Why do you think god demands blood sacrifices and burnt offerings? [Spirituality & Religion]
Why does he want the blood splattered on the altar and the fat from around the organs and the large lobe of the liver and kidneys burnt?
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ArishMell · 70-79, M
Many of the ancient religions did want offerings like that, but the deity invented by the Hebrews and which became the "God" of Judaism, Christianity and Islam does not.
It's ages since I read the Bible but as far as I understood it, people like Moses preached against sacrifices and burnt offerings to any god.
Some of this was probably more for theist authority than humanity or even simple logic; but evidently allowed continuing what were perhaps long-established [i]social[/i] norms about certain animals being "unclean", and killing other animals to provide not only celebratory feasts but indeed for food generally. This from simple necessity though, not to appease deities.
It's ages since I read the Bible but as far as I understood it, people like Moses preached against sacrifices and burnt offerings to any god.
Some of this was probably more for theist authority than humanity or even simple logic; but evidently allowed continuing what were perhaps long-established [i]social[/i] norms about certain animals being "unclean", and killing other animals to provide not only celebratory feasts but indeed for food generally. This from simple necessity though, not to appease deities.
@ArishMell
[quote]but the deity invented by the Hebrews and which became the "God" of Judaism, Christianity and Islam does not.
It's ages since I read the Bible but as far as I understood it, people like Moses preached against sacrifices and burnt offerings to any god.[/quote]
Quite mistaken, actually. The god of Abraham was very specific in his instructions for blood sacrifice and burnt offerings and the isrealites made them specifically to him.
And the animals sacrificed were not unclean ones, they were just goats and bulls and sheep and most of the flesh was to be burned as an offering and they were specifically ordered not to consume it.
[quote]but the deity invented by the Hebrews and which became the "God" of Judaism, Christianity and Islam does not.
It's ages since I read the Bible but as far as I understood it, people like Moses preached against sacrifices and burnt offerings to any god.[/quote]
Quite mistaken, actually. The god of Abraham was very specific in his instructions for blood sacrifice and burnt offerings and the isrealites made them specifically to him.
And the animals sacrificed were not unclean ones, they were just goats and bulls and sheep and most of the flesh was to be burned as an offering and they were specifically ordered not to consume it.
ArishMell · 70-79, M
@Pikachu Ah: Thank you!
I must admit it's been a long time since I read the Bible but it struck me that whatever I had been taught over half a century ago didn't go into the Old Testament very deeply.
Looking at it historically I suspect sacrifices like that had been part of the culture long before the development of the "God" we know; and their origins lost in the mists - or desert mirages - of time. Consequently, it would have been relatively easy and understandable for the founders of the Hebrew religion to absorb some of the old ways into the new by giving the rites new meanings.
I think my earlier comments were from recalling structures against false idols and gods - i.e. "I am your leader, I believe in X, therefore shall ye also!"
I must admit it's been a long time since I read the Bible but it struck me that whatever I had been taught over half a century ago didn't go into the Old Testament very deeply.
Looking at it historically I suspect sacrifices like that had been part of the culture long before the development of the "God" we know; and their origins lost in the mists - or desert mirages - of time. Consequently, it would have been relatively easy and understandable for the founders of the Hebrew religion to absorb some of the old ways into the new by giving the rites new meanings.
I think my earlier comments were from recalling structures against false idols and gods - i.e. "I am your leader, I believe in X, therefore shall ye also!"
@ArishMell
You're most welcome. Yeah your average church tends to go light on the OT. They like the garden of eden, moses and the commandments but they tend to leave a lot of other stuff out in my experience.
I'd agree with your interpretation for the origin of such sacrifices. This makes more sense to me than an all powerful being requiring that we kill animals and burn them for him.
You're most welcome. Yeah your average church tends to go light on the OT. They like the garden of eden, moses and the commandments but they tend to leave a lot of other stuff out in my experience.
I'd agree with your interpretation for the origin of such sacrifices. This makes more sense to me than an all powerful being requiring that we kill animals and burn them for him.