7/26/2006: Hindu ritual sacrifice

Undertoad · 07-26-2006, 01:55 PM

"Hindus perform a ritual sacrifice for good health and safety on the south coast of Java, Indonesia", says the official caption on this from the WaPo Day in Pics.

I don't know how common this sort of practice is, and can't get any idea from Wikipedia on it. I would have to just say it's terribly sad and ridiculous, if not outright repulsive. In a culture where scarcity is not uncommon, why just drop a beast into the sea when it could provide several hundred meals? How can such a practice survive when it is clearly superstition - and worse than ineffective?

barefoot serpent · 07-26-2006, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Undertoad

In a culture where scarcity is not uncommon, why just drop a beast into the sea when it could provide several hundred meals? How can such a practice survive when it is clearly superstition - and worse than ineffective?

Do they eat sharks?

tully · 07-26-2006, 02:18 PM

Could it be the scarcity that drives them to these practices? I think so. The practice survives everyday another fisherman comes back. If he doesn't return? It was a bad cow. These things are just part of what they believe, they aren't hurting anyone, but they do believe they are bettering themselves.

Kitsune · 07-26-2006, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Undertoad

"Hindus perform a ritual sacrifice...

Hindus? The people that consider the cow a sacred animal?

Shawnee123 · 07-26-2006, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tully

Could it be the scarcity that drives them to these practices? I think so. The practice survives everyday another fisherman comes back. If he doesn't return? It was a bad cow. These things are just part of what they believe, they aren't hurting anyone, but they do believe they are bettering themselves.

If you love something...set it free. (Insert pretty butterflies here)
If it comes back to you...make a steak.
If it does not, it was a bad cow. Bad, Bad Cow!

(Just struck me funny)

Clodfobble · 07-26-2006, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kitsune

Hindus? The people that consider the cow a sacred animal?

Wouldn't be fit for sacrifice if it weren't sacred...

Kitsune · 07-26-2006, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clodfobble

Wouldn't be fit for sacrifice if it weren't sacred...

Huh. You're spot on.

Happy Monkey · 07-26-2006, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Undertoad

How can such a practice survive when it is clearly superstition - and worse than ineffective?

It's only "clearly superstition" from the outside. Just ask James Randi.

Brooke of the Land · 07-26-2006, 02:42 PM

Alright... I get the scarcity part, and I believe it to be mostly true. However, did anyone else notice the guys in the background with the videocameras?

Shawnee123 · 07-26-2006, 02:49 PM

Well, it's for the family movies.

"Ahh, dear progressive great granddaughter...here is film of your great great grandfather drowning a bad cow. These are the times we need to share."

Sniffle...

xant · 07-26-2006, 03:55 PM

The world is a place of scarcity, and we live in it, and yet: McDonald's. Who am I, as an American, to pass judgement on a waste of good meat?

Trilby · 07-26-2006, 03:58 PM

I'd like to dangle one of them over a boat, say a prayer and drop the line. jerks.

Shawnee123 · 07-26-2006, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brianna

I'd like to dangle one of them over a boat, say a prayer and drop the line. jerks.

Yeah, and if they come back, then it means they weren't bad!

milkfish · 07-26-2006, 05:27 PM

It's all part of the great circle of life, when it sinks the crabs get to eat the bovine, the fishies eat the crabs, fisherman catch the fish, prosperity and happiness abound.

Why does it look like a couple of the guys are throwing gang signs, though?

Kitsune · 07-26-2006, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawnee123

Well, it's for the family movies.

"Ahh, dear progressive great granddaughter...here is film of your great great grandfather drowning a bad cow. These are the times we need to share."

Sniffle...

Why do people find it strange that someone is videotaping the event? Why does no one find it odd that someone took the still image of it that you're looking at right now?

They're drowning a cow for their religion. Big deal. These days plenty of people videotape another popular practice that is "clearly superstition" for home movie purposes that they do share with their family after the event: the circumcision of their newborn son.

07-26-2006, 01:55 PM	#1
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	7/26/2006: Hindu ritual sacrifice "Hindus perform a ritual sacrifice for good health and safety on the south coast of Java, Indonesia", says the official caption on this from the WaPo Day in Pics. I don't know how common this sort of practice is, and can't get any idea from Wikipedia on it. I would have to just say it's terribly sad and ridiculous, if not outright repulsive. In a culture where scarcity is not uncommon, why just drop a beast into the sea when it could provide several hundred meals? How can such a practice survive when it is clearly superstition - and worse than ineffective?

07-26-2006, 02:42 PM	#9
Brooke of the Land obsequious purple and clairvoiant Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: North Texas Posts: 45	Alright... I get the scarcity part, and I believe it to be mostly true. However, did anyone else notice the guys in the background with the videocameras? __________________ "...knowing only that we're vast and combustible, shifting, mostly hidden, probably messed up, but alive and mysterious while we last."

07-26-2006, 02:49 PM	#10
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	Well, it's for the family movies. "Ahh, dear progressive great granddaughter...here is film of your great great grandfather drowning a bad cow. These are the times we need to share." Sniffle... __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

07-26-2006, 03:58 PM	#12
Trilby Slattern of the Swail Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,654	I'd like to dangle one of them over a boat, say a prayer and drop the line. jerks. __________________ In Barrie's play and novel, the roles of fairies are brief: they are allies to the Lost Boys, the source of fairy dust and ...They are portrayed as dangerous, whimsical and extremely clever but quite hedonistic. "Shall I give you a kiss?" Peter asked and, jerking an acorn button off his coat, solemnly presented it to her. —James Barrie Wimminfolk they be tricksy. - ZenGum

07-26-2006, 05:27 PM	#14
milkfish A serene breakdown Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Northern NJ, USA Posts: 266	It's all part of the great circle of life, when it sinks the crabs get to eat the bovine, the fishies eat the crabs, fisherman catch the fish, prosperity and happiness abound. Why does it look like a couple of the guys are throwing gang signs, though? __________________ A genius is one who can do anything except make a living. - Joey Lauren Adams

07-26-2006, 02:18 PM	#3
tully this native love Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 1	Could it be the scarcity that drives them to these practices? I think so. The practice survives everyday another fisherman comes back. If he doesn't return? It was a bad cow. These things are just part of what they believe, they aren't hurting anyone, but they do believe they are bettering themselves.

07-26-2006, 03:55 PM	#11
xant Belt Conveyor Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 65	The world is a place of scarcity, and we live in it, and yet: McDonald's. Who am I, as an American, to pass judgement on a waste of good meat?

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