2007-02-20 17:19:17 · 18 answers · asked by STFU Dude 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Because the original Hebrew religion can be traced back to the Canaanite religion through the Ugaritic texts. The god of the Old Testament is actually a composite of the gods in the Canaanite pantheon. The idea being that if your God possesses all the traits of an entire pantheon of gods, then that makes the pantheon obsolete and unnecessary.
2007-02-20 17:27:53 · answer #1 · answered by Wisdom in Faith 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Old Testament (The Torah) comes from a people enslaved by many populations over the course of their history. Would it not make sense for the beliefs of the Civilization to bleed into the worship of the slaves? The rituals and beliefs would be incorporated into the slaves' worship over time.
or
To early peoples who so desperately needed every animal, would it not be a great sacrific to give an animal? The reasoning behind the rituals is similar so the ritual would be.
or both
2007-02-20 17:25:24 · answer #2 · answered by Huggles-the-wise 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they are Pagan rituals reinvented, but nevertheless were still based on those early beliefs.
The wonder is that human sacrifice abhorred by all the world should remain even now as the central theme of Christianity, believed by millions. This false teaching that Jesus paid for our sins has survived inspite of Jesus' own protestations and man’s progression into the Age of Reason and Science.
2007-02-20 18:03:16 · answer #3 · answered by Angel Luz 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are a lot of things that people do that could be linked to Paganism. Believe it or not, celebrating birthdays is one of those. But not to worry, the reason why one would observe something only points out that the ritual is done, though the reason why they are done may make a difference.
2007-02-20 17:28:35 · answer #4 · answered by Christian Sinner 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because at that time, animal sacrifice in a religious context was common -- and the Israelites were people of their time.
I'd also like to point out that modern Pagans generally don't participate in animal sacrifice. Like the Abrahamic religions, we seem to have grown out of it.
2007-02-20 17:23:04 · answer #5 · answered by prairiecrow 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well it's fairly obvious to those with an opened mind.
Many of the rituals were borrowed from them. As well as a few from the New Test. Such as, Jesus being born of a virgin. that's not the first time that story has appeared.
Dec. 25th is even borrowed. I mean c'mon people. You think these things are original?
2007-02-20 17:25:30 · answer #6 · answered by GobleyGook 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Pagan rituals sacrificed children to devils before.
2007-02-20 17:25:18 · answer #7 · answered by t_a_m_i_l 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because at the time, these rituals were also used by pagens to honor their Gods. Kind like in our culture when people do the same thing for different reasons.
2007-02-20 17:22:43 · answer #8 · answered by Poohcat1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sacrifices are sacrifices. All religions sacrifices seem similar. I mean, how many different variations can there be on the theme?
2007-02-21 00:41:12 · answer #9 · answered by kaplah 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they were pagan rituals
2007-02-20 17:23:35 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋