Sacrafice, why?

by VM44 14 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

• 

  AllTimeJeff

  I have heard many well thought out explanations to this, and it all comes down to human sacrifice, believe it or not.

  Consider the first sacrifice of Abraham. "God" replaced Isaac with a ram. The first recorded "replacement" sacrifice. (and one of the first instances of the prickishness of YHWH)

  There are all kinds of theological arguements on Jephtha and his offering of the first one of his house to YHWH if he were granted victory.

  (Judges

  11:30-31) . . .Then Jeph´thah made a vow to Jehovah and said: "If you without fail give the sons of Am´mon into my hand, 31 it must also occur that the one coming out, who comes out of the doors of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the sons of Am´mon, must also become Jehovah’s, and I must offer that one up as a burnt offering."

  11:30-31) . . .Then Jeph´thah made a vow to Jehovah and said: "If you without fail give the sons of Am´mon into my hand, 31 it must also occur that the one coming out, who comes out of the doors of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the sons of Am´mon, must also become Jehovah’s, and I must offer that one up as a burnt offering."

  .......until it was his daughter who came out. Why else would he be that upset when she came out to greet him?

  Of course, their is JW spin, there always is, but it takes several jumps. Clearly, Israel did get involved with some kind of human sacrifice, whether in imitation of the lands around them or otherwise.

  How were the Israelite religious leaders to seperate themselves, while keeping the concept of a human sacrifice viable? Animal sacrifice.

  Of course, for all of Jehovah/YHWH's hatred of offering human sacrifice's as he stated.......

  (Deuteronomy

  18:10)10 There should not be found in you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, anyone who employs divination, a practicer of magic or anyone who looks for omens or a sorcerer,

  He still (allegedly) showed his great love by offering the only approved human sacrifice, his own son.

  I guess its ok to kill your own kid as long as they aren't burned in the process. Thus, Jesus was "sacrificed". Even though humans are forbidden to do that. Way to set an example....

  The point is, human and animal sacrifice are found throughout ancient religious traditions, as they spill blood to appease the gods. IN ALL CASES, ITS ABOUT BLOOD BEING SHED TO APPEASE AND CALM DOWN THE DEITY. It was to remind you that the animal DIED IN YOUR PLACE. God had a right to kill you, and something has to be killed, because you sinned. Better an animal then you! How loving of YHWH.

  Jehovah/YHWH was no different then the pagan gods around Israel. He was a blood thirsty god, as is evidenced by his surrogates, the priests.

  These sacrifices served their purpose, to maintain control over the multitudes who bought that there was an invisbible god who would only forgive and accept if blood was poured out. Animal blood or your own? An easy choice for Israelites.
• 

  Satanus

  When pagan cultures fell on hard times, they started sacrificing. This practice was carried into the ot and nt. It is still the core of christianity, namely human sacrifice. Christians have been heard to brag that jesus died for them. Sad, really that they think they have a god that requires that.

  The ancient minoans culture brought in sacrifice when tragedy struck them. Same w some of the south american cultures, when dry weather started destroying their civilization. The egyptian had it early on, but it was discontinued. The egyptians did not suffer from bad weather. Their nile river was always reliable for bringing them annual floods, and hence crops. They had a lot of time on their hands, and so they built stuff.

  S
• 

  kurtbethel

  Sitting here in the 21st century, it looks like a priestcraft method of getting choice cuts of meat through trickery without properly earning them.

  Little changes. Beware the leader who tells you that you need to sacrifice. It invaribly means you will sacrifice, while the leader and his cronies will live large off of your labors.
• 

  quietlyleaving

  When pagan cultures fell on hard times, they started sacrificing. This practice was carried into the ot and nt. It is still the core of christianity, namely human sacrifice. Christians have been heard to brag that jesus died for them. Sad, really that they think they have a god that requires that. The ancient minoans culture brought in sacrifice when tragedy struck them. Same w some of the south american cultures, when dry weather started destroying their civilization. The egyptian had it early on, but it was discontinued. The egyptians did not suffer from bad weather. Their nile river was always reliable for bringing them annual floods, and hence crops. They had a lot of time on their hands, and so they built stuff.

  I agree - human dilemma over premature death and a desire to take responsibilty for themselves. I can only imagine the awfulness of being in a predicament like that.
• 

  cameo-d

  Because these angel alien demons require blood to drink.

  You will remember that the blood was poured out and collected in a cup. Then some of it was splattered on the altar in the holy of holies. Probably the scent was a call to dinner.

  The priest was allowed to feed the rest of the carcass of the slaughtered animal to his family.

  There was a deal made between the aliens and the priests. The aliens gave the priest bits of simple technology which they displayed as "magical powers" in order to wow the people and gain control over the masses. In exchange for power and wealth derrived from this control and the offerings of animals and currency they obtained the blood diet that these demons require.

  BTW, sacrifices were a requirement, not an option. And it was rather like the Mafia's fireman fund in Brooklyn. You pay in advance to make sure your house doesn't burn down. The god game worked much the same. Many sacrifices were made in hopes to appease god and turn away his wrath, hoping nothing worse would happen to you.