Friday, 19 June 2009
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Frog Worship
"All religions are the same."
NOT!Here's a short article worth a minute of your time: Colour Changing Frog Worshiped in India.
Here's an even shorter clip from the article:Reji Kumar, 35, a lift worker, said the frog was white when he first spotted it but it soon changed to yellow and then grey by the time he got it home."By night the frog was dark yellow, and then it became transparent so you could see its internal organs," he said.
"It seemed like a miracle to me that this frog had so many different coats. So now people come to see him and pray to him."
The article doesn't really explain what the deal is about worshiping the frog, so I did a quick bit of Internet research and found a short paper on frog worship. Here's an excerpt:Interestingly enough, we find a panegyric of the frogs even in the Rig-Veda, [one of the four sacred Hindu texts] the oldest existing work in Sanskrit in which they are compared with the Brahman priests. Some of the stanzas of the hymn addressed to the frog reads: "As Brahmans, who a vow fulfill, The frogs had now a year been still. Like dried and shriveled skins they lay, faint, parched with heat for many a day expecting, long in vain, the showers withheld by Air's malignant powers. The frogs that bleat, and those that low, brown, green, on men all wealth bestow. The kind that on our pastures graze,we owe to them, with length of days." This hymn is a satire to the Brahmans but an encomium to the frogs. The Rig-Vedic people thought that frogs emitted their voice being roused by the showers of heaven. They even believed that frogs were the givers of hundreds of cows to them and they also lengthened their life in the rich autumn. - excerpt from "Frog Worship: A Unique Culture," by Nirish Nepal
Before we get too hasty, I will note that Judaism and Christianity have certainly had their fill of icon worship throughout history.
My main point here is that there are significant differences in the major religions of the world. But, maybe I'm just biased. In one commentary, a professing atheist made a comment that frog worship is no different than worshiping a cross.
How is worshiping with eyes on a cross different from worshiping a color-changing frog?
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- From: BookMark61@xanga
- Name: Brett
- About Me: Theology, sociology and psychology fascinate me. Why do we hold the views we do?
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Comments (121)
Its not different. They're both symbols.
But of course Christians will desperately search for any "logical" basis for where its "different" just so they can pretend like their religion has nothing in common with any other religion on earth.
Well at least people aren't demanding that everyone else worship the frog. Supersticious, but harmless. I really liked the hymn about it.
...well, people in India will worship a spoon if they deem it miraculous enough. I should know, I'm Indian.
But those are generally the people who are destitute enough to find hope in anything, even a frog.
Not saying it's a bad thing, but...we are a superstitious bunch. Heh.
But what I want to know is what this has to do with all religions being the same...
@lovechartreuse@xanga - Oh, how true.
T'isn't.
Better a frog than the image of Mary burnt into a grilled cheese...
The poor frog must be wondering what sin it has committed.
I guess a cross has a longer shelf life than a frog. Also the Egyptians weren't invaded by a bunch of crosses hopping out of the river.
I'd worship that frog any day.
The cross is a symbol that reminds us of why we worship Christ: because he took the penalty of the sins of the world on Himself. I've never known any Christians who actually worshiped a cross or prayed to one, asking "Dear heavenly cross, please help me with (whatever)..." If someone did worship and pray to a cross, then no, that would be no different.
Well, I don't worship the cross, but if I did, then it would be no different..
But I wouldn't wear a frog around my neck either...
Christians don't worship a cross or look to a cross for answers to prayer....and if they do, they're very misguided. There is nothing magical about a cross, for any reason - wearing one, having one in or on a church, or anywhere - it's merely a symbol that labels Christians as Christians. It's not intended to be worshiped or given any special powers, at least for non-Catholics. Christians worship a God who has actually done something for them and is involved in their lives on a daily basis. A frog would be altogether different.
@musicmom60@xanga - Catholics don't worship or believe the cross/crucifix holds any special magic power either
@mentally_ill_hil@xanga - No, but i think a lot of people mistakenly believe that they do. Not being a Catholic, I could only speak for non-Catholics, but I'm glad that you chimed in and set the record straight.
@musicmom60@xanga - Catholics don't worship the cross. In fact, we look to the cross in the same exact way you do -- "It's merely a symbol that labels Christians as Christians." The cross is simply a reminder of our faith and Christ's sacrifice.
@ColonelSanders@xanga - "The cross is a symbol that reminds us of why we worship Christ: because he took the penalty of the sins of the world on Himself." Exactly! I couldn't have said it better myself.
well. i don't believe the cross is worthy of worship. it's an instrument of torture and a symbol of pax romana.
of course, neither do i believe a color-changing frog is worthy of worship. but it is pretty effing awesome, and i would personally love to meet one of these frogs.@Winds_of_Change - I realize we don't worship a cross, but see post just below yours; there are misconceptions all over the place. People see a symbol, and they assume we worship the symbol - I suppose that's because they don't understand what it is, or rather WHO it is, we really do worship.
Worshiping a frog is worshiping an object. Christians do not worship an object, but a person - God incarnate. The cross is only a symbol of the victory over death that Christ won for us when he took our sin upon himself.
i agree with musicmom60. Christians DO NOT worship the cross, its just a symbol of what they believe in. i used to be a catholic as well, and i do think most of them do think like that. but its just what i think. hehe
1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
4 And declared F1 to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience F2 to the faith among all nations, for his name:
6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:
7 To
all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you
and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with F3 my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;
10 Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.
11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;
12 That is, that I may be comforted together with F4 you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
13 Now
I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to
come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit
among F5 you also, even as among other Gentiles.
14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.
15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
16 For
I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God
unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also
to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
18 For
the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and
unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; F6 for God hath shewed it unto them.
20 For
the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly
seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal
power and Godhead; so F7 that they are without excuse:
21 Because
that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were
thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish
heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23 And
changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to
corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping
things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness
through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies
between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and
worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is
blessed for ever. Amen. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile
affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that
which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use
of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men
working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that
recompence of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain F8 God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
29 Being
filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness,
maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity;
whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32 Who
knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are
worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that
do them.
It is a real shame these people are not french as they would eat the frog before it changed colour it would be a real delicacy in france!
In the bible it talks that men would worship animals rather than the creator, the bits that I have highlighted in italics, changing the glory of the uncorruptable god into animals and creeping things.
It also says that the manifest presence of god is clearly seen in creation and that people are without excuse
Joh 14:6 - Show ContextJesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. jesus says he is the only way, there is no other way through any other religion other than through jesus!Perhaps comparing it to the cross wasn't the most accurate comparison. Perhaps it would be closer to say that it's like praying to the Saints or Mary for Catholics. That is something, to be quite frank, I have never understood, but every Catholic I've ever tried to ask about it got all foamy when I started to question it.
It's not so much worshipping the cross. At least to me it's not. The cross is a symbol that represents where Christ was crucified. We, as Christ said, are to crucify this flesh daily. To be technical, my eyes are not on a cross when I worship. My eyes are closed and plus, the cross in the church isn't infront of me [I'm in the choir]. Anyway, point being, I don't expect the cross to do anything. I don't pray to the cross. I pray to God.
This world is full of different religions and I can't stand when people say that each religion is the same. It makes me sick.
@rhymeweaver@xanga - You may want to check out the Catholic Encyclopedia's article on prayer. It won't get all foamy on you, and you can still get an answer. It's nice that way.
It would probably be helpful to read the articles on Christian Worship and Idolatry to understand some of the distinctions involved (i.e. adoration and veneration).
@lovechartreuse@xanga - Painting is often done more effectively without such a broad brush.
Not all Christians wish to pretend that Christianity, as you said, "has nothing in common with any other religion on earth."
For example, in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (Part One,Paragraph 3,Section 843) it is acknowledged that there is "goodness and truth" in other religions, and that these things are very much connected to the truth of Christianity, that they are given by the same God.
@deltadom@xanga - Thanks for cluttering up space. I have a bible, its just that it would nice if you gave your own opinion instead of using chapter and verse.
@theOrientalist@xanga
yes but have you read it! If you would have read it I actually do give my opinion stating those verses used, as if I quoted you, then misquoted you that would be a serious offence.
Isnt it wise to back what I am saying quoting my sources. I also think using the bible so whether you like it or not part of my opinion will include the bible.anyway