Religious Animals

[nailit]

Why are humans the only animals on the planet that *seem* to have religious convictions?
I don't see any chimps or gorillas having wars over religion?
There have been millions of different life forms on this planet and yet it is only humans that wage war over things that cannot be substantiated?

[retrocop]

I think the only wars that animals fight for is their next meal ,territory and domination over their future mate. The price of fish and other bills are of no consequence or consideration and religion is a unknown.

[naomi24]

I don't suppose animals wonder how it all happened.

[Mamyalynne]

We can only presume whether or not any animal has a belief system , none of them have told us or written about it yet.

[woofgang]

Chimps war over other things and eat each other.

[nailit]

//I don't suppose animals wonder how it all happened//

But that's what bugs me, why is man the only animal (out of millions) on the planet that questions these things?

[Baldric]

Too much time on their hands maybe, not enough to do?

[wolf63]

Animals usually only think about NOW.
A dog rolling in Fox poo and having great fun has no capacity to think ahead and worry how much trouble they will be in when they get home.I

I don't know about Apes, I know that Chimps are nasty and that they are our nearest relatives.

[sandyRoe]

Fish say, they have their Stream and Pond; 5
But is there anything Beyond?
This life cannot be All, they swear,
For how unpleasant, if it were!
One may not doubt that, somehow, Good
Shall come of Water and of Mud; 10
And, sure, the reverent eye must see
A Purpose in Liquidity.

This fish, given a voice by Rupert Brook, thought beyond the narrow bounds of its environment.

[nailit]

//Too much time on their hands maybe, not enough to do? //
Yes that will be it Baldric...
Mankind has had nothing to do for thousands of years except invent things such as philosophy, psychology, anthropology etc.
Thanks, thats answered that one!

[Baldric]

Get a life!

[woofgang]

I think its to do with communication as well. Individuals may well speculate about the numinous but you can't have an organised religion without a high level of communication....actually unless you have got the vocabulary for it, you can't even get far thinking about it.

[Tilly2]

Nails, have you read Duncton Wood by William Horwood? It's a story about moles and their belief system. It is truly one of my all time favourites. You might like it.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/878307.Duncton_Wood

[emmie]

religion is just an excuse to have a punch up, or to stir up racial hatred, or any other thing one can think of to do in its name....

[nailit]

//Get a life! //
Thank you. I happen to have one.
However I do question the meaning of it every now and then. Maybe because I have a brain as well and like to ponder things.

[nailit]

Thanks Tills, will have a look :-)

[Baldric]

Do not be arrogant enough to assume I haven't, I just have no time for religion and all the claptrap that goes with it.

[Tilly2]

Let me know what you think, Nails.

[Tilly2]

I don't think it's Nails being arrogant here. Just saying.

[nailit]

//Do not be arrogant enough to assume I haven't//
I don't, what makes you think that I do? Stop wetting youre knickers.

[Baldric]

Trust me Nailit, nothing even damp here :o)