Friday, January 19, 2007

Vegetarianism And Religion

Vegetarianism And Religion Image
I'm not fully vegetarian but i like the philosophy. Sometime i try vegetarian diet, but the society and life style we live in sometime make it hard to be one. Never the less i'm giving it a serious thought and came across some very good reference on the topic. Good perspectives.

Here is the best comparative world religion perspective on the issue. I quote the post here...

Vegetarianism in the religions of the world. I would like to begin with Semitic Religions and first of all I shall begin with Judaism. Judaism: Judaism is the mother of all Semitic religions, i.e Judaism, Islam and Christianity. These three religions are also called Abrahamic religions, as Abraham is the founding father of all these religions.

Vegetarianism in Judaism: I would like to begin with a quotation from Exodus; "You who have compassion for a lamb Shall be the shepherd of my people Israel" Unfortunately today Orthodox Judaism does not generally teach that vegetarianism is a scriptural principle. Ofcourse the scriptures do inform us that each generation of the Jews has a lesser understanding of the Torah than its predecessor. (Tractate Berakhot,20A Talmud Bavli)

This is enough to account for modern Jews refusal of the vegetarian way of life. The first diet given by Torah is clearly vegetarian. Genesis stresses "I have given you every herb bearing seed which is upon the face of the earth and every tree in which is the fruit of a tree giving seed: to you it shall be for food." In obedience to these instructions the people of Israel for three generations (from Adam to Noah) were frugivorous (feeding on fruits) and vegetarian. However this adherence to God's commandment was very short lived. By the time of Noah morality diminished considerably. Animal sacrifice started, animal's skin were used for clothing and human beings began to murder one another.(GENESIS 4:8)

It was during this period of falling into sin as the Bible describes it that God gave concessions for eating flesh food. From then onward meat eating became rampant, After the great flood that had destroyed all vegetation, God issued a temporary sanction to eat meat.(Genesis 9:4)

There after God again instituted a vegetarian diet. When people of Israel left Egypt God provided manna a non-flesh food meant to sustain during arduous journey. Meat eating by now has thoroughly become ingrained and wide spread among the Jews. Mankind was given dominion over all creatures (Genesis 1:26) and many adherents of Judeo-Christian tradition refer to this dominion in an attempt to rationalize the killings and eating of animal flesh.Dr.Richard Schwartz says in his Judaism and Vegetarianism "Dominion does not mean that we have the right to conquer and exploit animals. Immediately after God gave dominion over animals, he prohibited their use for food. Dominion means guardianship or being co-worker with God in taking care of and improving the world. (Genesis1:26 and 1:29)

The Talmud interprets dominion as the privilege of using animals for labour only. Rabbi Kook states that dominion does not mean to govern cruelly for our personal selfish ends with stubborn heart. Rabbi Hirch says that people have not been given right to have other animals subservient to them. He also states that "The earth and its creatures may have other relationship of which we are ignorant, in which they serve their own purpose. Thus there is divine control over all and neither Judaism nor any other religion has unlimited rights to use, misuse or even kill other animals. The dietary regulations of Judaism: It is interesting to note that all dietary laws of Judaism apply to flesh food only. All fruits, vegetables, grains, cereals and even dairy products are KOSHER. Only meat must be prepared in a special way. This is because Judaism stresses to minimize meat eating. Meat is not for consumption. It is a compromise in a dire need. Jewish dietary law 'kushrut' says that first of all eating meat itself is a sort of compromise. Man ideally should not eat meat. Further the Jewish laws prescribe a long and tiresome almost difficult procedure to slaughter animal. If such procedure is not strictly followed the slain meat becomes impure and it is not 'kosher' (permissible). This is an indirect restriction on slaughtering and meat eating.

Christianity: "Take care not to destroy god's work for the sake of something to eat" (Romans 14:20) The New Testament focuses exclusively upon Jesus but little is known about his diet. There were however many early Christians who did support vegetarianism. They are St.Benedict, Clement, Eusebius, Cyprian, and John Wesley to name a few. The Bible -including the Old Testament has its origin in Judaism and by virtue of Torah's declaration of vegetables as first food the vegetation becomes the food of Christianity also. History relates that organized Christianity gradually moved away from its vegetarian roots. The early Christian fathers adhered to meatless regimen. More recently the Roman Catholic Church had ruled that practicing Catholics at least observe certain fast and abstain from meat eating on Fridays. This is a welcome step in the direction of meatless food society.

Islam: The Islamic tradition holds that in Mecca, the birthplace of Mohammed, no creature be slaughtered and that perfect harmony exists between all living things. In fact, Muslim pilgrims approach Mecca wearing a shroud (ihram), and from the time they don this religious apparel, no killing is allowed: not even mosquitoes, lice, grasshoppers, or any other living creature. If a pilgrim sees an insect on the ground, he will gesture to stop his comrades from inadvertently stepping on it. Thus, while Islam is not generally viewed as a religion that endorses vegetarianism and kindness to animals, the Islamic tradition does have great deal to say about a person's relationship to the animal world.

The Example of Mohammed: Biographies of Mohammed (also written as Muhammad, peace be upon him) include narrations that clearly depict his love for animals. And while one would be hard-pressed to find Muslims today who feel that their religion supports vegetarianism. (Although there are certain sects that do), Mohammed's teachings in this regard are clear. For instance, Margoliouth, one of Mohammed's chief biographers, writes,"His humanity extended itself to the lower creation. He forbade the employment of towing birds as targets for marksmen and remonstrated with those who ill-treated their camels. When some of his followers had set fire to an anthill, he compelled them to extinguish it. Act of cruelty was swept away by him." Other biographers, such as Dr. M. Hafiz syed, point out that Mohammed instructed those who eat meat to wash out their mouth before going for prayer. While it is certainly a Muslim custom to clean one's mouth before going to prayer, many biographers say that only meat is emphasized in this connection and not any other food. To a vegetarian Muslim, this would come as no surprise. Why, it may be asked, did Mohammed allow meat eating at all? One possible answer is that, because he based much of his teaching on the Old Testament. Mohammed employed the same concession for meat-eaters as God did in the scriptures and the same techniques of gradualism. Although total compassion and abstinence from killing were the ideal, Mohammed had to bring his followers to that platform slowly so as not to repel potential adherents. Mohammed knew his people well. Before the advent of Islam, the people of Arabia embraced a plurality of gods, bigamy was the rule, if a baby girl was born the couple out of shame would bury her alive (Koran, surah 6, verse 140). Sexual relation between mothers and sons were so widespread that the Koran contained prohibition (Koran, surah4, verses 19-24). It was Mohammed's mission to uplift his people, but he knew that radical change was doomed to fail. Like the great religious reformers before him, Mohammed considered the time, place and circumstances surrounding his mission.

In fact, Mohammed openly admitted that he only taught men according to their mental capacities:" For if you speak all things to all men-some will not understand." In this regard, Mohammed said, "The teachings were sent in seven dialects; and in every one of its sentences there is an external and an internal meaning.... I received two kinds of knowledge: one of these I taught-but if I had taught them the other, it would have broken their throats." Although Islamic tradition and Arabic Linguists have long since developed an explanation for the peculiar expression "broken their throats," many vegetarian Muslim have suggested that vegetarianism is implied with this phrase. In fact, Mohammed could only have been in favour of vegetarianism, although he may have been unable to impose this philosophy on the majority. He always showed the greatest compassion-"universal compassion" -and he exhorted his followers to do the same.

A touching example for Mohammed's life show how far his empathy extended. Awaking from a nap one afternoon, he found a small, sick cat fast asleep on the edge of his cloak. The prophet cut off his garment so that the cat could sleep undisturbed. Such a man could never advocate the slaughter of innocent animals in the name of religion.

In one popular tradition (Hadith) Mohammed is depicted as having rebuked his followers for not showing universal compassion. "But we do show compassion," they insisted,"-to our wives, children and relatives." The prophet responded, "It is not this to which I refer. I am speaking of universal mercy. One advantage of Islam's being a newer religion is that many specific facts regarding Mohammed's diet and attitude towards animals are well remembered and preserved. The prophet's earliest biographers indicate that he preferred vegetarian foods, saying that he liked milk mixed with water, curd with butter or nuts and dates. His favourite fruits were pomegranates, grapes and figs. He was particularly fond of honey, often eating it mixed with vinegar, and he is quoted as saying that in a house where there is vinegar and honey, there will certainly be the blessings of the Lord.

The Quran contains several references pertaining to vegetarianism, such as 'Let man reflect on the food he eats, how we poured out rain abundantly and split earth and made fertile, and then we made the grains to grow and vines and reeds, olives and palms and gardens and pastures- an enjoyment for you and your cattle to delight in. 'Ultimately Quran encourages Muslims to eat wholesome, healthful vegetarian food. Al-Ghazzali (1058-111), one of Islam's most brilliant philosophers, who wrote in his book "Ihya Ulum ul-din." Eating the meat of a cow causes disease (marz), its milk is health (safa), and its clarified butter (ghee) is medicine (dava). Compassionate eating leads to compassionate living. The Koran clearly evokes compassion and mercy toward animals, and although many Muslims never consider vegetarianism, certain sects, such as the shi'ites, do have a core of vegetarian followers.

Islamic mystics, such as the Sufis, also hold vegetarianism as high spiritual ideal. The Sufi Tradition: There is an ancient story about a woman Sufi, Saint, Hazarat Rabia Basri, who would regularly go to a particular mountain in the forest in order to meditate in perfect tranquility. When she would go, all the animals of the forest would come near to enjoy her good company. One day, another Sufi arrived. But as soon as he approached, all the animals ran away, as if in fear. Completely vexed, the Sufi inquired Rabia Basri, "Why do the animals run away?" Rabia countered with another question: "what have you eaten today?" The Sufi confessed that he; had eaten an onion fried in some fat. The wise Sufi woman concluded, "You eat their fat! Why should they not flee from you? This famous Sufi tale is perhaps indicative of the Islamic mystical perspective on human-animal interrelations. Thousands of Sufis have advocated vegetarian food. Another great Sufi Mohammed Rahim Bawa Mohiyuddin in his monumental work "Come to the secret garden" talks about love and compassion towards animals. The hunter learns compassion from a bird represents a clearly vegetarian tradition within Islamic mysticism.

Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism: Needless to say that the Indian religious traditions have always advocated vegetarianism, The Vedas do speak for sacrifice of different animals on different occasions, but popular modern Hinduism does not advocate animal sacrifice. The Hindu scriptures always speak about vegetarian way of life. Manusmruti says; "having well considered the origin of flesh foods, and the cruelty, of fettering slaying corporeal body let man entirely abstain from eating flesh" Manusmriti 5.49 "by not killing any living being, one becomes fit for salvation" Manusmriti 6.60 "You must not use your God given body for killing God's creatures, whether they are humans or animals" Yajur Veda 12.32 As I have said earlier that Judaism is the mother of Semitic religions, there is nothing wrong if I say Hinduism is the mother of eastern religions especially Jainism and Buddhism. No religion of the world has given such high a place to AHIMSA as Jainism has.

More References: :: Muslim Vegetarians, Also this one. :: Religion and Vegetarianism :: Ark of Intaj

Technorati Tag: Vegetarianism, Spiritual, Religion, Comparative, Judaism, Christianity, Vegetarian Christian, Vegetarian Muslim

[+] Please visit MysticSaint.Info For full multimedia experience and enjoy special music.

Blessings,
Sadiq



Suggested e-books:

Donald Mackenzie - Egyptian Myth And Legend
Andrew Lang - Myth Ritual And Religion


Tags: magic spell book  magic spell kits  the book of the dead ancient egypt  satanic ritual  magica spells  book of spells for witches  grimoire of honorius  necronomicon aqw  

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

The Emerald Tablets Of Hermes

The Emerald Tablets Of Hermes Cover

Book: The Emerald Tablets Of Hermes by Solomonic Grimoires

The Emerald Tablet of Hermes first appeared in the Alchemical Libraries of Europe during the 12th Century. Traveling home with the Crusaders, this seminal work is alleged to be written by Hermes Trismegistus-Thoth. The work deeply influenced Western Magick, and the tenets presented influence modern magick to this day. The Kybalion was first published by The Yogi Publication Society of the Masonic Temple in Chicago in 1912. The Authors of The Kybalion chose to remain anonymous, because the principles and philosophy are a summation of the Timeless Wisdom and Truth of the Hemetic Philosophy.

The Emerald Tablet of Hermes is reputed to be the oldest Grimoires is the works of Hermes Trimegistus. The great Egyptian God Thoth, the creator of writing and aligned with the Archangel Gabriel, became the Roman “Hermes Thrice Great.” Not only was his invention of writing significant but it incorporated the secrets of life, nature, and alchemy. Most famous of these works is the Emerald Tablet. It is reputed to hold the secrets of nature and allow man to perform various magical acts in an effort to turn base metals into gold. A Latin translation of the Tablet was undertaken by Johannes Hispalensis, circa. 1140.

There appears to be are many works falsely attributed to Hermes, a search of the internet will revel quite a number, and many may have been lost in time. Besides the Emerald Tablet the following are closely identified with the Hermes philosophy: The Corpus Hermeticum consisted of sixteen books are set up as dialogues between Hermes and others, The Kybalion, a Hermetic Philosophy, published in 1912 anonymously by three people calling themselves the "Three Initiates". Many Hermetic principles are explained in this book.

Buy Solomonic Grimoires's book: The Emerald Tablets Of Hermes

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

Max Heindel - The Message Of The Stars
Yacki Raizizun - The Secret Of Dreams
Richard Alan Miller - The Magical And Ritual Use Of Herbs
Anonymous - The Emerald Tablet Of Hermes
Solomonic Grimoires - The Emerald Tablets Of Hermes

Friday, January 5, 2007

Catholic Priest And Rape Charge

Catholic Priest And Rape Charge Cover Woman charged with missing girlaposs death – Tri-City Herald Priest arrested on child rape charges BOSTON AP A Roman Catholic priest was arrested on child rape Charges for allegedly assaulting a 15-year-old girl repeatedly over a four-month period. The Rev. Kelvin Iguabita, 33, was arrested Monday. Prosecutors say they can only substantially verify two of the incidents, which is enough to have charges filed against the priest. The allegations of the Catholic priest rape of the 14-year-old girl are under investigation.. Santa Rosa diocese sued by another alleged sex abuse victim of Irish priest – Macleans Maybe I Came Back Too Soon. AnAtheist.Net German prosecutors say a Roman Catholic priest has been charged with twice raping a 14-year-old girl 20 years ago. Osnabrueck prosecution spokesman Alexander Retemeyer said on Tuesday the 50-year-old man, then a chaplain. In court today, Douglas Perlitz admitted to sexually abusing young Haiti boys who heaposd recruited into the Pierre Tossaint Project school he founded in Haiti. Being the first of its kind in the United States. A Victorian Catholic priest is facing charges of raping a child over allegations dating. Retired priest Father Adelrick D’Cruz, 77, is charged with three counts of rape and 10 counts of unlawful and indecent assault of a girl, who was eight when the first offence allegedly. WASHINGTON — The federal government says 4.4 percent of inmates in prison and 3.1 percent of inmates in jail report being victimized sexually by another inmate or staff member. In a new study, the Justice.

90,000 inmates sexually victimized behind bars – The Sun News Christian Child Abuse: Catholic priest charged with rape of 14. Priest cleared of rape charge – The Boston Globe Three officials with a San Jose-based electronic waste recycling company are facing charges after state investigators said they had filed 1 million in fraudulent claims. California Attorney General Jerry. A Catholic priest who was accused of rape in 2002 during the clergy sexual abuse scandal has been cleared of all the charges , the Archdiocese of Boston said yesterday. Shanley Pleads Not Guilty To Rape Charges – San Diego News. A Catholic priest has been charged with twice raping a 14-year-old girl in Germany 20 years ago. Prosecutors in Osnabrueck said the 50-year old man, then a chaplain, used force to make the girl have sex with him and also. Jennifer L. Rice: Tacoma, other school districts reach settlement reached in teacher sex case – Tacoma News Tribune State files charges against e-waste recycling firm – San Luis Obispo Tribune An Oakland man accused of hitting and killing a German tourist on a bicycle as the bicyclist rode through San Francisco is free on bail after being charged with vehicular manslaughter and other charges. Thirty. Prosecutors in Sweden withdrew an arrest warrant on rape charges for Julian Assange, the founder of the Wikileaks website, a day after it was issued. Mr Assange, who still faces questioning over a separate allegation of. A report by Northern Ireland’s police ombudsman found evidence that the police, the British government and the Catholic church had colluded to conceal the suspected involvement of a Catholic priest in 1972 IRA bombings that killed nine people..

German Catholic Priest Faces Rape Charges after raping 14-year-old girl twice nearly 20 years ago. A catholic priest in Germany is now facing charges of rape. The priest, who is now 50 years old, is being accused of raping a 14 year old. Vic Catholic priest facing rape charges 58 Responses to Cleveland Sports Anchor Terry Brooks Indicted on Rape Charges. 1. Senator Jersey Says: August 5th, 2010 at 4:47 PM. We need to start treating them like Catholic priests. Damn, Duffy. Really. Afrol News – Rwanda priest convicted of genocide, rape Catholic priest in Germany charged with twice raping a 14-year-old. BOSTON — Citing a lapsed statute of limitations, a judge has dismissed child rape charges against a defrocked Roman Catholic priest, prompting calls from advocates for child abuse victims for changes in laws that limit when alleged abusers can be prosecuted.. SAN FRANCISCO – The Roman Catholic Diocese of Santa Rosa is facing a second lawsuit from a man claiming he was sexually abused as a child by an Irish priest. The lawsuit filed Thursday in Sonoma County Superior Court. Catholic Priest Charged With Rape of 14-Year-Old Girl, Diocese of. PUNTA GORDA, Fla. The baby sitter of a 4-year-old South Florida girl who disappeared more than a decade ago has been charged with the childaposs death. Authorities have charged 33-year-old Melissa Jones. Catholic priest charged with rape of 14-year-old. Catholic priest charged with rape of 14-year-old. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS BERLIN — German prosecutors say a Roman Catholic priest has been charged with twice raping a 14-year-old girl 20 years ago.. But Retemeyer said only two incidents were sufficiently substantiated for charges to be filed. The woman contacted the diocese of Osnabrueck earlier this year amid a widening abuse scandal in Germany..

Comments Page: SANTA CLARA COUNTY / D.A. drops rape charge. Rape-charge priest aposthreatened girl with punishment by Godapos – Ireland On-Line OnlineAthens: News: Child rape charges against former priest. Tacoma – The Tacoma School District and two smaller South Sound school districts have agreed to pay a Tacoma family nearly 1.5 million to settle a lawsuit stemming from teacher Jennifer L. Riceaposs sexual abuse. Politics this week – Aug 26th 2010. On Rape Charge The Associated Press Aug 24. BILLINGS, Montana: The leader of a Montana religious sect arrested last week in Wyoming has waived extradition to Utah, where he faces charges of raping a 15-year-old girl.. That officer had written to the British government about what action could be taken to render harmless a dangerous priest and asked if the case could be raised with the Catholic hierarchy. At the Claudy bomb inquest, a coroner described the. A Catholic priest who was arrested last month after a woman he had been counseling accused him of rape will not. A Catholic priest who was arrested last month after a woman he had been counseling accused him of rape will not be prosecuted, the Santa Clara. SAN DIEGO — Paul Shanley has pleaded not guilty to three child rape charges, 10News reported.. 71-year-old retired Catholic priest was arraigned in a Massachusetts courtroom Tuesday morning. SURVEY. If you are a Roman Catholic, has the ongoing sex abuse scandal involving priests and children caused you. USATODAY.com – Priest arrested on child rape charges BERLIN AP German prosecutors say a Roman Catholic priest has been charged with twice raping a 14-year-old girl 20 years ago. Osnabrueck prosecution spokesman Alexander Retemeyer said on Tuesday the 50-year old man, then a chaplain, used force to. But Retemeyer said only two incidents were sufficiently substantiated for charges to be filed. The woman contacted the diocese of Osnabrueck earlier this year amid a widening abuse scandal in Germany.

Books in PDF format to read:

Louis Claude De Saint Martin - Theosophic Correspondence
Howard Phillips Lovecraft - The Beast In The Cave
Aleister Crowley - The Star And The Garter

Popular Posts