inaccurate ?

Just because we are Homo sapiens doesn’t mean we aren’t special.

Some people don’t get that.

To them it’s not that it insinuates the absence of god, but confirms the likely hood of these “Human animals” being the spawn of Satan.

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I think it’s inaccurate.
We possess a level of cognitive ability that animals just don’t have.

For the people that love nothing more than to argue technicalities:
Yes sure we are all organic carbon based life forms. I’ll grant you that but if you think that means that our behavior is no different than that of the average wild beast, that’s not even remotely true.

It’s not inaccurate. We, in biological terms, are animals. We belong to the kingdom Animalia and our closest genetic relatives are primates. That’s not to say we aren’t special, because obviously we are, at least in terms of our cognitive and language abilities; however, we are not the only species that communicates via language.

I think people take offense because humans have long enjoyed thinking we are somehow above the base animals around us. It’s superiority, plain and simple. Religious folk, I assume, take issue with it because the Bible tells them that humans were put on the planet to subjugate the Earth’s plants and animals. It’s hard to reconcile that superior attitude when faced with the knowledge you are just another one of those animals.

As an aside, humans have produced a lot of knowledge and technological advances due to our amazing brains and abilities. However, biology has not caught up with these advances. Your brain does not know that you aren’t living in a cave surrounded by constant dangers. Look to biology and you will find that we still have a lot of hard-wiring and instincts from times long past. Animal instincts, if you will.

Check out the human animal in the zoo

Because maybe, subconsciously, on some level, it hits too close to home.

It dosn’t insult me, and i believe in god. who is to say adam and eve were not ape like and evolved to what we are today.

um, @slick44 Adam & Eve “were, according to the Book of Genesis of the Bible, the first man and woman created by God.” Meaning, in bible terms, evolution didn’t happen.

@Axemusica .. I understand that. but think about it. everything has changed, as time has past. so maybe the word change is better.

I’ve known some pretty animal-like humans. And there was a guy I dated once. He fooled me into thinking he was human, until I got to know him. Musta been a throw-back.

Because some people need to have sunshine and rainbows periodically blown up their asses otherwise they get sad.

Can’t say it better than @Thammuz! Is it a superiority thing? We can certainly behave worse sometimes.

Other than answering your own question with the words ultra religious, I think such a term is offensive to some because it seems to question one’s justifications for their horrendous actions and behaviours.

I don’t think zealots and godgobbers are stupid, just really in denial?

Ignore what the hell they don’t like. You can’t spend your days catering to the likes and dislikes of others. No matter what you say, there will always be someone who chooses to take offense. Life is too short. Don’t allow them to make their problems into your problems.

I personally believe that God made humans in His image. We are completely separate from the animals. So calling us “human animals” just seems incorrect.

They see us a spiritual beings. Separate from the Animal Kingdom.

They assume that they are “created separately” from animals and do not accept evolution in any form. The good thing is that if they take offense to the term, it means that you no longer have to interact with them because they are too narrow minded for intelligent conversation.

look at the danish zoo link above—shows humans being displayed in zoo as just one more primate exhibit to make visitors consider their links to other primates/mammals/fauna

Happy Earth Day, everybody! Now go hug your favourite animal! :D

Because they think they are superior to animals. They also must have never played the old game of 20 questions. Because the first question, for me was always ‘manmade or natural’. and if they said natural, the second was the classification question ‘animal, vegetable, or mineral’

They must have a legume that we are human beans. Silly sprouts.

Because we are Homo sapiens and still very special in the whole animal kingdom, for example capable of asking why questions.

Some scientists don’t get that, giving the impression we are just like other animals.

@Ron_C – if you refuse to interact with people who believe differently to you, that makes YOU the narrow minded one.

I think we are all just a bunch of animals in one big barn.

@Harold it doesn’t mean that I don’t interact, it is just a time saving device. I don’t see how trying to address the concerns of the deeply committed will bring reason to their thinking or bring them back into the rational world. After a couple tries it is just better to say “have a nice day” and be on your way.

I spent a agonizing half hour listening to Glen Beck trying to understand what people found attractive about him. I had to give up on that too.

Arguing with a creationist is like beating your head against the wall. You can reason with a rational person but not a Believer”.

You will win far more converts by inspiring people to what you’re up to than by ridiculing them. Christians and atheists alike, this goes for all of you!

I wonder how many people following this thread will seriously consider what I’m saying?

To convert someone to your side certainly does require a paradigm shift in your-and-their thinking. If you’re not willing to consider that, then you’ll never convince anyone of anything. It takes time to change someone’s thought patterns, and that requires patience, generosity, and love. What I have noticed among anti-creationists and Christians alike is an expectation that you’re going to win someone over quickly. If that doesn’t happen quickly enough to suit you, then the conversation degenerates into emotionalism, drama and name calling. That shows me your true character, and is a deal breaker for me, and I don’t care who’s side you are on!

As for the actual question about “Human Animal” it’s all in how you define the terms. Some folks are not up to it if they think the term some how paints them as a product of evolution. I’m a strong Christian, and I do not believe in evolution. But when I consider that I’m in a body that requires food, water, rest, and is capable of reproduction just like all the other beings on this planet, I’m not bothered, because in that sense I’m an animal also. What distinguishes me from them is that I have a soul.

@snowberry – Human beings are the most amazing animals of all because we are capable of unraveling God’s creation. We are very special. We even figured out that God’s way of creating humans which is a process called evolution. Proverbs 19:2 reminds Christians that it’s not good to have zeal without knowledge. Denying evolution is like saying the world is flat or the sun revolves around the earth. It shows a lack of knowledge. In the past Christians made fun of Galileo rejecting his scientific discoveries. History should teach us a lesson here. We should not repeat the same mistake with Darwin. He is one of the greatest scientific minds in human history.

Hey I’m not interested about arguing evolution with you or anyone. You believe what you believe; I’m fine with that.

This was the original question:

*I understand people believing in Biblical Creationism and completely dismissing Evolution
(their business)
but why would anyone think the term “Human Animal” insinuates there’s no God ?*

I think I did answer that question. I’m really not interested in debating evolution with anyone. I was simply making an observation about how such debates always seem to go. I appreciate your ideas though, even if you do think I’m unknowledgeable.

@snowberry – I accept that. And many of those debates tend to get boring because there’s too much repetition. In my previous post I was trying to explain why some people find the term human animal offensive and inaccurate. Because it leaves out the fact that we are the most amazing animals ever to walk the Earth. The same applies to Earth. It’s not just a planet, it’s the most amazing planet, say within 100 light years at least. Even our sun is rather special. It’s a single yellow dwarf, while the vast majority of stars in the galaxy are tepid red dwarfs often being part of multiple star systems. It’s also a wonderfully metal-rich star. Even our solar system is amazing with Jupiter safeguarding the Earth. Even our place in the galaxy in special. Even our universe as a whole. Very special. Not ordinary. My point is, the more knowledgeable we get about science the greater the awe can get about the ingenuity of God’s creation and the uniqueness of intelligent self-aware creatures. “Human animal” can sound like a dumb ordinary beast, like ordinary planet or star. This is why there was so much resistance against Galileo. This is why there is so much resistance against Darwin. The term “human animal” is very problematic and it’s at the very heart of the matter. Let’s stop belittling human beings and think twice about our choice of words and style.

@mattbrowne. As I said, “human animal” doesn’t bother me at all. Unlikely I’ll ever agree that Darwin had it right, but I do appreciate your comment. You are a gentleman!

What I have noticed is that so many discussions like that turn into sh*t throwing character defamation contests. I’ve no desire to get into a question like that in Fluther.

@Ron_C – sorry, but your attitude that all creationists are irrational just proves my point.

I don’t see myself using ever using the term because it’s so very easily misunderstood because the choice of words can be construed as confrontational by a creationist.

My ideas about life are controversial enough without using that term. Instead, if the occasion calls for it, I might put the definition in my own words, and work it into the conversation (see above). When I’ve done this in a non-confrontational tone, I’ve never had anyone even disagree with me, let alone be offended.

It’s all in how you present your information my friend.

The Naked Ape by Desmond Morris (a zoologist) is a fascinating read. He was the first person I encountered that had the same fascination with humans from a zoological perspective as I do. Those of you that think it’s insulting or incorrect to think of ourselves as animals should give this a read.

@Harold in a nutshell, that is my belief. Creationists, especially the ,new earth branch, can take what they see and can be proven, reject it, and continue their belief system. How is that not irrational?

@snowberry – Thanks for your kind remarks! I also think highly of you and I actually believe you’ve got the strength in you to consider telling your creationist friends one day something like, you know what, I changed my mind. That would be a very courageous thing to do.

In my opinion the biggest hurdle could be the fear of hurting the feelings of fellow creationists. People who eventually admit that Darwin makes sense might be seen as traitors. Maybe the only way is finding arguments that it’s actually a very Christian thing to do to support evolution (of which I’m totally convinced). For example by increasing the chances of healing people. Helping children who got cancer. Not letting them suffer and die. Finding better therapies for cancer requires a good understanding of evolution. We can save these children if we keep at it.

Gregor Mendel was a German priest and scientist who founded the study of genetics. It was his curiosity that eventually helped revolutionize modern medicine saving millions of people. A very Christian motive.

We should all use our curiosity. How did wolves turn into dogs? How do bacteria become resistant against antibiotics? Why do all living cells of plants and animals contain mitochondria and ribosomes? How do the genomes of fruit flies change over time? Why do humans have 46 chromosomes and one of them got two centromeres and telomeres? How do the genomes of wolves and dogs look like? Sequencing is so cheap these days.

Georges Lemaître was a Belgian priest and physicist who wondered about Genesis and he was the first to propose the big bang as the origin of the universe. Many of the greatest secrets of our world have been revealed not by atheists, but by people of faith.

I think it’s wonderful to be curious.

@mattbrowne My unorthodox views do not extend to creation/evolution.

Regarding how I live my life: I don’t not say something because I’m worried about hurting someone’s feelings, or stepping on toes. I am not afraid of confrontation, but experience and wisdom tells me there are better ways to communicate than by insulting someone. But thanks for the thought.

Blessings!

@snowberry – So, hypothetically speaking, if at some point in the future you are convinced that evolution is real, you would be able to tell all your Christian friends, I’m a Christian who supports evolution?

This is what I would do, but I’ve never encountered a creationist in Germany in real life. The same during my time as a student in Kansas. But we lived in a university town. The only creationists I’ve ever met is on the Internet.

As long as it’s hypothetically speaking, yeah. But I’m not seeing that happening anytime soon. There are Christians who believe in evolution, but the ones I’ve met tend to be quite liberal in their views of what it means to be a Christian. If you never met a creationist in your university town in the US, it’s probably because you didn’t look in the right place. I’m sure they were there. I’ve sure heard things that sound like it would be pretty difficult to be or grow up to be a strong Christian in that country, but not impossible.

There are many conservative Christians in the US who are not creationists. There are very conservative Christians in the Vatican. And they all support evolution. It’s not just a matter of liberal versus conservative.

The country I was referring to above was Germany (sorry I missed that).

There are many denominations that call themselves Christian, but their belief systems vary so widely, they don’t look at all like the same thing. I’m not surprised that you would say there are many evolutionists who are also Christians.

Nevertheless, besides Evolutionists, and Creationists, the Christ I worship also died for Jews, Gentiles, Muslims, Buddhists, Atheists, and Agnostics. His love extends to Blacks, Whites, Asians, American Indians, and Hispanics. He didn’t leave anyone out, not members of any political party, old or young, or someone’s economic status.

@snowberry There are many denominations that call themselves Christian, but their belief systems vary so widely, they don’t look at all like the same thing.

That’s a “no true scotsman” if i’ve ever seen one. At least if you mean that they call themselves christian but they aren’t.

I think the “no true Scotsman” thing comes from the fact that every denomination seems to define itself apart from the others, (the individualistic mentality gone crazy in my opinion). It’s not up to me to judge who’s a Christian and who’s not. However our own scriptures tell us “You will know them by their fruit.” Matthew 7:16

If not every denomination, many of them seem to call themselves “the true” one, or the only one. Maybe I’m missing something, but I can’t see how that attitude honors Christ. As for myself, I’m not a member of any church, although I’m more active in the one I attend than most members are.

The Protestant movement was born out of protest, and although the goal may have been a worthy one, I think that the spirit continues today every time I see a church split, or yet another denomination. When I sat down and thought about how it works, I concluded I’m not at all comfortable with that label, yet I’m not a Catholic either. Too many generations removed to even think of going there.

When Paul wrote to the churches, he wrote to the church (all the believers) in a geographical area. Hence you have “the church of Ephesus, the church of Rome, the church of Corinth, and so on. Yet so many of us persist in defining ourselves as elite members of separate and distinct denominations (“God loves US best!”) rather than the body of Christ in a geographical area that we were meant to be. He was not writing to the Baptists, the Catholics, or the Episcopalians (even if it is called The Church of England). :)

I’d better stop here. This is long enough.

@snowberry that’s an interesting position. And it actually makes my comment void since, with this clarification, it’s clear that you don’t pick the cathegories apart yourself, even though you might have doubts on which one is right.

@snowberry – To me “You will know them by their fruit.” from Matthew 7:16 means

We Christians need to walk the talk. Otherwise Jesus’ message means little. Walking the talk instead of showing missionary zeal. This is my personal goal for things I do in life. At home. At work. While driving a car. This even applies to how I communicate with people on Fluther. And I noticed you got the same approach. We might not agree on evolution but we appreciate each other as human beings. And we both value kindness.

@mattbrowne Personally I see no problem with missionary zeal. The problem comes when we are more about quantity than quality. If in the process of witnessing, the results become more important than our own attitudes and behavior, no wonder Christians have a bad reputation.

It seems to me that if the church as a whole was really about Christlikeness, people would be breaking down the doors to get in there! The fact that they aren’t tells me we are not doing as we should, but that’s my opinion. If sinners flocked to hear every word Christ had to say, then being Christlike must my goal as well. It starts with attitude. Attitude direct thoughts and thoughts direct behavior.

Please don’t misunderstand me. I don’t want to equate tolerance of sin with this. If the time is appropriate, I’ll show them what God has to say about it, but it’s NOT my job to judge anybody, and I certainly won’t beat them over the head about it. This is where I’m likely to get flamed I suppose. Please don’t folks. I’m not the enemy here. I have friends who many Christians would brand as sinners beyond redemption. Perhaps they are and perhaps they aren’t. It’s not my job to sort that out. I can however love them, and I do that wholeheartedly.