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'''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 modern humans have possibly been around for approximately 130,000 years<ref>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.</ref>. 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.  

'''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<ref>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.</ref>. 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. According to certain Creationist and Jewish views, God has limited the lifespan of man to 120 years. (Genesis 6:3 and the lifespan of [[Moses]] Deut 34:7)

== The Origins of Man according to Creationists ==

== The Origins of Man according to Creationists ==

A large number of [[Christian|Christians]], Jews, and Muslims have postulated that Homo sapiens were created in [[God|God's]] image on day 6 of [[creation]].[http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/2313]

A large number of [[Christian|Christians]], Jews, Muslims and [[Creationism|Creationists]] have postulated that Homo sapiens were created in [[God|God's]] image on day 6 of [[creation]].[http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/2313]

:''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 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)

:''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.

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)

:''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.

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)

:''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 (according to the Young Earth Creationist view) [[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 [[Family of Noah|Noah and his family]].

Because of the sinful nature of man about 2350 B.C (according to the [[Young Earth Creationist]] view) [[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 [[Family of Noah|Noah and his family]].

==The Origins of Man according to Evolutionary Biologists and Anthropologists==

==The Origins of Man according to Evolutionary Biologists and Anthropologists==

In more recent times rationalists, [[Theory of evolution|evolutionists]] and scientists in the fields of biology and more specifically, anthropology, have postulated that humans have been around in anatomically modern form for approximately 130,000 years<ref>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.</ref>. One version of the this theory maintains homo sapiens evolved from Homo ergaster or erectus, and from other earlier primates. Humans' closest living relative is the chimpanzee.

In more recent times rationalists, [[Theory of evolution|evolutionists]] and scientists in the fields of biology and more specifically, anthropology, have postulated that humans have been around in anatomically modern form for approximately 130,000 years<ref>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.</ref>. One version of the this theory maintains homo sapiens evolved from [[Homo ergaster]] or [[Homo erectus|erectus]], and from other earlier primates. Humans' closest living relative is the [[chimpanzee]].

==The origins of Man according to non-Abrahamic religions==  

==The origins of Man according to non-Abrahamic religions==