I have had immigrants from Europe tell me that as recently as 100 years ago
European peasants were still burying loaves of bread in their fields as
offerings... In the Christian and Hebrew scriptures one can trace the
development from human sacrifice to animal substitutes. You have to wonder
what these loaves of bread were descended from.
Esther Walter
----- Original Message -----
From: Shan Jayran (Ovular) <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, January 07, 2001 7:01 PM
Subject: Re: films
> > version of it. There is absolutely no religious subtext that I've ever
> > been able to see in the original---is it as clear as Shan suggests in
the
> > modern retelling?
>
> Phyllis I find this a rather highhanded way of saying that you don't see
any
> religious theme in this film in the terms that are familiar to you. I
should
> prefer disagreement to be expressed from a personal point of view rather
> than attempting to use an 'absolute' negative generalisation, and then
> implying that I am overlaying with extrinsic material.. It may not be
> evident to your worldview; that does not mean it is not there in others.'
>
> I had stated that there is a definite religious theme there. If you are
> unfamiliar with the contemporary Pagan thealogy I speak from you will find
> similar themes to the one I cite in Frazer et al.
> (always allowing for the fact that Frazer grossly overstated his case, we
> can still identify many cultural themes of the Sacrificial God and the
> Seasonal Goddess, not least in the Middle East of the five millennia BCE,
> 'Dark Age ' European traditions of both Celtic and Germanic type, and of
> course that influential modern form, Christianity; although in this last
the
> seasonal Goddess is heavily censored).
>
> > >There was a marvellous film about a man who returns from the Civil War
> (USA)
> > >to his aristocratic wife and then with her, rejuvenates the failing
> fortunes
> > >of the estate, including the ordinary working people. Poignant footage
> > >displays their struggle to save the harvest etc.
> > >He is then exposed as an impostor and not her husband at all. A court
> case
> > >ensues and for some reson I can't remember, he is executed.
> > >The story is clearly an analogue of the Sacrificial God who is chosen
by
> the
> > >Goddess to revive her and the Land (in the film the wife knows he is
not
> her
> > >returned husband but chooses to let him stay as if he were). His death
is
> > >clearly marked as the sacrifice of a blameless male for the good of the
> > >community.
> > >
> > >Sorry I can't remember the name. I'm sure someone else will.
> > >
> > >Shan Jayran
> > >Associate Lecturer, University College Chichester
> > >Ovular - online education
> > >
> > >ONLINE EVENTS NOTICEBOARD RELIGION & GENDER
> > >www.ovular.co.uk/events.html
> > >RELIGION & GENDER ONLINE FEB 15 -MAR 29
> > >www.ovular.co.uk/relgender/relgender/wworlds.html
> >
> > Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
> > [log in to unmask]
> >
> >
>
>
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