Why do so many Neo-Pagan religions invoke apex predators as symbols while Christianity celebrates sheep?

Question

How is this Christian bashing? What other symbols do Christians use for themselves?

Answer 1

Goes to show you how people see themselves, doesn't it?

Mwhahahaha!

Answer 2

Because many so-called "neo-pagan" religions are movements directly opposing the christian ideal of accepting the status quo.

These neo-pagans, often allie themselves more closely to atheists and agnostiscts or gnostics... in the belief that one should find their own route in the mysteries of life. Although community is usually highly regarded (more so than many atheists and agnostics regard a religious community).

Sheep need a shepard to follow.
Where as...these "apex predators" are usually the top of a food chain.

also certain Apex predators, like owls and cats, evoke certain symbolism. Such as: wisdom, or mysticsim...etc...

Answer 3

Sheep are one of the few animals that has bennefited humanity because of their character. They flock and live as a group. They also provide very usefull resources such as wool and nourishment. Not very many animals in this world are domesticatible. We did not pick sheep as our representative animal. They just happen to bear some resembalances with humanity. For instance they can tend to follow the path of least resistance (symbolizing humanitys lazyness) which leads to their demise. Gods ways are painfull to follow but reap the most rewards (a shepard). There are other comparisons and sheep didn't need to be used. It is just a convenient comparison and a parable that worked for the farers of that time because they could understand it. You wouldn't explain complicated math and physics concepts to some one who is a layman so you would have to simplify it.

Answer 4

Christ is considered "the Good Shepherd" therefor his followers are like sheep (see the symbolism?)

Christians don't need predators to be their symbols; Our strength is in God alone, so we don't need to intimidate others by having beastly or ferrocious animals as a symbol.

Besides, there's nothing wrong with a sheep...


(you've heard of "gay pride".... well, this is "sheep pride"! Stop picking on the little woolies! LOL)

Answer 5

Pretty limited view IMO. I know quite a few Neo-Pagans who invoke Ravens, Deer, Turkeys and Doves.

Most of my totem animals are not Apex predators.

Answer 6

Christians belong to a flock that know the voice of their shepherd who leads and guides them by grace through the world to the still waters. Pagan people like to think of themselves as self sufficient, worldy, capable of taking on the world just like an animal, with ferocity - the same way an animal who lives on a less than spiritual level would relate to the world, fight or flight.

Answer 7

Christians are in many ways like sheep... or at least think of themselves in that way. The sheep is a good symbol for a follower of Christ.

Answer 8

Not sure about the apex predator thing. Example?

But the sheep sure rings a bell: small animal, dependent on others, easily led around by man, susceptible to wolves.

Not exactly the kind of image I would associate myself with.

Answer 9

Considering that a shepherd raises sheep for the purpose of shearing and slaughter, I don't know why they adopted this whole sheep/shepherd thing to begin with.

Answer 10

becaue christians follow blindly as do sheep

Answer 11

You mean, like, why my statue of Apollo has the shape of a man? Why settle for penultimate?


Edit: I could say I was a goat, but that would be capricious.