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02-05-2008, 03:07 PM | #51 | |||||
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I must admit that this topic area has always intrigue me. Why would otherwise intelligent people feel compelled to read human sacrifice into the OT when it is so evidentally missing?
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11 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 12 I hereby accept the Levites from among the Israelites as substitutes for all the firstborn that open the womb among the Israelites. The Levites shall be mine, 13 for all the firstborn are mine; when I killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I consecrated for my own all the firstborn in Israel, both human and animal; they shall be mine. I am the LORD. NRSV Again, by the OT's testimony, there was no human sacrifice. Quote:
You might argue that some prisoners were sacrificed by the Israelite army, but this can also be interpreted as punishment. Thanks, |
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02-05-2008, 03:18 PM | #52 | ||
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The real question is: Why would otherwise intelligent people feel compelled to deny references to human sacrifice being acceptable to God in the Bible? |
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02-05-2008, 03:42 PM | #53 | |
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to allow somebody or something to be hurt, killed, or destroyed for your own advantageOne can extending that definition to all the atrocities carried out by the Israelites in God's name, and by his commandment. But thats all semantics. I've made the case here in the past that God's supposed revulsion to child sacrifice and his ordering the slaughter of countless children are 2 moraly incompatiable stances. And THATS the real issue. It's like saying "I'm against killing a child, but I'm OK with killing children," or, "Killing children is bad only if it's done in a ritualistic fashon." The fact that "God's" actions are unthinkable by todays standards shows that the God of the OT was likely a primitive fabrication. Oh, and you really should read up on the historical origins of the Israelites. It'll blow your mind. The historical and the biblical origins don't sync... at all. |
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02-05-2008, 04:26 PM | #54 |
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Would you try to stop a murder if it happened in front of you? Or would you let people live out their free will? What if someone attacked your niece/kid?
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02-05-2008, 05:06 PM | #55 |
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How many who have posted in this thread, have performed a careful analysis of the contents of the 27th chapter of Leviticus which deals with the treatment of performing vows, and with things dedicated, and with things devoted to Yahweh?
Doing so you might be surprised at what you find out. (Key words here, is " a careful analysis" not just a superficial reading) If that is all you are up to, don't bother with commenting on the contents. |
02-05-2008, 11:09 PM | #56 | |
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02-06-2008, 12:09 AM | #57 |
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02-06-2008, 12:20 AM | #58 | |
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strawman argument cain was not God's niece or nephew. |
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02-06-2008, 12:25 AM | #59 | ||
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I accept there may have been some sacrifice although we have no details, we do know in the time of judges/kings despite their faithfulness to God the israelites where heavily influenced by the rituals and practised by the nations around them. |
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02-06-2008, 12:42 AM | #60 |
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What appears to be "the Jephthah story" is just not the "whole story".
What is so briefly related needs to be compared with, and be evaluated in the light of other information that is provided in previous books. But just consider, even if the common interpretation is correct, and Jephthah did intend to carry out burning his daughter on an altar, being an Israelite he would have been taught in The Law, and his detailed knowledge of Israel's history employed in his arguments indicates that he would be well aware of The Law of Moses, and its requirements. If he intended to offer up his daughter as a "burnt offering", he would have needed to deliver her over to the Levites that they might perform the duties of the altar as it was appointed to them. (Things had changed since the time of Abraham and Issac) They of course, holding the position of being the final authorities on the interpretation and on the application of The Law, could (and would) forestall such a flagarant abuse against The Commandments. |
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