Humans and Animals are not the Same

There is a troubling trend in our society to reduce humanity to ‘just another’ animal in the ecosystem. More and more consider our having dominion over the earth as a sin or even misplaced power. Activists search for examples of ‘human behavior’ in animals as a means of distraction from certain behaviors. We are not the same.

Brethren, not all flesh is alike, but there is one kind for men, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish. There are celestial bodies and there are terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory. So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory.  It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body. Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

1^st Corinthians 15:39-45

The ancients knew the difference. Why is that we have become so much ‘smarter’ and yet degrade our existence to mere flesh and bones with a combination of urges and reflexes? Think back to the temptation of Eve in the Garden.

The serpent said to Eve, “For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3.5) The devil already knew humans were special, so he had to capitalize on Eve’s innocence. So, he tricked her into questioning her purpose.

The devil was right in one thing. God did know we would become like Him, but that was always the plan. Being like God was the gift He planned when He created. “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” (Genesis 1.26)

Nothing proves we are not the same as animals as much as being created in the image of God. Nothing says we are different more than having dominion over everything. Now, let’s get back to Saint Paul’s teaching for today.

Since our ancestors fell to temptation, we live in a fallen world inclined toward sin. We cannot avoid temptation. We cannot avoid pain and struggle. We will sin, but because we are not ‘just’ animals we can also repent.

For all these reasons our body, when it dies, “is sown in dishonor.” Because of God’s love and grace, it “is raised in glory.” Not a single animal in the created world has that gift. The gift is worthy of a different life. We are worthy of a different life. A life of love and mercy rather than urges and reflexes.

Stop making excuses for sin by telling yourself, “It is just an urge.” Animals live by urges. Humans live by free will. Stop letting yourself off the hook by explaining away your sin. Start holding yourself accountable and go to confession. Stop living like an animal and start living like a human being, in control of your choices.