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Is human life unique and sacred?
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I think it is. I believe we all have a purpose to affect the world in some way and we will all fulfill this purpose within our lifetime.
If we believe Human life is so sacred, then why do people want to have abortions?
Just curious . . .
Dr. Carl Sagan once said; "Out of the billions and billions of stars out there, can we ever really believe that we Humans are alone in this vast universe?"
It has been scientifically proven that we Humans did not evolve from monkeys and apes, and that fact makes us Humans rather unique to this planet.
Are we unique to this universe? Or is Dr. Sagan right?
Will we ever know "from whence we came?"
Just my not-so-humble opinion.
That is true. I guess we put teenage human life over the unborn.
I thought the theory of evolution was scientifically proven.
I'm not a religious believer. I accept evolution as a scientific fact. And yet, I would clearly come down on the side of yes to this topic. We are the one species capable of shaping our world based on an understanding of its mechanisms and nature. We have sent a space craft beyond the reaches of our planets and have walked on the surface of the moon. We have shaped and cultivated plant and animals according to our own desires and purposes, and if life is to ever spread beyond the oasis of its origin that we call Earth, it shall be through our will and our achievement. The Earth will not last forever, and if it is to continue, to survive it shall be through our hands. it is not so much that we are sacred, but that if there is anything in life that can be said to be sacred, then it most clear and evident in humanity and its undertakings. I hold as a personal belief that human achievement is sacred, and (by extension) human life to be precious.
Because people are scared. That is a totally different issue. Yes they should have thought about the consequences of their actions, but having a child at a certain point in your life can in fact ruin your own life.
I never had to even worry about a case like this, but think about it from your own shoes. That will change your opinion.
We are obviously not alone in the world with the other billions of galaxies in the universe.
Very well said. I second that.
Sometimes I think we need a legal definition as to when life actually begins, if for nothing else other than to clarify the issue.
Andrew, you said; “I accept evolution as a scientific fact” . . . Please give me the evidence that has convinced you of this – and to be fair, let’s leave religion out of this.
You also said; “I hold as a personal belief that human achievement is sacred, and (by extension) human life to be precious.” . . . . . Would you put the Human achievement of someone like Adolf Hitler to be “sacred”? If so why? Wouldn’t it be better said that Human life is sacred and good Human achievements to be admired?
Just asking.
I was going to give an in depth respond to this post, but then you forced a comparison between me and Hitler.
I understand by that statement that you cannot provide the evidence I requested since all I did was quote you.
No, I am not comparing YOU with Adolph Hitler, I am asking you to reveal what it is that makes you believe that evolution is a scientific fact.
Second question is are you talking about just one individual's human acheivement or all human acheivement (the good along with the bad).
Again, would it be better said that human life is sacred and good Human acheivements to be admired?
Please do not misunderstand my intentions – this is NOT a personal attack on you, just questions to clarify your statements.
The following evidence has convinced me of the truth of evolution (I will provide 1 example with each type of evidence I list):
1) Proof of genetic adaptation in micro organisms (Example http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn14094-bacte... – This shows that genes do mutate and that the resulting mutations can have an impact on how well a species survives.
2) Fossil evidence showing species in transition from one form of creature to another (Example http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/09/dinosau... – This shows how species have changed and evolved over time.
3) Radiological dating (Example http://science.howstuffworks.com/carbon-142.htm) – This provides proof as to the age of the fossils that we find.
4) Genetic markers of ancestry and continued evolution (Example http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/03/0... – With genetics we can see just what species are descended from what other species and track the specific traits that are changing in creatures now (including ourselves.)
5) We've been modifying plants and animals through breeding and selection for hundreds of years ourselves (Example – http://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/Genetics...
6) The notion of irreducible complexity has been proven false (Example – http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/library/01/1/l_... – And I'll be happy to provide any more examples of this that you ask for.
As to my own personal morality. I think this video can explain it fairly clearly.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfgFd9MJYg8
I find this to be a very strange question. Life in and of itself is unique. We don't know how or why life is possible. So, the life of every single entity is unique, both in its collective and individual form.
As to its sacredness, this is hard for me to answer since I don't believe in a god or gods. If the question is meant in terms that each life is precious, then I would agree with it, provided it included all life forms.
My original statement is as follows; "It has been scientifically proven that we Humans did not evolve from monkeys and apes, and that fact makes us Humans rather unique to this planet."
As you can plainly see I did not dispute that fact that plants and animals adapt and "evolve", just the fact that we humans did not evolve from primates – we are two distinctly different species. Please do not talk about the closeness of humans to chimpanzies as we humans share DNA traits with literally every species of mammal on this planet.
I also did not question your morality, nor will I.
I do question your reluctance to address the question of "Wouldn't it be better said that Human life is sacred and good Human achievements are to be admired?"
You state; "Life in and of itself is unique. We don't know how or why life is possible."
I contend that is an erroneous statement as many theorists (not theologins) have put forth many theories as to why life exists.
I also question your stated disbelief in a higher power. But that is nothing but my personal opinion.
Who? And what?
I'm not sure where you get your scientific facts from. They seem to differ greatly from the ones I know of.
one word….adoption!
In my college Psychology class, we just learned about prenatal development and at conception you inherit all of your genes immediately from your parents. Since genes are the makeup for your entire personality and character, then it is easy to say that at conception you are already a human being, existing, the only thing lacking is a human body, fully developed, in which to reside and act.
Each and every person is different in the most minute and yet extravagant ways. I find myself amazed at each person that I encounter and, though I don't have any scientific sources or url sites for you to visit I find the only thing that addresses my question about the value of life is one man's poem. "For You formed my inward parts; you covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. -King David
That is not surprising. Sadly.
No. It isn't. It's interesting, and most human beings tend to have some unique capacities from each other (specializations), but that's about as far as I'm willing to go.
As for the sacred part, give me a break. That's just something we tell ourselves so we'll feel more important when we kill something to survive. Or each other for amusement.