Why did ancient pagans practice blood sacrifices?;?

Answer 1

Why did ancient christians practice blood sacrifice?

It was the "in" thing at the time.

Answer 2

The giving of gifts has always been one of the strongest bonds between humans and the god/esses. When an animal was sacrificed, it is first hallowed and then slaughtered. It was then cooked and eaten by the gathered folk at a Holy feast. If you take a strictly mundane view, you would see that it is not any different from buying meat at the supermarket and bringing it home to cook and eat. The meat you buy comes from a slaughtered animal and then is packaged for you to buy. The animal in a sacrifice is eaten. Most such sacrifices coincided with the annual harvest and slaughtering times, therefore it was, and still is in some regions, a natural facet of live.

Regardless of the form, what matters is the sense of reverence and devotion behind the offering. The acts alone are meaningless without sincere intentions.

In some religions, such as Santeria, animal sacrifice is a normal and accepted practice. Although many in urbanized cultures find this offensive or frightening, the form of sacrifice must be taken into context with the culture. In cultures where Vodun and Santeria derived, for example, animals are raised for food at many households and regularly killed during the preparation of the meal. Taking the life of an animal is a common occurrence. Since religion is so interwoven with the culture, ritualizing the taking of life is not so surprising. Often the animal is eaten. Where food is scarce, such a sacrifice of a food source holds great significance.

It is difficult for most Neo-Pagans to accept animal sacrifice as a form of religious devotion. On the one hand, they must contend with the common misconception of Pagans preforming sacrifices to "The Devil", and on the other hand, sacrifice is not accepted as part of their culture--many living in urbanized areas. Animal sacrifice of any sort is not a part of the practice of the more common forms of Paganism such as Wicca and Druidism, nor is it common among the more generic modern Pagans or other Nature based spiritualities.

We Asatru recognize that although our ancient ancestors celebrated the blot by feasting on an animal consecrated to the Gods and then slaughtered, our modern needs and life-style are simpler today and so an offering of mead or other alcoholic beverage is sufficient. Although I am fond of celebrating a blot through a "sacred barbecue" of meat obtained through hunting. The word blot itself is related to the Norse words for blood and sacrifice. The ritual consists of three parts, the hallowing of the offering, the sharing of the offering with those present, and the libation to the Gods.

Answer 3

In the KJ Bible ,`sacrifice` appears 205 times, `altar` 320 times, and `offerings` 210 times. "The sacrificial Lamb", the "lamb of God", " this is my blood", and other Pagan derivatives are used daily by the Christians.The concept of appeasing the Gods by making live sacrifice has a long history, and the practice of human sacrifice can be found in many cultures and represents the ultimate offering, the surrender of life for promises and favours. Nothing new there then !!

Answer 4

Most faiths have done blood sacrifices, including Judaism. Christinaity, in a sense, is based of one.

The problem is that blood is a HIGHLY powerful mystical substance. Without it, the body cannot work. Usually animals were used, and then the body was eaten as a feast [The life was offered to the gods, as a gift.].

Some, very rare groups used humans, as human life is inherently considered more sacred, and thus a much more meaningful sacrifice. Again, allow me to assert this, it was rarely done, even in cultures that did it.

In short- Blood is sacred, and a perfect gift for a god!

Personally, in my simpler devotions, I offer up some of my own, to show that I am serious. I am willing to give some of my vitallity. I never combine blood with my spellworks though, and keep a separate knife.

Answer 5

So did the ancient Jews. It was a common practice, in part because animals = valuable community resources, and were therefore considered a fitting offering to express honor and humility before the Gods.

Fortunately, most religions today have grown out of the practice. Santeria is one notable exception, but even they prepare and eat the animals they kill so that nothing goes to waste.

Answer 6

Very few pagans practised human sacrifice. Some pagans did (and still do) sacrifice animals. In either case it was to honour and pacify the gods, to show your respect and to send them your most precious possessions. Hence why the Aztecs sacrificed champion athletes and virgins.

Answer 7

Didn't most ancient religions practice blood sacrifices?

Answer 8

Many ancient Gods were cruel and powerful and needed to be placated. Sacrifice was common when religion was based more on story telling than the philosophical religions we are familiar with today.

Sacrifice was offered to please the Gods and ensure the survival of the worshippers.

Answer 9

All ancient religions practiced blood sacrifices they were heathens.

Answer 10

I think you got confuse pagans are not satanist.
And those who do blood sacrifices are just honoring the meaning of existince, as Lucifer said "Blood is Life, without life there is no existince."