Do stick insects go to heaven?

greenspun.com : LUSENET : Ask Jesus : One Thread

It gets very boring here,in the office,and to keep me company I have a stick-insect called Isiah.He keeps me amused for hours,the loveable little green scamp. Anyway,last sunday,I was in church in my home town of Incontanance,Ohio,and I asked the preist if my sweet little sectopod would join me in Heaven,once I have been saved {I will of coarse be saved;I am a very strict Christian,and i find even the thought of mixed fibres repulsive} and he said no! Do I have to baptise him first? Please tell me what I must do!

-- Bob Kawalski (BobKawalski@Kawalski-accountancy.net), December 27, 2003

Answers

Bob, you might consider Islam. I think they believe that other creatures, besides Man, have souls. Muhammad was like a "Dr. Doolittle" who could talk to the animals.

The common Christian believe is that all of Creation was meant for Man's dominance over it. This sure does imply that only Man has a soul while all other creatures do not. The Woman is one with Man, so she has a soul.

I don't know where the other creature go to when they die, but they are to be taken care of as God's precious creatures, not just ours. I also do not know what happens to chemical changes or the decay of neutrinos. I can't imagine matter becoming nothing; it changes to something else. It never really becomes non-existent; it becomes something else. Your insect will inevitably become the components of something else.

........................................

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), December 27, 2003.


But....

The fact that the animals were created for Man, it would seem logical that Man's first Paradise was here on earth. Man had it made with a place where he could live in bliss surrounded by beauty and the other creatures. Why wouldn't it be impossible for the animals to accompany those souls in Heaven and live alongside?

That is something to think about.

............................................

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), December 27, 2003.


Every thing that is alive has a soul... yes even plants. The soul is what gives us "life" holds our thoughts and animates our bodies. This doesnt mean a plant is as "alive" or concus as we are but to live it needs a soul. The same goes for animals as well. Though i doubt that they will go to heaven... The cant have faith or comperhend things as we can, they simply respond to their inverment.

KeV

-- Kevin Wisniewski (Kez38spl@charter.net), December 27, 2003.


Only humans have souls, animals don't go anywhere when they die.

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), December 27, 2003.

Well I don't know, it's God's creation and he can do whatever he wants.

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), December 27, 2003.


David, I wish you would stop with your ecumenism!

See? It doesn't feel nice when somebody calls you "ecumenical", does it?

There were animals in Genesis. Perhaps their will also be animals in Heaven. I don't know, but if there will be it won't surprise me.

..................................

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), December 27, 2003.


That's nice, Jeanie. But, I don't believe animals have souls, sorry. They have life, but they do not commit sins. If they had a soul, we wouldn't have meat for dinner, now would we?

............................................

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), December 27, 2003.


but rod, they are tainted with sin. Read Genesis, Sin entered the World

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), December 28, 2003.

Tainted with sin does not mean that an animal has a soul. It means that man managed to corrupt his world with sin. Then, God destroyed it because of the evil that men were and made. That means that some of the animals became evil generations. This still does not say that they have souls.

.................................

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), December 28, 2003.


I got your parody. Did you get the theology?

One man's parody is anothers theology.

..........................................

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), December 28, 2003.



Of course dogs go to Heaven. Din't you see the movie? That couple in the garden messed it up. Nobody, man or beast was supposed to die. So why should man live on, while the innocent animals don't.

-- Rover (The@forest.com), December 28, 2003.

Life in a founction of the soul, if something doesnt have a soul its dead. Saying that an animal has a soul doesnt mean they go to heaven, although thats up to God. Their is no life with out a soul, you should know that Rod, after all it is the teaching of the Church.

KeV

P.S I wish my kitty could go with her little cute furry belly but oh well...

-- Kevin Wisniewski (Kez38spl@charter.net), December 29, 2003.


Ok, people, I'm confused about the 'soul'. If the 'soul' gives life, are we talking about all life: microbes, plants, animals?

The 'other' souls are incapable of sinning, but can become evil--mutations as a result of human sins. It is so very difficult to accept the concept of the soul outside of the human condition. I think I've had the wrong understanding for the soul.

There must be different levels or degrees of having a 'soul'.

.......................................

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), December 30, 2003.


KeV wrote:

"Every thing that is alive has a soul... yes even plants. The soul is what gives us "life" holds our thoughts and animates our bodies. This doesnt mean a plant is as "alive" or concus as we are but to live it needs a soul. The same goes for animals as well. Though i doubt that they will go to heaven... The cant have faith or comperhend things as we can, they simply respond to their inverment. "

Well, given that, it would make sense that the other 'life-forms' would make it to Heaven. Why not? I get these mental images of "Paradise" in Genesis--the way it first was meant to be.

"Paradise"--"The Garden"--"Heaven"--"Bliss"--"Home"--"The Kingdom"

Sure, each title has its own connotations, but it ultimately means to return to the way God intended Creation to be like.

............................................

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), December 30, 2003.


The word "soul" is a translation of the Hebrew word "nephesh" which means "breath". God gave all of creation "nephesh" or breath, "soul".

Then go back to Genesis and you will see that God included "all creatures" in His covenant with Noah. Animals are present in almost every major event in the Bible; the birth of Jesus, certainly being the most important.

Why would God give us the pleasure of animals on earth and not in heaven? God rejoices over ALL of His creation, including animals. Certainly Romans chapter 8) talking about the redemption of ALL creation would include animals in the new heavens, would it not?

Gail

-- Gail (rothfarms@socket.net), December 30, 2003.



Rod, "There must be different levels or degrees of having a 'soul'." As a matter of fact yes there are 3 degrees of souls 3.plant soul 2. Animal soul 1.Human soul. This is the teaching of the Church, if you start looking around a bit you will see that. Death is the soul leaving the body, so wouldent you gather that to 'die' you need a soul in the first place? Say that an animal has a soul is not putting them on the leave of a human. They cant 'think' or 'reason' for them selfs, all they know is how to live. Where as a human soul is able to do much more. Ill see if i can find some writings on this teaching and post them.

Happy New Year. Kev

-- Kevin Wisniewski (Kez38spl@charter.net), December 30, 2003.


Thanks, KeV. I've been thinking in the "human" side of things.

............................

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), December 30, 2003.


You'll be hanging with your scamp in the afterlife, it amazes me how little people know about the nature of Gods creation, no, an insects soul will not be to the same level of understanding as a man's, but it's not like animals are mindless atomatons, they have emotions, they just aren't as advanced as us, just as we have emotions and thought processes, we just aren't as advanced as the angels.

-- brian (sales@espresso-outfitters.com), May 23, 2004.

I actually beleive animals both have souls and continue after death.

And am Christain. Ah well...

-- ZAROVE (ZAROFF3@JUNO.COM), May 24, 2004.


I believe animals have souls, but are different fro human souls. If animals make it to heaven, it will be because God puts them there of His choosing. Man's souls has a different plan that involves Salvation, animals do not have such a plan.

............

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), May 24, 2004.


Ah! but animals don't make the grammatical errors that I make.

.........

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), May 24, 2004.


i have heard that, according to the Church of Christ, they do. obvioulsy, that source might be a dubious one so i would make that point and therefore qualify this post as provisional. however, thinking as they do, i guess they believe that stick insects will inherit the earth because the Bible only requires baptism for "man", not animals (and especially not stick insects).

-- Ian (ib@vertifgo.com), May 25, 2004.

will bush go to heaven? after killing so many people?

-- hey i got a good one (blahblah@blah.com), June 30, 2004.

I don't know, but Bush did put Sodamned Insane in a position that would keep him from killing and terrorizing his own countrymen. He also gave Iraq the ability to self-govern itself. And, he has kept terrorism away from my backyard and yours. There are evil ones in this world. I guess, for some, it is difficult to see the real evil ones from those who are trying to rid them of our world. War is bad. The real heros are those soldiers who have been killed while trying to put evil away and those who will come back home alive. They have done the job that you and I didn't do. If Bush is hellbound, where does that put us in the scheme of things? Enjoy your freedom, your joy rides, your safety, and your lives. Many have already paid the full price for our freedoms.

....................

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), June 30, 2004.


I believe that everything that lives on this planet as a "different degree" of a soul. A soul is what makes the difference between an "inanimate object" such as a table (which is made up of wood and particles) and an animal (even though an animal isn't as advanced as humans and only can eat,drink and have sex). They don't possess rational thinking and only act on quick instinct. My take on religion is that humans are evolved during millions of years from mere life forms such as algae to plants to animals, and finally to complex humans (humans possess the aura of INFINITY where they have the ability to make infinite choices which not only affects themselves but people around them). And egregious sin can take a human backward through life forms to even a maggot if that is God's will. Being a human is the greatest privilege in the universe and it must be taken very seriously. Or else we might never even get another chance to live in one of the highest planes of God's civilization. I sure don't want to live an animals life having no conscious thought or the ability to make decisions!

-- Praveen Sriram (Camden003@msn.com), July 17, 2004.

Well, there are people who have regressed to the primitive animalistic mode of "instinctive" reactions--murderers, rapists, and terrorists (to name a few). Funny, animals don't seem to have premeditation like some lower humans.

............

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), July 17, 2004.


The Curate Thinks You Have No Soul

The Curate thinks you have no soul;
I know that he has none. But you,
Dear friend, whose solemn self-control,
In our foursquare familiar pew,
Was pattern to my youth--whose bark
Called me in summer dawns to rove--
Have you gone down into the dark
Where none is welcome--none may love?
I will not think those good brown eyes
Have spent their life of truth so soon;
But in some canine paradise
Your wraith, I know, rebukes the moon,
And quarters every plain and hill,
Seeking his master...As for me,
This prayer at least the gods fulfill:
That when I pass the flood and see
Old Charon by the Stygian coast
Take toll of all the shades who land,
Your little, faithful, barking ghost
May leap to lick my phantom hand.

St. John Lucas

.......................................

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), July 17, 2004.


I don't know who St. John Lucas is. I'm not sure if he is a real saint or just a poet with a self given name.

.........................

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), July 17, 2004.


Yes, of course animals go to heaven. My animals are my best friends next to God. God spelled backwards is Dog both being mans best friend. Animals were blessed with special instincts that let them comfort us in ways we cannot comfort one another. I believe that God blessed me with my animals to love and be loved. Heaven is a resting place for us after our work is done. I could not imagine resting without my animals. I could not see happiness without eternity with my pets.

-- Angi Cramer (AngiCramer@aol.com), August 17, 2004.

This has been a very resilient post.

I have to say I like seeing it pop up---Its like an old friend.

Thank You Bob Kawalski!

-- Jim (furst@flash.net), August 17, 2004.


Christine Brinkley, Christina Aguilera, Naomi Campbell,...., all are prima facie capable of being saved provided they become Catholic and obtain absolution of mortal sin.

so, yes, a stick insect can go to heaven -- subject to certain (onerous) conditions.

-- Ian (ib@vertifgo.com), August 19, 2004.


Humans have a very human-centric view of the universe. It is rather amusing and very childlike. I think it is similar to a baby's view that he or she controls the world. Yes animals have souls and go to heaven. And for those who consider them lesser, consider the how well you could hunt a mouse on your own compared to a cat. Or rescue someone buried in an avalanche as compared to a dog. Animals do not need to be saved because unlike their human creatures, they do not sin, lie, steal, cheat and do all the rest of that blessed human activity. Animals have souls and I know they go to Heaven. So go read the verse "the lion will lie down with the lamb" and understand what it means.

-- Blessed To Know Them (lillyov@hotmail.com), August 26, 2004.

"Animals do not need to be saved because unlike their human creatures, they do not sin, lie, steal, cheat and do all the rest of that blessed human activity. "

I read that the Native American cultures did not have the concept of sin.

I wonder why God would send His only begotten Son to be sacrificed for us mortal humans? How important are we in comparison to the beasts? Why is our creation, our existence, so important that God would do such a thing for us? Why not create us like the beasts, that cannot sin? Most importantly, why were those animals destroyed in the Great Flood? Were those animals evil? I think some were and some are. So, why does it say in Genesis that man was to name the beasts and have dominion over them?

Why would God place the beasts alongside Man in the first place?

.....

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), August 26, 2004.


I don't mean to make light of this--- (one of my favorite reapearing posts.) But truthfully, I wouldn't mind running into a few of my old dogs again one day.

Not to place them on a higher level than my fellow man, but I often miss and think about them almost as much as I think about some of my long lost relatives. (actually a bit more than those I didn't know that well.)

Lets face it,-- if you are going to believe in heaven why not believe in dogs (and cats, maybe canaries) after death. I'm a dog person. I'd be happier in the afterlife with my furry family.

I've never posed as a theologian.

-- Jim Furst (furst@flash.net), August 28, 2004.


This leads me to another thought. I'm going to ramble a bit. Don't feel you have to respond or read. (I have little patience for long wordy posts unless they're mine)

Why is it that some find the idea of transubstantiation so unbelievable---especially if they are ultimately going to believe everything else? Resurrection? Heaven? Life after? None of these are particularly harder or easier to believe in if put in that perspective.

I've been through a period of not believing anything. That period, at the time seemed very sensible to me. I certainly never had to justify it to myself. Simply never thought about it much.

My more recent approach is more comforting, but at the same time brings me face to face with my most difficult adversary which is "faith."

Catholicism, which believe it or not I consider to be Christanity, is a very workable path back (for me)to believing in what I was taught many years ago to be true. There is something about the Mass that moves me and touches me in a way that it never did before. I suspect this validly happens to others through the word as experienced by scripture, and through "faith alone" etc.

But honestly, when I read how some people reject or almost hate certain "beliefs" or dogma that Catholics hold,--- consider them as being absurd,--- really I ask how can we believe any of the other things that we as "Christians" are supposed to believe. (Other than Loving our enemies, and turning the other cheek) THats the easy part. Its not like this is all some form of reasonable science. Even if it is written.

It really seems like a form of modern day, civilized tribalism. We argue each other to death with out actually --- fortunately coming to blows (at least these days.) Has anybody changed any part of their religious mind? Are we any closer in agreement? Maybe thats not the point. Do we argue salvation to support our own belief that we have obtained it? Does that in turn soothe the anxiety that some of us feel about death.

Personally, I don't think we will find out till we finish our life, (and hopefully we did (our life) well. If that smacks of a "works" point of view --- I can't help it. You grow into something like that, it comes from your parents, teachers and it becomes your position. Maybe your tribe. Just a little different way of thinking about things. We almost come to the same conclusion, but our path infuriates each other. This is unfortunate.

I don't know if stick insects go to heaven but hope some are there if I am.

I'm done.

-- Jim Furst (furst@flash.net), August 28, 2004.


"Why is it that some find the idea of transubstantiation so unbelievable" - Jim

Because it's an idea not found in scripture, but forced upon it.

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), August 28, 2004.


I've been reading about the beginnings of Judaism. Judaism was a mash of diverse cultures each with their own theologies and doctrines. Some would argue that it was and still is steeped with paganism. Then, the greatests of all things happened--The Transubstantiation of God in Jesus Christ. We can't exactly refute that God came down to earth as a man, without a full out fist fight. People will get hurt or killed. Jesus was crucified. So, it boils down to believing or not. We still have the multiple forms of Judaism and then there is Christianity, the multiple forms of it. The Jews couldn't agree, so why should the Christians agree? Well, forget agreeing and concentrate on believing, that's my resolve. Hopefully, all who believe may one day agree. Yes, I had a dog that seemed to favor me. She was the most affectionate animal I had ever met. I had to send her away. I'm guessing she lived out her life happily running/strolling around that big farm house I surrendered her to. She brought me joy and calm to my then tribulant life. God knows what He is doing with His creations.

.........................

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), August 28, 2004.


Jim,

I liked your long post. You said a lot of things I've thought myself. I've come to appreciate faith a lot better myself after journeying in the "wilderness" for a while. Going back and reading John 6 in light of all the disbelief about transubstantiation gives me a better understanding of verses like

"The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying: How can this man give us his flesh to eat?"

"And he said: Therefore did I say to you that no man can come to me, unless it be given him by my Father. After this, many of his disciples went back and walked no more with him. Then Jesus said to the twelve: Will you also go away? And Simon Peter answered him: Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. "

" It is the spirit that quickeneth: the flesh profiteth nothing. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. "

It's certainly only by faith and the spirit and not by looking for physical evidence that anyone can believe in Christ's real presence and transubstantiation. Not many people understand the theory of relativity either, but that doesn't mean it's not true.

-- Andy S ("ask3332004@yahoo.com"), August 28, 2004.


David,

You made the comment to Jim regarding disbelief in transubstantiation: Because it's an idea not found in scripture, but forced upon it.

That's the same argument used against Sola Scriptura.

-- Andy S ("ask3332004@yahoo.com"), August 28, 2004.


"Not many people understand the theory of relativity either, but that doesn't mean it's not true. "-Andy.

Ha! people during Einstein's day were scratching their heads wondering who would be able to determine if Einstein's theories were correct. Only a handful of scientists could actually debate his theories (I think only 3 men alive could even be considered). I've tried to make some kind of comprehension of Einstein's theory of the cosmos. His Cosmological Constant Equation, for me, seems to allude of God's hand in the universe. Einstein couldn't exactly put his finger on it, but he did stumble upon a mystery of the universe. I sense that, deep inside, Einstein believed he was understanding God's work and perhaps understanding God. That's a giant leap of cognitive understanding. I'm intrigued by clocks.

................

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), August 28, 2004.


Hi!

Because it's an idea not found in scripture, but forced upon it. - David Ortiz

Long before a canon of scriptures was formalized, Ignatius of Antioch wrote in his letter to the Smyrnaens(c. 100AD)

CHAPTER VI--UNBELIEVERS IN THE BLOOD OF CHRIST SHALL BE CONDEMNED.

Let no man deceive himself. Both the things which are in heaven, and the glorious angels, and rulers, both visible and invisible, if they believe not in the blood of Christ, shall, in consequence, incur condemnation. "He that is able to receive it, let him receive it." Let not [high] place puff any one up: for that which is worth all is a faith and love, to which nothing is to be preferred. But consider those who are of a different opinion with respect to the grace of Christ which has come unto us, how opposed they are to the will of God. They have no regard for love; no care for the widow, or the orphan, or the oppressed; of the bond, or of the free; of the hungry, or of the thirsty.

CHAPTER VII.--LET US STAND ALOOF FROM SUCH HERETICS.

They abstain from the Eucharist and from prayer, because they confess not the Eucharist to be the flesh of our Saviour Jesus Christ, which suffered for our sins, and which the Father, of His goodness, raised up again. Those, therefore, who speak against this gift of God, incur death in the midst of their disputes. But it were better for them to treat it with respect, that they also might rise again. It is fitting, therefore, that ye should keep aloof from such persons, and not to speak of them either in private or in public, but to give heed to the prophets, and above all, to the Gospel, in which the passion [of Christ] has been revealed to us, and the resurrection has been fully proved. But avoid all divisions, as the beginning of evils.

I don't think Ignatius of Antioch needed Sola Scriptura since he was a disciple of Saint John the Evangelist and probably heard it from the proverbial horse's mouth himself.

Was Ignatius wrong for believing the Eucharist is the flesh of our Lord Jesus Christ?

What are your thoughts?

God bless,

-- Vincent (love@noemail.net), August 28, 2004.


Did Ignatius believe it magically turned into Jesus' flesh or ....what?

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), August 28, 2004.

Oops! Slip of the fingers:

I don't think Ignatius of Antioch needed Sola Scriptura...

I don't think he needed scriptures to make his point...

-- Vincent (love@noemail.net), August 28, 2004.


Did Ignatius believe it magically turned into Jesus' flesh or ....what

Obviously, magic has nothing to do with it. God doesn't need to work magic, but He can work miracles. Now, Ignatius makes it clear - however it turned into Jesus' flesh, IT DID.

Please read what I posted!

-- Vincent (love@noemail.net), August 28, 2004.


Also,

Postulating by what supernatural mechanism it turns into the flesh of Christ does not affect the fact that it does become the flesh of Christ. As Ignatius says, it is a gift of God.

-- Vincent (love@noemail.net), August 28, 2004.


Exactly, James.

-- Andy S ("ask3332004@yahoo.com"), August 29, 2004.

Andy, what did James say? I don't see him in this thread at all? Do you mean Jim?

-- Emily ("jesusfollower7@yahoo.com), August 29, 2004.

Emily,

I think James' posts may have been deleated from this thread. He is another Catholic contributer. I'm not sure what happend.

-- Jim (furst@flash.net), August 29, 2004.


Emily,

I said in response to: "Why is it that some find the idea of transubstantiation so unbelievable" - Jim

Because its a hard teaching, who can accept it?

David banned me because I don't think that he has the right to call me a jerk. It seems that there are two sets of rules here, one for David and one for the rest of us.

-- James (stinkcat_14@hotmail.com), August 29, 2004.


Yes, that's exactly it (not). Now beat it.

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), August 29, 2004.

David?

Did you get my email? Are we okay?

-- ("faith01@myway.com"), August 29, 2004.


Yes Faith, all is ok.

-- David Ortiz (cyberpunk1986@hotmail.com), August 29, 2004.

Do any of your believe in the idea of reincarnation after death?

-- Praveen Sriram (Camden003@msn.com), October 05, 2004.

I can't speak for everyone here Praveen, but I'd have to say that I don't. That is because reincarnation contradicts Christian truth. Do you believe in reincarnation?

-- Andy S ("ask3332004@yahoo.com"), October 05, 2004.

I believe in reincarnation of matter. Everything turns into something else when it ceases to be what it used to be. A fallen tree becomes a decayed substance that is then utilized by another substance and so on. Now, do I believe that the soul becomes something else? No. We have only one soul--one life. Our souls is eternal.

.......................

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), October 05, 2004.


Our souls are eternal.

..............

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), October 06, 2004.


God has revealed that "it is appointed for men to die ONCE and after this comes [not reincarnation, but] judgment. (Hebrews 9:27)

-- Paul M. (PaulCyp@cox.net), October 06, 2004.

Wow, there's only one post on this whole enlivening thread that really ticks me off.

"...an animal isn't as advanced as humans and only can eat,drink and have sex). They don't possess rational thinking and only act on quick instinct...I sure don't want to live an animals life having no conscious thought or the ability to make decisions!" - Praveen Sriram

Can only eat, drink, and have sex?? What is it when a cat purrs? What does it mean when a dog saves a human's life? Why do whales sing, and change their songs every few years? "Considerable research on the behaviour of the common octopus has been carried out in Italy. Not only do these animals learn quickly to avoid hazards like mild electric shocks, but other specimens watching the training process, learn even faster than the individuals which are learning by doing. Scientists Graziano Fiorito and Pietro Scotto in 1992 in the journal Science describe the case of a spectator octopus watching from an adjacent tank. The spectator learned to make the correct choice after only four observations. The actual trainee on the other hand took sixteen tries to make the correct choice. The ability to learn by watching is so impressive that the authors call it the first step toward forming abstract ideas (concepts)."

Animals feel joy, can't you see that? Haven't you ever heard a dog sigh? Or music. There have been several studies correlating plant growth with classical music. Plants near to the music grow faster and healthier. They can't hear, but they can feel. They feel the vibrations in the air; translate it, in a sense. Everything makes decisions, every single day. It's impossible not to. When you put a mouse in a wheel, it can make up its own mind whether to get down or run. There is so much proof for animals having emotions, imagination, and intelligence that your refusal to accept it is purely self-centered and quite frankly pathetic. It's that kind egocentric view that ruins the world for those who have the ability to empathize, even when they can't speak the language.

-- Kay Peace (striscia@gmail.com), December 02, 2004.


Hi Kay.

Does it sound more like your argument could be taken either of two ways? Either a "specimen" has higher order thinking and behaves in respect to that conscienceness or it only is behaving in respect to response and stimuli. In which case, if we are to lump all life forms into one mix, we too are merely creatures of response to stimuli, but at a more complex nature, minus the "conscienceness" factor. Or, all life is conscience with accidental response to stimuli.

We, too, yawn. There are two reasons: lack of oxygen in our system, lack of stimuli in our thoughts. I sense a dual nature: biochemical vs. spiritual.....hmm.

......................

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), December 03, 2004.


Why does a person step on an ant? What is the driving force behind the act of killing an ant?

..............

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), December 03, 2004.


I'll kill an ant if its on my kitchen table near my jelly sandwitch. But really, if I had my drothers, I'd pick it up and throw it out the window as I do moths and other harmless pests.

I've always had an unreasonable respect for all forms of underdog.

-- Jim (furst@flash.net), December 03, 2004.


I have actually found myself yeilding the right of way to a line of ants on the sidewalk. I'm either going insane or have come to my senses.

............

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), December 03, 2004.


Rod---You Crazy Musician! Welcome back to sanity. The ant parade had the right of way and you recognized it.

Glory be!

I've always liked this thread. Comes back like an old friend-- you like.

-- Jim (furst@flash.net), December 03, 2004.


St. John Lucas poem can also be seen HERE.

......................

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), December 06, 2004.


Whenever I see an old lady slip and fall on a wet sidewalk, my first instinct is to laugh. But then I think, what is I was an ant, and she fell on me. Then it wouldn't seem quite so funny.

-- beejai (bee_jai@yahoo.com), December 07, 2004.

Not me! I'm amazed. It is just so amazing watching an ant have the guts and strength to trip the lady in the first place.

...........................

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), December 07, 2004.


Ants can lift many, many times their own weight.

"National Geographic"

-- Jim (furst@flash.net), December 07, 2004.


What do you call an ant on drug rehab?

"anti-acid".

What do you call an ancient ant?

"antique"

What do you call an ant that can outrun you?

"antipasta"

What do you call an ant that decorates ant colonies?

"anterior decorator"

What was the first ant's name?

"Adam Ant"

Sorry....

........

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), December 07, 2004.


Moderation questions? read the FAQ