While looking through the class’s daily question, there was one that got me stumped and I really think there is no right answer. The question comes from the article Milton Books 2&3 Daily Question—11/10 by psustudent64. In the essay, psustudent64 talks about God’s decision to favor humans over demons. “Why would humans be more favored by Him [God] than say demons? In the book of Genesis, the soil, animals and man were cursed after Adam and Eve bit into the apple. Yet somehow, humans are still considered to be more favored by God? Why wouldn’t that be extended to demons if they were fallen angels?”
To start, I don’t think there is a correct answer, rather some educated guesses by people as to why demons are second to humans on God’s “favorite creatures” scale. My first guess, in Milton’s universe, is that demons are just fallen angels that betrayed God trying to overthrow him. I’m only guessing their joint betrayal put a bad taste in God’s mouth. The thing that separates demons and humans is that humans never betrayed God to the degree that demons have. It is as if humans are more innocent because they don’t know about God 100%, only through faith. That covers why God favors humans over demons, but there’s still why humans are favored over animals. I mean, if anything animals are more innocent than humans, they never betrayed God in any way.
I think the answer lies in why humans were created. The difference between humans and animals is that humans were designed in God’s vision to have free will. It is important for humans to have free will so they are able to cherish and worship God. Seeing the future, God knows this free will will cause humans demise, but doesn’t blame them for it.
“I formd them free, and free they must remain,/Till they enthrall themselves: I else must change/ Thir nature, and revoke the high Decree/ Unchangeable, Eternal, which ordain’d/ Thir freedom, they themselves ordain’d thir fall./ The first sort by thir own suggestion fell,/ Self-tempted, self-deprav’d: Man falls deceiv’d/ By the other first: Man therefore shall find grace,/ The other none: in Mercy and Justice both,/ Through Heav’n and Earth, so shall my glorie excel,/ But Mercy first and last shall brightest shine.”
(Lines 124-134)
Unlike animals, humans are almost meant to fail, but God forgives them for this. All he asks is for humans to worship Him and their sins will be saved. That is why God favors humans over regular animals. Again, this is my guess for Milton’s universe, I’m in no way implying anything about any religions God’s opinion on anything.
