If I may add another thought along this line. What is it that makes one “HUMAN”? And I use the word, “one” intentionally, so as not to limit the possibilities of who or what can be defined as human. There are those who believe that it is mans brain and intellectual capacity that makes him human; by his ability to understand and absorb knowledge. Here we go with the tree story! Or is it ones level of empathy, which makes one human? If the latter is the case, which I suggest it is, than those who people the earth must approach their own existence with a certain level of humility. Adam was a man and yet it is said that he was made in gods image; (my small “g”) for surely only a lesser god would find it necessary to “create” in the first place. One question might be, to determine if man – Adam can indeed become human; and exactly how does this process reveal itself? How do we indeed learn or become empathetic? Is it a natural process or are some born this way, by natural selection? Job

I'm interested in this, too ~ I'll start a new thread.

Topic: What makes us human?
http://www.wineintro.com/forum/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=13&t=000596

As we have been talking about Adam & Eve lately, I'm reviving some relevant old threads, including this one.

See also:
'Apples'
http://www.wineintro.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=291006&fpart=1

hi--maybe the fruit of knowledge means what was born of the knowledge. Adam's (man) limited self-knowledge gave him indigestion once he swallowed it. Perhaps a more encompassing knowledge bears healthier fruit.--nicolo

Actually, I find this subject fascinating.

I do not believe that God made a clay couple who came to life and ate a forbidden apple or fig or pomegranate.

However, I do think that, at some stage, mankind became 'aware' and 'knowing'. I think that the idea of eating of the tree of knowledge and becoming 'as God' reflects this. I am intrigued that people from an ancient tribe should have come up with an allegory to describe this phenomenon.

If you reply evolution happens over an extremely long time I will agree with you but time hasn't stopped since as we should see apes changing to humans in our life time...

I know this was posted a long time ago, and the original poster seems to have long since stopped coming here, so it's perhaps pointless to comment. But this kind of argument always makes me want to laugh, or cry.

EVOLUTION DOES NOT WORK THAT WAY!

If people want to try to attack the T of E, they ought to at least learn what it actually says first.

hi PDM, i like the subject too. i don't think god made a clay couple, the myth suggests that people are made of the elements of the earth, which of course we are. Human consciousness at some point reached a stage of self-awareness, consciousness itself became an allegory for life other than just physical existence.
That an ancient tribe (so glad you didn't say "primitive", haha)should develop myth, stories etc. is really not so amazing when you consider how close folks lived to the earth, and how it sustained them. It would have been more shocking and mysterious had they not come up with any attempts to understand themselves and their relationship to the universe. Even today, children (representing a similar evolution microcosmic) develop their own myths and understandings to form relationships. As they grow older, it seems they gain knowledge but lose sustaining relationships with the earth--pure data is dry and lifeless. Without myth and idea we lose an untold wealth of history and continuity--spiritual assets promoting psychological stability.
The knowledge we "picked" from the tree is still green, although it sustains us, it give indigestion. Perhaps if we let it ripen, it won't sour our faces and words from our lips.--nicolo

Yes, we have lost a closeness with the earth and with nature.
It must have affected us greatly.

Yes, Joe, I can't say that I know everything about evolution, but I can see that a lot of people misunderstand the idea completely.


By the way ~ where is that quote from?