Sep 06 2007
Airline sacrifices goats to appease sky god
[Reuters]
Officials at Nepal’s state-run airline have sacrificed two goats to appease Akash Bhairab, the Hindu sky god, following technical problems with one of its Boeing 757 aircraft, the carrier said Tuesday.
Read about it here.
[From me]
Where is PETA when you need them?
9 responses so far
I think I now know what airline is scarier than most Congolese carriers!
Are the Nepalese mistaken in their belief that God approves of blood sacrifice? Was it just a silly act that deserves our ridicule? Was it a sacred act which draws from ancient religious tradition and that deserves our respect?
What do you think?
AAA,
What would happen if Delta or US Airways did this?
PETA must have been in the kitchen fixing tofu stir fry to miss this one! There would be signs in front of corporate HQ if this had been Delta or US Airways.
Kevin,
What would happen if Delta or US Airways did this?
I think that’s a little like the kid caught skipping school defending his actions by claiming: “but the other kids were doing it too!” My question is about how we should act - it’s about beholding the “beam” in our own eye.
Even if you don’t want to respond to my question, I’ll try to answer yours
I think if Delta or US Airways sacrificed a goat in front of an airplane, they would be laughing stocks. Our society does not believe in animal sacrifice and it would be seen as a stunt rather than a religious act. However if the pilot and co-pilot held hands and asked Jesus to protect them, I think their actions would be tolerated.
I thought you endorse superstition — no?
Ed,
Welcome back. I’ve missed your insight too.
The Old Testament is chockablock full of “God” needing animal sacrifices to keep him in a good mood, so the actions of the Nepalese shouldn’t seem strange to Bible-believers.
Francoise,
Quite correct. The God of the OT enjoyed the sweet savor of a burnt offering. I find it fascinating that so many religions in the world, even religions of very isolated peoples like the Mayans, agree on this - that gods are pleased by blood sacrifice.