Religious folks don’t like to admit we’re animals because it contradicts their beliefs.

Their religion is based on the idea that we’re special somehow. It allows their followers to feel better than the ‘lesser’ animals, and the ‘lesser’ races/cultures. They teach that we’re the chosen ones with our tools, and language, and emotion, and thoughts.

The fact that we’re all equal, and that other animals have all of those qualities is a threat to their power.