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?

[scorpiojo]

Mibs

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/content/dam/animals/thumbs/rights-exempt/invertebrates/p/praying-mantis_thumb.ngsversion.1497301190902.adapt.1900.1.jpg

[Mamyalynne]

I thought he meant 'count' but that's Adders isn't it.

[scorpiojo]

:-)

[mibn2cweus]

Thanks for the revival SJ

[bainbrig]

If you broaden the question AWAY from a belief in a divine being, then it gets more interesting.

Google animal altruism - some very interesting examples of ‘un-animal-like’ behaviour.

Also, most pet owners (me included) will have tales to tell of non-humans behaving if not selflessly, certainly not with the total self-centredness of many humans.

BB

[naomi24]

I don't doubt that animals experience emotion ... but that's hardly the same thing as inventing religion as humans have .... which is the subject of the OP.

[bainbrig]

Blah blah blah.

Read the first line of my answer.

[naomi24]

If you're talking to me, bainbrig, I read it and I agreed with you - but carry on blah, blah, blahing.

[Theland]

Ill get the frock dry cleaned Naomi, and send it back. Thanks. Next time I do drama , I may ask for something else. Thanks for the loan.

[naomi24]

You're welcome.

[Theland]

Thank you N.

[Atheist]

Emmie! It's so lovely to be able to agree with you about something! (your comments about religion). I wish some of the others wouldn't be so rude about each other.

[Atheist]

Nailit. I presume that we are the most intelligent species on this planet, and so we are able to come up with ideas and speculations about the universe outside our own little mudpond. That's good; but it's also a recipe for conflict of theories and ideas. Chimps can live simple lives, eating what they can find, and killing when necessary. Humans have more complex ideas, and unfortunately they use them to bolster their needs to outwit and outkill their rivals.

[Theland]

Trying to outwit ABers. Off to another category.