Is Homo sapain a Carbon-based Life form Or in simple terms are humans animals? Yes

IMHO we are animals but God created us to be "rulers" of all the other animals.



BTW arent we headed a little off topic with this??

Yup, and I apologise for my contribution to veering 'off topic' - eep!

After re-reading all the posts, perhaps at least for myself, not being hungry gives me the ability to say certain animals are friends, ergo not meant for my own dinner table. But hungry enough, and who knows.

I hope this question doesn't offend anyone but at one extreme, we'd eat the 'lowliest animal' if on the verge of starving ... but I remember a news story many years ago where plane crash survivers ate some of the other victims in order to stay alive.

Hope this isn't 'off topic' when I ask if, since technically we are both 'animal' and friends with others of our species, how many of us think we could take that final step into 'social taboo' and eat another human? Friend. Sadly, a dead friend - or food?

(I'll understand if our Moderators whip this extreme extention of this thread off - while it's honestly not intended to offend anyone and is an sincere question, I do realize that it's on the 'border').

I dont believe thats too off-topic MaraM. Especially seeing how the thread was going before (the whole humans as animals thing). But thats why I like these boards, as even though they are slightly off-topic its still relevant. I also apreciate that everyone has their own opinion and I didnt mean to be too..um..forceful of mine, if thats the right word.

In answer to your question MaraM... I honestly couldnt say. Sitting here typing with a stomach full of stir fry, the mere thought of it makes my stomach turn. But then, whos to say, if I were literally dieing of hunger and there was absolutely no other food source around... I'd like to think that I would be able to catch something. But then we're back to instincts. Some peoples survival instincts are so strong they would be able to do this (proven by the crash victims), others arent. Good question IMO as for me I cant answer properly. Sitting here now I'd say no, but starve me and inch from death and I will be able to answer properly. Hopefully I'll never have to find out.

What about you MaraM?

To be honest, I really don't know either, athelos (although we've had a mighty interesting after-dinner discussion with friends on this topic a couple years ago and most were "grossed out" and several thought it was "sinful" and/or "immoral").

While I can't be 'sure' of anything, I do suspect that I while I may have a hard time doing it, no matter the circumstances nor how hungry I was, the urge to live burns strong in me. But add my or someone else's child to the mix and have them starving, I strongly think I would not hesitate at all. (Time for the 'morality' of my actions - or the lack of - later when the little ones are home safe and sound).



PM - It's lovely to be able to share thoughts and opinions without there always having to be a solid 'black/white', 'right/wrong'' line -
I've never found your opinions to be "forceful", honestly.