The bible states that humankind was created as God's special creatures, and indeed this view is probably held widely even by biblical non-literalists. Afterall, common theistic beliefs state that humans have been tainted with original sin, humans go to heaven or hell, humans have a soul. The bible even explicitly states:
quote:
Then God said, "And now we will make human beings; they will be like us and resemble us. They will have power over the fish, the birds, and all animals, domestic and wild, large and small." So God created human beings, making them to be like himself. (Gen 1:26-27)
Research on animal intelligence, however, implies that we humans are not quite the special creatures that we sometimes think we are. It appears that various animals are capable of language, the ability to grasp some complex concepts, emotions, and self-awareness. Some argue that the difference between human and animal intellect is only a matter of degree; there is no qualitative difference that sets our intelligence apart from those of dogs, dolphins, and chimpanzees. This is no problem for evolution, which raises no barriers against the parallel development of intelligence in different animals. My question is, does this research pose a problem for theists in general, and creationists in particular? If not, how does one reconcile such research with their religious beliefs?
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