The Jews celebrated Yom Kippur, the day of atonement. Why, then, was it necessary for the creation another mythological dying demigod savior supersize combo for the forgiveness of sins? OR was Jesus Paul's example of offering atonement to the Gentiles/Pagans only? Seems redundant to me.
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Yom Kippur
- Thread starter Medicine*Woman
- Start date
ConsequentAtheist
Registered Senior Member
The linkage may be closer than you think. The passion narrative reads, in part, very much like a take off on the scape-goat story/tradition that accompanies Yom Kippur.
The goat of atonement (scapegoat) was among other things a symbol of the goat that took the place of Isaac, taking the place of a human life,
because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins (Hebrews 10:4). The scapegoat system itself was just a substitution, it could never finally clear all sins, otherwise it would have been done once and for all.
But Christ did not only fulfill the goat's function, also that of the lamb that could "subdue" or wash away sins of Israel (sometimes ritualised by daily baptism and fasting - which also became Christian practice):
because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins (Hebrews 10:4). The scapegoat system itself was just a substitution, it could never finally clear all sins, otherwise it would have been done once and for all.
The sprinkling of the blood is essential to all sin-offerings [cf. Heb.9:22]. By dipping his finger in the victim's blood and applying it to a sacred object like the altar, the priest reestablishes the union between the people that he represents and the Deity. - J.E.: atonement
It was sufficient for temporal life on earth, but not for eternal life.Hebrews 9
13The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!
15For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance--now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. ...
27Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
But after the destruction of the temple ritual atonement became impossible to do. "The cessation of sacrifice, in consequence of the destruction of the Temple, came, therefore, as a shock to the people. It seemed to deprive them of the divine Atonement. [ibid]". Rabbi Akiba compensated for this by instituting a new doctrine based solely on God's mercy, without needing any apparent mediator. In effect they rejected Jesus' mediation, but ironically had to accept what He came to do: "rebuild the temple" by showing God's love and faithfulness.13The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!
15For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance--now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. ...
27Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
But Christ did not only fulfill the goat's function, also that of the lamb that could "subdue" or wash away sins of Israel (sometimes ritualised by daily baptism and fasting - which also became Christian practice):
By the school of Hillel the lamb was to be "kobes," "to wash Israel clean" from sin ... Compare also the expression "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (John i. 29)
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Jenyar said:The goat of atonement (scapegoat) was among other things a symbol of the goat that took the place of Isaac, taking the place of a human life, because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins (Hebrews 10:4). The scapegoat system itself was just a substitution, it could never finally clear all sins, otherwise it would have been done once and for all.
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M*W: The "goat" also symbolizes Satan. The "goat" also refers to the sign of Capricorn. The "bull" refers to the sign of Taurus.
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Jenyar: The sprinkling of the blood is essential to all sin-offerings [cf. Heb.9:22]. By dipping his finger in the victim's blood and applying it to a sacred object like the altar, the priest reestablishes the union between the people that he represents and the Deity.-J.E.: atonement
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M*W: For all you single women out there who would love to have a relationship with a good man, smear your menstrual blood at the North/South/East/West locations of the main door of your home. He will come to you. It may also be a good idea to sprinkle Kosher salt in a circular formation around your house. This will ensure that evil stays away from your door. If you live in an apartment, sprinkle Kosher salt on the threshold of your door to ward off evil people.
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Jenyar: It was sufficient for temporal life on earth, but not for eternal life. Hebrews 9 13The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!
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M*W: Christ is the imaginary symbol for the "goat" (i.e. scapegoat) for mankind. Let me repeat, "imaginary symbol."
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Jenyar: 15For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance--now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. ...
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M*W: The imaginary Christ, who was symbolically born on the darkest day of the year in December, brings allegorical "light" to the world since the days start becoming lighter after the rebirth of the sun (i.e. not "son."). John the Baptist is an example of the sign Aquarias, the water bearer.
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Jenyar: 27Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
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M*W: The coming of the Christ symbolizes the sacrifice mankind faces in winter, and the salvation brought to mankind in the spring. "Sin" refers to the darkness of winter. The "coming Christ" refers to the coming of "light," which means the coming of warmer weather (i.e. more light of day).
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Jenyar: But after the destruction of the temple ritual atonement became impossible to do. "The cessation of sacrifice, in consequence of the destruction of the Temple, came, therefore, as a shock to the people. It seemed to deprive them of the divine Atonement. [ibid]". Rabbi Akiba compensated for this by instituting a new doctrine based solely on God's mercy, without needing any apparent mediator. In effect they rejected Jesus' mediation, but ironically had to accept what He came to do: "rebuild the temple" by showing God's love and faithfulness.
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M*W: The "temple" refers to one's body which is for the most part closed in in winter, and symbolizes one's "rebirth" or coming out from the dark in the spring. "Jesus' mediation" refers to the "sun" coming out from the darkness of winter as "new light."
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Jenyar: But Christ did not only fulfill the goat's function, also that of the lamb that could "subdue" or wash away sins of Israel (sometimes ritualised by daily baptism and fasting - which also became Christian practice): By the school of Hillel the lamb was to be "kobes," "to wash Israel clean" from sin ... Compare also the expression "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (John i. 29)
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M*W: "Behold the Lamb of God" which means "Aries, the Ram, progenitor of the lamb, takes away the "sin" or "darkness" of the world in winter.
Additionally, Virgo refers to the Virgin Mary; Pieces refers to "fish" or "fishers of men;" "Leo refers to the lion that lay down with the lamb."
You might enjoy this article, Ancient Israel, the Zodiac, and the Sun God - if only just to show you that there isn't only one interpretation. The zodiac can't replace the gospels, because without them they have no meaning except to indicate the passage of time or to refer to Greek mythology.