Some humans can be animals but animals can never be humans.

Human nature from birth is bad (trying to leave theology out). We learn good and bad as taught to us or not taught! Animals learn what is good for them or bad as far as survival goes and what physically hurts. Instinct is there guiding force.

Hang on ..... So we humans are better than animals because we have a soul?

And the existence of said soul ~ so far in this discussion ~ is being said to be neither provable, nor deniable? Am I about right? (Sorry. Can't be bothered to dissect and replant every post in here)

So: How do we know the other animals don't have souls too? Or be as soulless as we. Depending on ye slant. But, maybe that's getting a bit more theological than Lots Of Mink requested?

Lots Of Mink; I think of Cancer.

What Is cancer? As far as I know, it's something about Cells going haywire.

And, I saw somewhere, how 'Cancer is the only parasite which actively sets out to kill the very organism it depends on for its own survival.' It, effectively, commits suicide by killing us.

Weird! What? It exists, inside us, only to kill us. Then die itself, because we're no longer around to sustain it? Wow!

LOM, why would you say we simply destroy nature? How much nature does the average human destroy?
Does living in a city that was built before you were born mean you destroyed nature?
What about the humans that create habitat and nature reserves? Would they still be considered as someone who simply destroys nature? Does being human mean we only destroy and destruct?

Have any animal populations gone up because of humans?

Would any animals be extinct if humans didn’t exist?

Why did you say animals live in nature with nature as if that was all cute and cuddly and not destructive?

Do you think a deer or elk or moose is thinking what a great life here in nature while it’s being chased and eaten alive by wolves?

Is that coyote with mange and starving thinking this is so awesome, glad there’s nothing destructive in nature?

Why was the only thing you said about being human was destroy?

I don’t expect you to reply since you dropped the mic and walked out. But something to think about.

So I guess some senses are just natural. How does a dog hours after a animal has gone by pick up the scent and go in the right direction. I have seen some back trackers in the dog field but some humans are back trackers just in a different way. Some would call out of the ordinary things special talents and seems the more they are used the better they get. If it was all about a given sense then why wouldn't it just be as good as it gets when you get it.

Isn't there sometimes copyrights broken but the owner still allows free use if we just acknowlege the owner?
When you leave God out, there is always another type or fake to replace Him. That's just like telling everyone that faux fur is the best but not allowing a comparison to the real thing. To study a person is different than knowing him. So while you may make a fence to guide a discussion the way you may want it to go, there is always a few know so people that look for that gap to escape.

I guess one bigger difference is that animals don't astral project; or do they have a silver cord too?

Sometimes you just can't take the country out of the boy!

Amen to that!

These types of discussions are riddled with generalizations, posing as facts.
Psychology theory is a fascinating field of study built upon premise, understanding all humanistic truth is built upon each person's internal and societal influences. We're a bright and gifted bunch, us humans, but if you haven't studied psychology theory, you haven't discovered the complexity of how we humans discover "truth."
Simply stated; there are no humans alive that hold no biases at a "human" psychological level.
None.
So much so, that the new and improved methodology of positivism (heralded in the 1800 and early 1900's) where each "new" discovery is "built upon" and "builds up" the body of science evidence... has all but been discredited. What was "obvious" 100 years ago, is of lesser value today, because those studying the scientists discovered an interesting trend; researchers in all major areas of study tend to seek to study what they already believe. Imagine that. Huh.
So today, they call it progressivism. Same deal. Different label. Supposedly, facts and measurable observances are being discovered leading us "progressively" forward.
Sounds wishy washy to me and I'm a scientist.

Doesn't mean we don't drive nicer trucks and have better cell phones. Great inventions are continuously brought forward.
It just means that some topics and categories of discovery are beyond our humanistic, empiricist, rationalistic, theorizing ability to land smack dab on the end all truth with a capital T.

We are an interesting bunch, us humans. Of that, there can be no doubt. I often wish (not pray) that the evolutionary cascade would click over to the next cog in the wheel cause the wheel has been stalled and stuck on "you've got to be kidding me" for as long as humans have been jotting down lab notes.

Blessings,
Mark

^^^^^^
A perfect example of the depravity of mankind. Animals were programmed about sex, so were humans; then along came our desire to show that we know better than God. Many people think they do know better; how foolish.
Freewill at work.

This place has just become sad. Oh how I wish I was just half as smart as some of you think you are.

One test will tell you if animal or human.
Ask “Does this life form make and use fire?”
If yes, then human.
If not, then not human.
There, I settled this for everyone.

There is a species of primates which have figured out how to, and have started having camp fires.

These are individuals of different species that have been taught by humans. Put them in the Forest with no humans or tools provided by humans, they will ignite no fires.

I am not sure that is accurate. We use about 100 bulls to breed our dairy herd. When they do not have access to the cows they routinely resort to each other.

Humans have rational and abstract thought. This can be seen in mathematics, and the arts.

Can’t leave God and our associated faith in such religion out of discussion

Exactly

The animals do what they were created for.

Humans have a choice whether or not to do what they were created for.

Or to leave theology out of it..

Animals can't make choices in their behavior.

Humans can make choices.

Can anyone show me animal money and how they use it?

Antifa?