Homo sapiens
Humans, or human beings, are classified by biologists as primates belonging to the mammalian species, Homo sapiens, homo meaning "same", and sapiens meaning "wise", or "understanding" in the taxonomological class Hominidae (the great apes). Some researchers claim humans have possibly been around for approximately 130,000 years[1]. Humans are characterized by highly developed brain capable of abstract reasoning, language, and introspection. This mental capability, combined with an erect body carriage that frees their upper limbs for manipulating objects, has allowed humans to make far greater use of tools than any other species than is known. Humans now inhabit every continent including Antarctica, with a total population of over 6.5 billion as of 2007. Humans have been known to live to ages of just over 100 years.
The origins of Man according to creationists
A large number of Christians, Jews, Muslims and creationists have postulated that Homo sapiens were created in God's image on day 6 of creation.[2]
- And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. (Genesis 1:26-27)
- And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. (Genesis 2:7)
The first man was Adam.
- And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. (Genesis 2:15)
The first woman, Eve, was made from one of his ribs.
- And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. (Genesis 2:22)
Because of the sinful nature of man about 2350 B.C God sent a Great Flood which annihilated all the people on Earth except for the then 600 year old Noah and his family. All people alive today are descendants of Noah and his family.
The origins of Man according to evolution
In more recent times, evolutionists have postulated that humans have been around in anatomically modern form for approximately 130,000 years[3]. One version of the this theory maintains Homo sapiens evolved from Homo ergaster or erectus. Humans' closest living relative is the chimpanzee.
The origins of Man in other religions
According to Hindus, humans were created from a part of the cut up body of Purusha.
References
- ↑ Alemseged Z, Coppens Y, Geraads D (2002). "Hominid cranium from Omo: Description and taxonomy of Omo-323-1976-896". Am J Phys Anthropol 117 (2): 103-12.
- ↑ http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/2313
- ↑ Alemseged Z, Coppens Y, Geraads D (2002). "Hominid cranium from Omo: Description and taxonomy of Omo-323-1976-896". Am J Phys Anthropol 117 (2): 103-12.