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Man Superior To Other Lifeforms?

Does your religion or belief system teach that Man (as in humankind) is superior to other forms of life (like animals and insects) or is he to be deemed equal? If superior then what governs what he can and cannot do?

Lifeforms To Superior Man

What a fabulous topic to engage in! My former belief system included the dominion of man over all the creatures of the earth as ordained by God to Adam. My belief system since is some what different. I believe that man is to live in harmony with all other species on the planet. I believe in the circle of life in which some creatures are food for others, when we die, we become fertilizer and then encourage plant growth, which those animals then feed on. Its told well in the Lion King movie, but it seems very logical to me. I am not as extreme as the Hindus who believe in the sanctity and preservation of all life including insects. But I believe that you can see God in every living creature and should thus have respect for each living being. This counts even if you are going to each another animal. Never kill a living being with out good purpose. 9

Man Superior To Other Lifeforms? Beliefs Religious General

I hold to the dominion view as Konquerez alluded to regarding Adams relationship to earth life. Of course with the fall... all that changed... but bypassing theology... I believe that man is superior to the rest of the life forms but has a responsibility in a fallen world to manage and tend the planet as originally mandated.

Now if this is living in harmony... I agree... but not as equals. I do not believe animals have the capacity to cognitively make decisions to improve or destroy the planetary system we live on. They are governed by programmed instinct. It is a very subtle difference that separates the philosophy of earth first types that see no distinction and would agonize over a decision to choose which life to save... human or animal...

It's a matter of focus in my view... If one subscribes to Darwinian views of 'survival of the fitest' then the cold hard reality of trying to save the whales is a contradiction in hypocracy. But if one subscribes to a Creator based mandate to govern, tend, and preserve... then our obligation as humans at the top of the chain is clear.