the facts

True..  

-------Original Message----- --

From: d_3_8_69

Date: 6/14/2009 6:37:05 PM

To: israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com

Subject: Fw: Re: [israeliteidentity] Re: the facts

So not all Whites are Israelites?

--- In israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com, "isaiah14" <isaiah14@.. .> wrote:
>
> The Caucasians are Hebrews and Israelites. All Israelites are Hebrews but
> not all Hebrews are Israelites. The Black race is behemeth, and the Asian
> race is Enosh. Many scientist believe that the Asian race is actually a
> hybrid race..
>
> -------Original Message----- --
>
> From: Debunks
> Date: 6/14/2009 11:03:28 AM
> To: israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com
> Subject: Re: Fw: Re: [israeliteidentity] Re: the facts
>
> Teri, we want you to cite all the 'beasts' in the images below. Point out
> the Caucasians, Negroes, Asians, and Indians.
>
> -------Original Message----- --
>
> From: isaiah14
> Date: 6/12/2009 2:37:06 PM
> To: israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com
> Subject: Re: Fw: Re: [israeliteidentity] Re: the facts
>
> You are under God's curse. You are insulting one of his children. Satan has
> been using you for a long time.
>
> -------Original Message----- --
>
> From: Debunks
> Date: 6/12/2009 4:07:19 PM
> To: israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com
> Subject: Fw: Re: [israeliteidentity] Re: the facts
>
> Teri still has to answer the following, too.
>
> -------Original Message----- --
>
> From: JPB
> Date: 5/15/2009 3:35:26 PM
> To: israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com
> Subject: Re: [israeliteidentity] Re: the facts
>
> Teri, who is SO infatuated with his white skin, ought to focus all his
> energy on ETERNITY, because when you enter there, brother, you won't be
> wearing ANY skin at all -
> your bones will be left to rot in a grave or else will be burned to ashes in
> a crematoria - But since you place so much stock in race, point out to us
> the races of the following -
>
> What race? What race?
>
> What race? What race?
>
> What race? What race?
>
>
> What race? Race? Race?
>
> Race? Race?
>
> Race? Teri's END.
>
> -------Original Message----- --
>
> From: Viva Veridad
> Date: 5/15/2009 2:58:47 PM
> To: israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com
> Subject: Re: [israeliteidentity] Re: the facts
>
> Amen!
>
>
>
>
>
>
> From: d_3_8_69 <D3869@...>
> To: israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com
> Sent: Friday, May 15, 2009 5:01:03 PM
> Subject: [israeliteidentity] Re: the facts
>
>
> Contributions?
> Yours are distortions, half truths, and plain, vile HATRED!
>
> --- In israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com, "Jacob Israel" <ji@> wrote:
> >
> > <<< Gabrich's mother probably only fetched a dozen chickens. No need for a
> rooster.>>>
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Are you trying to prove, once again, that the only contribution to this
> “discussion� from you easily beguiled whores is character assassination?
> Isn’t that the same lack of response to the topic at hand that we got from
> faith BULL!:
> >
> >
> >
> > <<<It would never survive in our church. It's more at home in your
> non-denomination groupings! Like Bohemian Grove - with all your so WHITE
> brethern!>>>
> >
> >
> >
> > Jesus said to follow God's COMMANDMENTS, not some highly recommended hints
> or suggestions:
> >
> >
> >
> > John 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that
> loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will
> love him, and will manifest myself to him.
> >
> >
> >
> > What you niggerized race mixing whores follow is the exact OPPOSITE. There
> s not a SINGLE one of God's commandments, in particular EACH ONE of the ten
> COMMANDMENTS [not ten suggestions] , that you haven't twisted into a mental
> pretzel.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > That makes your "church" THE anti-Christ! ~
> >
> >
> >
> > http://christianpar ty.net/rcc. htm
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > John Knight
> >
> >
> >
> > From: israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com [mailto:israeliteid entity@
> yahoogroups. com] On Behalf Of d_3_8_69
> > Sent: Friday, May 15, 2009 12:49 PM
> > To: israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com
> > Subject: [israeliteidentity] Re: the facts
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Gabrich's mother probably only fetched a dozen chickens. No need for a
> rooster.
> >
> > --- In israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com <mailto:israeliteid
> entity%40yahoogr oups.com> , Viva Veridad <vivaveridad@ > wrote:
> > >
> > > Terry gets down and dirty, revealing his disgustingly low mentality. We
> knew he was dim, but now it's all revealed how filthy he is.
> > >
> > > And he purports to be a "man of God." What a joke! "Birds of a feather
> flock together." Terry and John Knight are really sick birds.
> > >
> > > Saved? Hardly.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ____________ _________ _________ __
> > > From: isaiah14 <isaiah14@>
> > > To: israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com <mailto:israeliteid
> entity%40yahoogr oups.com>
> > > Sent: Friday, May 15, 2009 10:11:33 AM
> > > Subject: Re: [israeliteidentity] Re: the facts
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > How many did your father have to hump to buy your mother stupid?
> > >
> > > -------Original Message----- --
> > >
> > > From: d3869
> > > Date: 5/15/2009 1:22:40 AM
> > > To: israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com
> > > Subject: [israeliteidentity] Re: the facts
> > >
> > > Tell me, Knight of the Toilets, How many goats and donkeys did your
> father have to cough up to buy your mother?
> > >
> > > --- In israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com, blackexilenow
> <blackexilenow@ ....> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Furthermore, we have PROOF in their own words, from all three whores,
> that
> > > > they DO actually comprehend the real Word of God, because at least ONE
> of
> > > > them was able to paraphrase it ACCURATELY, and NONE of them refuted
> that it
> > > > was an accurate paraphrase:
> > > >
> > > > From: "Viva Veridad" <vivaveridad@ yahoo.ca>
> > > > To: <israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com>
> > > > Sent: Sunday, May 10, 2009 4:39 PM
> > > > Subject: Re: [israeliteidentity] the facts
> > > >
> > > > TOTAL RUBBISH, the following:
> > > > [read: Jesus is not the head of woman. Jesus is the head of man. Man
> is
> > > > the head of woman, and God is the head of Jesus. Women must be
> obedient to
> > > > their men, not to God nor to Jesus..]
> > > >
> > > > This means that women must pay no attention to God, to Jesus, but only
> to
> > > > men!
> > > >
> > > > What a laugh!
> > > >
> > > > It's a good thing I know there are intelligent men around for if women
> had
> > > > to be subservient to the likes of John Knight and Terry Gabrich, that
> would
> > > > be the ultimate in INSULT to womanhood. It would be like God caving in
> to
> > > > the Devil!
> > > >
> > > > No, my very stupid friends, men are as imperfect as the rest of us,
> and no
> > > > woman has to be obedient to a man who turns out to be an IDIOT!
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > On Thu, May 14, 2009 at 11:03 AM, isaiah14 <isaiah14@ .> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > No you are in a pagan religion. You still want to try to prove that
> > > > > Jesus Christ started the roman catholic church when there is no
> historical
> > > > > basis for it. Peter was never the first pope, and there is proof of
> that. Go
> > > > > ahead worship Mary and the saints, I would rather know Jesus Christ.
> > > > >
> > > > > *-------Original Message----- --*
> > > > >
> > > > > *From:* Viva Veridad <vivaveridad@ ...>
> > > > > *Date:* 5/14/2009 10:02:17 AM
> > > > > *To:* israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com
> > > > > *Subject:* Re: [israeliteidentity] RE: the facts
> > > > >
> > > > > You're trying hard to convince yourself of that, aren't you?
> > > > >
> > > > > Truth abides with us. We are Israel.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > ------------ --------- ---------
> > > > > *From:* isaiah14 <isaiah14@ .>
> > > > > *To:* israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com
> > > > > *Sent:* Thursday, May 14, 2009 8:54:43 AM
> > > > > *Subject:* Re: [israeliteidentity] RE: the facts
> > > > >
> > > > > You don't have any historical truth. Jesus Christ did not start the
> > > > > roman catholic church, and peter was never its first pope.
> > > > >
> > > > > *-------Original Message----- --*
> > > > >
> > > > > *From:* Viva Veridad <vivaveridad@ ...>
> > > > > *Date:* 5/14/2009 6:16:27 AM
> > > > > *To:* israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com<israeliteidenti ty@
> yahoogroups. com>
> > > > > *Subject:* Re: [israeliteidentity] RE: the facts
> > > > >
> > > > > Your words drip lavishly with ignorance.
> > > > >
> > > > > You can't compete with historical truth.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > ------------ --------- ---------
> > > > > *From:* isaiah14 <isaiah14@sbcglobal . net>
> > > > > *To:* israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com
> > > > > *Sent:* Thursday, May 14, 2009 2:19:17 AM
> > > > > *Subject:* Re: [israeliteidentity] RE: the facts
> > > > >
> > > > > Yea right. You are so far a way from the truth. Constantine started
> > > > > your religion.
> > > > >
> > > > > *-------Original Message----- --*
> > > > >
> > > > > *From:* Viva Veridad <vivaveridad@ ...>
> > > > > *Date:* 5/13/2009 8:06:02 PM
> > > > > *To:* israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com<israeliteidenti ty@
> yahoogroups. com>
> > > > > *Subject:* Re: [israeliteidentity] RE: the facts
> > > > >
> > > > > We do. You don't.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > ------------ --------- ---------
> > > > > *From:* isaiah14 <isaiah14@sbcglobal . net>
> > > > > *To:* israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com
> > > > > *Sent:* Wednesday, May 13, 2009 7:11:38 PM
> > > > > *Subject:* Re: [israeliteidentity] RE: the facts
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > No you aren't. You are a roman catholic. You don't follow the
> > > > > Israelites of the Bible. You follow the false teachings of the roman
> > > > > catholic church.
> > > > >
> > > > > *-------Original Message----- --*
> > > > >
> > > > > *From:* Viva Veridad <vivaveridad@ ...>
> > > > > *Date:* 5/13/2009 4:10:50 PM
> > > > > *To:* israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com<israeliteidenti ty@
> yahoogroups. com>
> > > > > *Subject:* Re: [israeliteidentity] RE: the facts
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Yes, we who follow Jesus Christ are ISRAEL.
> > > > >
> > > > > Viva Israel!
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > ------------ --------- ---------
> > > > > *From:* JPB <debunks@sbcglobal. net>
> > > > > *To:* israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. . com
> > > > > *Sent:* Wednesday, May 13, 2009 4:41:32 PM
> > > > > *Subject:* Re: [israeliteidentity] RE: the facts
> > > > >
> > > > > Well Teri certainly is not Israel, we are. He does not partake of
> the
> > > > > Eucharist, therefore he has 'no life in him,' according to Jesus
> Christ.
> > > > >
> > > > > *-------Original Message----- --*
> > > > >
> > > > > *From:* isaiah14 <isaiah14@ .>
> > > > > *Date:* 5/11/2009 12:06:01 PM
> > > > > *To:* israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com<israeliteidenti ty@
> yahoogroups. com>
> > > > > *Subject:* Re: [israeliteidentity] RE: the facts
> > > > >
> > > > > Not true. It is God's people Israel that he blesses more. Get use to
> it.
> > > > > Get use to the idea that there will be those that will never, and
> can never
> > > > > enter into God's kingdom.
> > > > >
> > > > > *-------Original Message----- --*
> > > > >
> > > > > *From:* Viva Veridad <vivaveridad@ ...>
> > > > > *Date:* 5/11/2009 12:38:57 PM
> > > > > *To:* israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com<israeliteidenti ty@
> yahoogroups. com>
> > > > > *Subject:* Re: [israeliteidentity] RE: the facts
> > > > >
> > > > > Like it or lump it, it's here. Get used to it.
> > > > >
> > > > > God blesses the heart not the colour of the skin.
> > > > >
> > > > > ------------ --------- ---------
> > > > > *From:* isaiah14 <isaiah14@sbcglobal . net>
> > > > > *To:* israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com
> > > > > *Sent:* Monday, May 11, 2009 1:18:01 PM
> > > > > *Subject:* Re: [israeliteidentity] RE: the facts
> > > > >
> > > > > God didn't create many species of people in the world today... They
> were
> > > > > created by intermarriage which God hates.
> > > > >
> > > > > *-------Original Message----- --*
> > > > >
> > > > > *From:* Viva Veridad <vivaveridad@ ...>
> > > > > *Date:* 5/11/2009 12:01:55 PM
> > > > > *To:* israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com<israeliteidenti ty@
> yahoogroups. com>
> > > > > *Subject:* Re: [israeliteidentity] RE: the facts
> > > > >
> > > > > God is the only CREATOR in existence, you fool!
> > > > >
> > > > > He created ALL living beings.
> > > > >
> > > > > Whether you like it or not.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > ------------ --------- ---------
> > > > > *From:* isaiah14 <isaiah14@sbcglobal . net>
> > > > > *To:* israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com
> > > > > *Sent:* Monday, May 11, 2009 12:52:39 PM
> > > > > *Subject:* Re: [israeliteidentity] RE: the facts
> > > > >
> > > > > God says that he hates them, and they hate God and Jesus Christ. As
> for
> > > > > God creating anything sacred. He didn't create the mixed races.
> > > > >
> > > > > *-------Original Message----- --*
> > > > >
> > > > > *From:* Viva Veridad <vivaveridad@ ...>
> > > > > *Date:* 5/11/2009 10:43:12 AM
> > > > > *To:* israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com<israeliteidenti ty@
> yahoogroups. com>
> > > > > *Subject:* Re: [israeliteidentity] RE: the facts
> > > > >
> > > > > God hasn't rejected the Jews. He has rejected SINNING.
> > > > >
> > > > > He will judge each of us separately, according to our works,
> according to
> > > > > how WE TREATED OUR FELLOW MAN (includes all of mankind).
> > > > >
> > > > > Jesus loves all of us equally. On earth he is like a lamb, but when
> we die
> > > > > and after that the dread judgment, He will be like a LION to those
> who died
> > > > > unrepentant (that means for all of the sins they committed on this
> earth
> > > > > from birth to death, sins of omission, sins of commission, sins of
> > > > > thought...just think about it. That entails a lot.)
> > > > >
> > > > > Asking Jesus to be one's personal saviour and deciding one has a
> > > > > relationship with him, meanwhile behaving disgracefully to others,
> does not
> > > > > render one saved "under the blood of Jesus Christ." That's just the
> Church
> > > > > of the Free Lunch - non-existent - that Terry belongs to.
> > > > >
> > > > > Remember, each and every one of us was born equal in the eyes of God
> and
> > > > > as such we are brothers and sisters in His great family, and as such
> we
> > > > > should behave like brothers and sisters - otherwise we offend God by
> hating
> > > > > his creation.
> > > > >
> > > > > Anything that God created, anyone that God chose for a special role,
> is
> > > > > SACRED.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > ------------ --------- ---------
> > > > > *From:* isaiah14 <isaiah14@sbcglobal . net>
> > > > > *To:* israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com
> > > > > *Sent:* Monday, May 11, 2009 8:53:15 AM
> > > > > *Subject:* Re: [israeliteidentity] RE: the facts
> > > > >
> > > > > God rejected Esau/Edom Malachi 1:1-4. Also when you consider that a
> > > > > mamzer (the product of an interracial marriage. Mamzer literally
> means
> > > > > mongrel, half bred) is not to enter into the congregation of the
> Lord.
> > > > > (Deuteronomy 23:2), Yes, God does reject certain people. God has
> rejected
> > > > > the Jews for one thing. The Jews are Esau/Edom.
> > > > >
> > > > > *-------Original Message----- --*
> > > > >
> > > > > *From:* melvinalexander <melvinalexander@ ...>
> > > > > *Date:* 5/11/2009 7:18:32 AM
> > > > > *To:* israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com<israeliteidenti ty@
> yahoogroups. com>
> > > > > *Subject:* Re: [israeliteidentity] RE: the facts
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > God does not reject anyone. He rejects sin.
> > > > >
> > > > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > > > From: "isaiah14" <isaiah14@sbcglobal . net <isaiah14%40sbcglob al
> net>>
> > > > > To: <israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com<israeliteidenti
> ty%40yahoogroups .com>
> > > > > >
> > > > > Sent: Monday, May 11, 2009 1:07 AM
> > > > > Subject: Re: [israeliteidentity] RE: the facts
> > > > >
> > > > > God has rejected you because you rejected Jesus Christ. You are an
> > > > > idolater.
> > > > >
> > > > > -------Original Message----- --
> > > > >
> > > > > From: Viva Veridad
> > > > > Date: 05/10/09 20:05:59
> > > > > To: israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com<israeliteidenti
> ty%40yahoogroups .com>
> > > > > Subject: Re: [israeliteidentity] RE: the facts
> > > > >
> > > > > God preserve us from people like John Knight!
> > > > >
> > > > > If I were a person who didn't believe in God, I would be so put off
> > > > > religion
> > > > > by what I have just read in the tirade below. I wouldn't even want
> to know
> > > > > about God if I thought John Knight represented God's anointed. But
> > > > > thankfully, John Knight does not!!!
> > > > >
> > > > > John Knight couldn't convince ANYONE on the planet that there is a
> God,
> > > > > because (a) he has no understanding of how to behave towards his
> fellow
> > > > > man,
> > > > > and (b) he is a racist and a bigot, and he really doesn't care
> whether a
> > > > > person believes in God or not.
> > > > >
> > > > > From: Jacob Israel <ji@christianparty. net <ji%40christianpart y
> net>>
> > > > > To: houseisrael@ yahoogroups. com <houseisrael% 40yahoogroups. com>;
> Israelites@yahoogro
> > > > > ups.com <Israelites% 40yahoogroups. com>;
> > > > > israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com <israeliteidentity%
> 40yahoogroups. com>;
> > > > > hilloftorah@ yahoogroups. com <hilloftorah% 40yahoogroups. com>;
> > > > > christiandentity@ yahoogroups. com <christiandentity% 40yahoogroups.
> com>; identity@yahoogroup
> > > > > s.com <identity%40yahoogr oups.com> ;
> > > > > TWOMIFTG@yahoogroup s.com <TWOMIFTG%40yahoogr oups.com> ;
> thespiritofjacob@
> > > > > yahoogroups. com <thespiritofjacob% 40yahoogroups. com>;
> > > > > christiandentity@ yahoogroups. com <christiandentity% 40yahoogroups.
> com>; jewsareedom@
> > > > > yahoogroups. com <jewsareedom% 40yahoogroups. com>;
> > > > > mamzers@yahoogroups .com <mamzers%40yahoogro ups.com>
> > > > > Sent: Sunday, May 10, 2009 8:36:03 PM
> > > > > Subject: [israeliteidentity] RE: the facts
> > > > >
> > > > > <<< Where are the "Facts" that there is a God. There aren't any!>>>
> > > > >
> > > > > Of course not. You niggers have no god. You are godless pagans and
> always
> > > > > will be no matter how much Christians try to explain it to you.
> > > > >
> > > > > The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is the God of ONLY the House of
> ISRAEL
> > > > > and House of Judah [who are NOT jews, as jews CLAIM to be godless
> > > > > Edomites].
> > > > >
> > > > > He is also NOT the God of many pure Israelite descendants of Jacob
> which
> > > > > people like Catholics MIGHT be, because HE rejected them millennia
> ago.
> > > > >
> > > > > You're absolutely right. You have no god. Just like all the cities
> and
> > > > > buildings and roads and bridges you see around you, it was us
> honkies who
> > > > > built the stars and the planets and Earth and the continents, and we
> just
> > > > > blamed it on Him.
> > > > >
> > > > > http://christianpar ty.net/pagans. htm
> > > > >
> > > > > John Knight
> > > > >
> > > > > From: Flack Flack [mailto:fa2a38@ hotmail.com]
> > > > > Sent: Sunday, May 10, 2009 3:39 PM
> > > > > To: jk@israeliteidentit y.com
> > > > > Subject: RE: the facts
> > > > >
> > > > > Where are the "Facts" that there is a God. There aren't any!
> > > > >
> > > > > From: jk@israeliteidentit y.com
> > > > > To: ji@christianparty. net
> > > > > Subject: RE: the facts
> > > > > Date: Sun, 10 May 2009 10:06:12 -0700
> > > > >
> > > > > <<< Exactly. Have you noticed how Teri completely IGNORES the fact
> that he
> > > > > and his idol knight have repeatedly demanded that women be STONED to
> > > > > DEATH????>>>
> > > > >
> > > > > To simply QUOTE the Word of God is not to DEMAND something, you
> pagan
> > > > > *idiot*..
> > > > >
> > > > > It's YOU, not US, who reject the Word of God, and we've gained
> NOTHING and
> > > > > lost MUCH by even entertaining your pagan misery, particularly when
> it
> > > > > comes
> > > > > to embracing niggers!!:
> > > > >
> > > > > http://christianpar ty.net/execution s.htm
> > > > >
> > > > > John Knight
> > > > >
> > > > > From: israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com [mailto:israeliteid
> > > > > entity@yahoogrou ps.com] On Behalf Of JPB
> > > > > Sent: Monday, May 04, 2009 12:14 AM
> > > > > To: israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com
> > > > > Subject: Re: [israeliteidentity] RE: the facts
> > > > >
> > > > > Exactly. Have you noticed how Teri completely IGNORES the fact that
> he and
> > > > > his idol knight have repeatedly demanded that women be STONED to
> DEATH????
> > > > >
> > > > > -------Original Message----- --
> > > > >
> > > > > From: Viva Veridad
> > > > > Date: 4/30/2009 6:30:16 AM
> > > > > To: israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com
> > > > > Subject: Re: [israeliteidentity] RE: the facts
> > > > >
> > > > > Yes, Terry will say that the 13-year old, who knew the penalty for
> > > > > adultery,
> > > > > was "asking for it."
> > > > >
> > > > > Terry is a dangerously stupid man to be let loose on society.
> > > > >
> > > > > He was in the forces, Joseph, in other people's countries. God only
> knows
> > > > > what terror he inflicted on those he looks down on and denigrates.
> He is
> > > > > the type of soldier that brings shame to their own nation.
> > > > >
> > > > > From: isaiah14 <isaiah14@sbcglobal . net>
> > > > > To: israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com
> > > > > Sent: Thursday, April 30, 2009 8:30:00 AM
> > > > > Subject: Re: [israeliteidentity] RE: the facts
> > > > > You are so stupid. This was in a black nation where witchcraft
> abounds.
> > > > > This
> > > > > is what roman catholics do stupid.
> > > > >
> > > > > -------Original Message----- --
> > > > >
> > > > > From: JPB
> > > > > Date: 4/30/2009 1:13:41 AM
> > > > > To: israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com
> > > > > Subject: Re: [israeliteidentity] RE: the facts
> > > > >
> > > > > And here is exactly where their type of insanity ultimately leads -
> did you
> > > > > read this story? Teri will undoubtedly say this girl was 'begging'
> for it,
> > > > > right, Teri?
> > > > >
> > > > > NOVEMBER 1, 2008 4:30PM
> > > > > 13 Year Old Girl Confirmed Dead
> > > > > [Tip!]
> > > > >
> > > > > Kicking and screaming in terror, the girl was carried into the
> stadium. 1
> > > > > 000 onlookers watched as her hands and legs were forcefully bound.
> > > > > When anguished family members broke from the crowd and ran towards
> her, the
> > > > > militia opened fire. A small boy was killed.
> > > > > 13 year old Aisha Ibrahim Duhulow was buried up to her neck and a
> cape was
> > > > > placed over her head, leaving only her face exposed. 50 men hurled
> stones
> > > > > at
> > > > > her face from the truckload unloaded earlier that day.
> > > > > Her crime was being raped by 3 men. When she reported the rape to
> the
> > > > > militia who control Kismayo, Somalia, she was charged with
> fornication
> > > > > (adultery) and sentenced to death by stoning. At 13.
> > > > > Her father told Amnesty International the act of reporting the crime
> > > > > resulted in her accusation..
> > > > > "She officially confirmed her guilt" Sheikh Hayakalah, the Sharia
> court
> > > > > judge, said in remarks broadcast on Radio Shabelle.
> > > > > According to onlookers, 3 times nurses were instructed to check
> whether she
> > > > > was still alive. They pulled the teen from the ground, declared she
> was
> > > > > still alive and put her back in the hole for the stoning to continue
>
> > > > > David Copeman of Amnesty International said "This was not justice,
> nor was
> > > > > it an execution. This child suffered a horrendous death..."
> > > > > None of men who raped her were arrested.
> > > > >
> > > > > Reference Links:
> > > > >
> > > > > -------Original Message----- --
> > > > >
> > > > > From: Viva Veridad
> > > > > Date: 4/29/2009 7:13:47 PM
> > > > > To: israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com
> > > > > Subject: Re: [israeliteidentity] RE: the facts
> > > > >
> > > > > That's right, JohnKnight's favourite pastime - stoning people -
> aided and
> > > > > abetted by peon Terry.
> > > > >
> > > > > From: JPB <debunks@sbcglobal. net>
> > > > > To: israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com
> > > > > Sent: Wednesday, April 29, 2009 9:20:53 PM
> > > > > Subject: Re: [israeliteidentity] RE: the facts
> > > > > He sure would - I can see terry and knight right now, too -
> > > > >
> > > > > -------Original Message----- --
> > > > >
> > > > > From: Viva Veridad
> > > > > Date: 4/29/2009 5:26:57 PM
> > > > > To: israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com
> > > > > Subject: Re: [israeliteidentity] RE: the facts
> > > > >
> > > > > And he would enjoy butchering Catholics again!
> > > > >
> > > > > From: JPB <debunks@sbcglobal. net>
> > > > > To: israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com
> > > > > Sent: Wednesday, April 29, 2009 8:05:49 PM
> > > > > Subject: Re: [israeliteidentity] RE: the facts
> > > > > Read how your pagan ancestors butchered Catholics in the apostolic
> age-
> > > > >
> > > > > Blandina and Perpetua
> > > > >
> > > > > "Suffer me to become food for the wild beasts, through whose
> > > > > instrumentality
> > > > > it will be granted me to attain to God. I am the wheat of God, and
> let me
> > > > > be
> > > > > ground by the teeth of the wild beasts, that I may be found the pure
> bread
> > > > > of Christ."
> > > > > Ignatius, Epistle to the Romans (IV.1)
> > > > > The martyrdom of Blandina is presented in the Historia Ecclesiastica
> of
> > > > > Eusebius (V.1), who quotes from a letter written by the Christian
> > > > > communities in Lyon and Vienne, recounting the persecutions that had
> > > > > occurred there in the summer of AD 177. There was a xenophobic
> prejudice
> > > > > against the Christians of these Gallic towns, many of whom were
> immigrants
> > > > > from Asia Minor. Prohibited from appearing in public places and
> > > > > increasingly
> > > > > subject to abuse and imprisonment, the Christians of Lyon eventually
> were
> > > > > arrested.
> > > > > Interrogated in the forum by the provincial governor, those who
> professed
> > > > > to
> > > > > being Christians and did not save themselves by renouncing their
> faith were
> > > > > horribly tortured and condemned to the beasts of the amphitheater,
> being
> > > > > made all day long a spectacle to the world in place of the
> gladiatorial
> > > > > contest in its many forms" (V.1.40). Blandina, a slave girl, was the
> last
> > > > > to
> > > > > die. Hung from a post, she was exposed to wild animals, but they
> would not
> > > > > attack. Repeatedly tortured ("the heathen themselves admitted that
> never
> > > > > yet
> > > > > had they known a woman suffer so much or so long," V.1.56), she
> eventually
> > > > > was ensnared in a net and trampled beneath the feet of a bull. Her
> body,
> > > > > and
> > > > > those of others who had been martyred, was left unburied, guarded by
> > > > > soldiers. After six days, the remains were burnt and the ashes cast
> into
> > > > > the
> > > > > Rhône.
> > > > > The archetype of all later acts of Christian martyrs is that
> Perpetua, a
> > > > > well-born women of Carthage, whose passion (passio) is told by
> Tertullian.
> > > > > Arrested and put in prison, where she was baptized and gave birth,
> she kept
> > > > > a diary. "A few days later we were lodged in the prison; and I was
> > > > > terrified
> > > > > as I had never been in such a dark hole.. What a difficult time it
> was! With
> > > > > the crowd the heat was stifling; then there was the extortion of the
> > > > > soldiers; and to crown all, I was tortured with worry for my baby
> there" (I
> > > > > 2). The night before she was to die in the arena, she dreamed that
> she
> > > > > fought a diabolic Egyptian and defeated him before Christ, her
> heavenly
> > > > > trainer (lanista), walking victorious through the Porta Sanavivaria
> (Gate
> > > > > of
> > > > > Life). Martyrs often were idealized as combatants, the spectacle of
> the
> > > > > arena transposed to the struggle with Satan, imagery which Eusebius,
> > > > > himself
> > > > > uses in speaking of Blandina: "A small, weak, despised woman, who
> had put
> > > > > on Christ, the great invincible champion, and in bout after bout had
> > > > > defeated her adversary and through conflict had won the crown of
> > > > > immortality
> > > > > "
> > > > > Perpetua awoke, knowing that she would triumph the next day. "So
> much for
> > > > > what I did up until the eve of the contest," she writes. "About what
> > > > > happened at the contest itself, let him write of it who will" (III
> 2).
> > > > > Indeed, the events of that day were witnessed and recorded. As an
> > > > > additional
> > > > > humiliation, Perpetua and her maid-servant Felicitas were to be
> dressed as
> > > > > the priestesses of Ceres, which they refused to do. Like Blandina,
> they
> > > > > then
> > > > > were placed in nets to be trampled to death. In her passion,
> Perpetua did
> > > > > not even realize her ordeal until she saw that her tunic had been
> torn and
> > > > > the marks on her body. Later, in the center of the arena, she waited
> with
> > > > > the others for the thrust of the sword and "took the trembling hand
> of the
> > > > > young gladiator and guided it to her throat" (VI.4).
> > > > > Perpetua died in March AD 203 as part of the birthday celebration of
> Geta,
> > > > > the younger son of Septimius Severus. She was twenty-two years old,
> the
> > > > > same
> > > > > age as Geta when he was murdered by his brother.
> > > > >
> > > > > "Your blood is the key to Paradise."
> > > > > Tertullian, De Anima (LV.4-5)
> > > > > When another martyr, Attalus, was paraded in the arena of Lyon,
> preceded by
> > > > > a placard declaring him to be a Christian, it was discovered that he
> was a
> > > > > Roman citizen. Instructions were asked of the emperor Marcus
> Aurelius,
> > > > > which
> > > > > in due course, arrived. They essentially were the same as those of
> Trajan
> > > > > to Pliny the Younger, when he was governor of Bithynia in AD 112
> (Letters,
> > > > > X
> > > > > 96-97), complaining about the perverse obstinacy of the Christians:
> those
> > > > > who persisted in professing their faith were to be punished and
> those who
> > > > > recanted and worshiped the gods, pardoned. Trajan's other admonition
> that
> > > > > Christians were not be sought out, seems to have been ignored (cf.
> > > > > Tertullian, Apology, II, " forbidden to be sought, he was found").
> > > > > Accordingly, those Christians who were Roman citizens were beheaded
> and the
> > > > > rest condemned ad bestias, including Attalus.
> > > > > One is struck by the hatred of the people, who furiously had
> demanded
> > > > > Attalus by name. Certainly, the contumacious refusal to recant, even
> under
> > > > > torture, infuriated the populace, as well as the magistrates, who,
> says
> > > > > Origen, "are greatly distressed at seeing those who bear outrage and
> > > > > torture
> > > > > with patience, but are greatly elated when a Christian gives way
> under it"
> > > > > (Contra Celsus, VIII.44). To appreciate why, one must remember the
> stern
> > > > > admonition of Jesus that "whosoever shall deny me before men, him
> will I
> > > > > also deny before my Father which is in heaven" (Matthew, X.33).
> Marcus
> > > > > Aurelius, whose Meditations were written about this time, also was
> > > > > perturbed
> > > > > by such unreasonable stubbornness and regarded a readiness to die to
> come
> > > > > from judgment, "not out of sheer opposition like the Christians, but
> after
> > > > > reflection and with dignity, and so as to convince others, without
> > > > > histrionic display" (XI.3), a remark that may have been prompted by
> the
> > > > > events in Lyon.
> > > > > To honor the pagan gods was to expect their protection and avert the
> > > > > misfortunes, whether famine, disease, or drought, that might result
> from
> > > > > their neglect. It therefore seemed inexplicable to the inhabitants
> of Lyon
> > > > > that martyrs would die for their faith, especially since only a
> worshipful
> > > > > gesture of honor and conformity to tradition was all that was
> required of
> > > > > them. "'Where is their god? and what did they get for their religion
> which
> > > > > they preferred to their own lives?'" (V.1.60). Nor was death, itself
>
> > > > > sufficient. The bodies of the Christians were denied burial, so "
> that they
> > > > > may have no hope of resurrection- -the belief that has led them to
> bring
> > > > > into this country a new foreign cult and treat torture with contempt
> going
> > > > > willingly and cheerfully to their death. Now let's see if they'll
> rise
> > > > > again
> > > > > and if their god can help them and save them from our hands'" (V.1
> 63).
> > > > > Indeed, the very purpose of being sent into the arena to be devoured
> by
> > > > > beasts or to be burned alive or even to be left on a cross for
> scavengers
> > > > > was to ensure the complete annihilation of the victim.
> > > > >
> > > > > The picture is The Christian Martyrs' Last Prayer (1883) by
> Jean-Léon
> > > > > Gérôme
> > > > > the figures smeared in pitch and being set afire calling to mind the
> > > > > cruelty of Nero, who set Christians alight in his gardens to serve
> as human
> > > > > torches. The wrapping, itself, was known as tunica molesta (Juvenal,
> VIII
> > > > > 235; Martial, X.25.5; Seneca, Epistles, XIV.5).
> > > > >
> > > > > References: Eusebius: The History of the Church (1965) translated by
> G. A.
> > > > > Williamson; The Acts of the Christian Martyrs (1972) by Herbert
> Musurillo;
> > > > > Pagans and Christians (1986) by Robin Lane Fox; Martyrdom and
> Persecution
> > > > > in
> > > > > the Early Church (1967) by W. H. C. Frend; Pliny: Pliny the Younger:
> > > > > Letters
> > > > > and Panegyricus (1969) translated by Betty Radice (Loeb Classical
> Library);
> > > > > The Ante-Nicene Fathers: Translations of the Writings of the Fathers
> Down
> > > > > to
> > > > > A.D. 325 (1885-1896) translated and edited by the Rev. Alexander
> Roberts
> > > > > and
> > > > > James Donaldson; The Meditations of the Emperor Marcus Antoninus
> (1944)
> > > > > translated by A. S. L. Farquharson; A Select Library of Nicene and
> > > > > Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church, Series II (1890-1896)
> edited
> > > > > by
> > > > > by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace; The Oxford Dictionary of the
> Christian
> > > > > Church (1997) edited by E. A. Livingstone.
> > > > > Return to Top of Page
> > > > >
> > > > > -------Original Message----- --
> > > > >
> > > > > From: isaiah14
> > > > > Date: 4/29/2009 4:45:11 PM
> > > > > To: israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com
> > > > > Subject: Re: [israeliteidentity] RE: the facts
> > > > >
> > > > > Jesus Christ, and You can't do that by being a roman catholic.
> > > > >
> > > > > -------Original Message----- --
> > > > >
> > > > > From: JPB
> > > > > Date: 4/29/2009 6:38:29 PM
> > > > > To: israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com
> > > > > Subject: Re: [israeliteidentity] RE: the facts
> > > > >
> > > > > Besides the pagan antichrist Talmudist John Knight, whom do you
> worship,
> > > > > Teri?
> > > > >
> > > > > -------Original Message----- --
> > > > >
> > > > > From: Viva Veridad
> > > > > Date: 4/29/2009 3:35:33 PM
> > > > > To: israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com
> > > > > Subject: Re: [israeliteidentity] RE: the facts
> > > > >
> > > > > Just your opinion, Terry.
> > > > >
> > > > > it has no value.
> > > > >
> > > > > Proof, please.
> > > > >
> > > > > From: isaiah14 <isaiah14@sbcglobal . net>
> > > > > To: israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com
> > > > > Sent: Wednesday, April 29, 2009 5:50:13 PM
> > > > > Subject: Re: [israeliteidentity] RE: the facts
> > > > > You have never proven anything except that you are in the biggest
> religious
> > > > > cult in the world today, and that you don't have eternal life.
> > > > >
> > > > > -------Original Message----- --
> > > > >
> > > > > From: JPB
> > > > > Date: 4/29/2009 4:36:12 PM
> > > > > To: israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com
> > > > > Subject: Re: [israeliteidentity] RE: the facts [1 Attachment]
> > > > >
> > > > > Here is a very nice and instructive power point presentation which I
> think
> > > > > most will enjoy.
> > > > >
> > > > > -------Original Message----- --
> > > > >
> > > > > From: Viva Veridad
> > > > > Date: 4/29/2009 12:50:55 PM
> > > > > To: israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com
> > > > > Subject: Re: [israeliteidentity] RE: the facts
> > > > >
> > > > > That may be your opinion, erroneous as ever, but we're not
> interested in
> > > > > your diseased mind's opinion.
> > > > > If you make a statement, you must back it up with proof.
> > > > > Saying "I have already proven...." means nothing unless you show us
> the
> > > > > proof
> > > > >
> > > > > From: isaiah14 <isaiah14@sbcglobal . net>
> > > > > To: israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com
> > > > > Sent: Wednesday, April 29, 2009 3:37:21 PM
> > > > > Subject: Re: [israeliteidentity] RE: the facts
> > > > > Prove it. I have already proven that the roman catholic church is
> > > > > debauchery
> > > > >
> > > > > -------Original Message----- --
> > > > >
> > > > > From: JPB
> > > > > Date: 4/29/2009 1:41:37 PM
> > > > > To: israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com
> > > > > Subject: Re: [israeliteidentity] RE: the facts
> > > > >
> > > > > We have already proved that Terry is dead wrong on a number of silly
> > > > > beliefs
> > > > > he posted during these exchanges, and now it seems we shall have to
> prove
> > > > > him dead wrong again in respect to his comments re the Talmud and
> Judaism.
> > > > > I'll get working on that one soon.
> > > > >
> > > > > -------Original Message----- --
> > > > >
> > > > > From: Viva Veridad
> > > > > Date: 4/29/2009 7:39:07 AM
> > > > > To: israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com
> > > > > Subject: Re: [israeliteidentity] RE: the facts
> > > > >
> > > > > Yes, indeed you do, Terry.
> > > > >
> > > > > From: isaiah14 <isaiah14@sbcglobal . net>
> > > > > To: israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com
> > > > > Sent: Wednesday, April 29, 2009 8:54:49 AM
> > > > > Subject: Re: [israeliteidentity] RE: the facts
> > > > > You continue to support the Talmud and Judaism.
> > > > >
> > > > > -------Original Message----- --
> > > > >
> > > > > From: JPB
> > > > > Date: 4/28/2009 10:59:27 PM
> > > > > To: israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. . com
> > > > > Subject: Re: [israeliteidentity] RE: the facts
> > > > >
> > > > > Well, at least now our puppet pal isn't trying to claim Mary is
> based upon
> > > > > Ishtar or Isis, etc. That's a step in the right direction. The
> problem
> > > > > with some of these proddies is that they all repeat the same old
> hoary
> > > > > misconceptions about Catholicism that they have been carefully
> spoon-fed
> > > > > since infancy. When they are forced to examine the true facts, their
> belief
> > > > > system crumbles and all that is left is mindless hate. And that
> about sums
> > > > > up CI - AND Talmudic Judaism.
> > > > >
> > > > > -------Original Message----- --
> > > > >
> > > > > From: Viva Veridad
> > > > > Date: 4/26/2009 6:39:04 AM
> > > > > To: israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. . com
> > > > > Subject: Re: [israeliteidentity] RE: the facts
> > > > >
> > > > > Joseph, it's a waste of time trying to reason with Terry.
> > > > >
> > > > > He has no reasoning powers. He merely parrots the same tired old
> phrases,
> > > > > which is all that he understands. He has no comprehension of
> anything
> > > > > sensible.
> > > > >
> > > > > Terry has a childish grasp on that which comforts him. He can't
> agree with
> > > > > the truth that we offer him, because then he would have to face the
> > > > > devastating fact that he has committed spiritual suicide by leaving
> the
> > > > > Catholic Church. He is in a desperate situation and must continually
> close
> > > > > his eyes to the truth, much like the bird with its head in the sands
> He is
> > > > > on shaky ground and it will collapse and swallow him up.
> > > > >
> > > > > From: isaiah14 <isaiah14@sbcglobal . net>
> > > > > To: israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com
> > > > > Sent: Sunday, April 26, 2009 7:53:07 AM
> > > > > Subject: Re: [israeliteidentity] RE: the facts
> > > > > You worship the same goddesses. You have made Mary a goddess.
> > > > >
> > > > > -------Original Message----- --
> > > > >
> > > > > From: JPB
> > > > > Date: 4/26/2009 12:03:00 AM
> > > > > To: israeliteidentity@ yahoogroups. com
> > > > > Subject: Re: [israeliteidentity] RE: the facts
> > > > >
> > > > > Let's get back to Babylon. You keep saying, quite ignorantly, that
> the
> > > > > Catholic Church is pagan - even though it is monotheistic and
> founded by
> > > > > Christ - anyway, all that aside for the moment - you keep INSISTING
> that
> > > > > the
> > > > > Church is the Whore of Babylon and that the Church and the
> Babylonian
> > > > > Religion are one and the same. So, take your time and read through
> the
> > > > > following - select and choose anything you like from it - and
> demonstrate
> > > > > to
> > > > > us where you find similarities between what WE post here and the
> ancient
> > > > > Babylonian religion. Go ahead. Knock yourself out-
> > > > >
> > > > > THE RELIGION OF
> > > > > BABYLONIA AND ASSYRIA
> > > > >
> > > > > BY
> > > > >
> > > > > THEOPHILUS G. PINCHES, LL.D.
> > > > >
> > > > > Lecturer in Assyrian at University College, London,
> > > > > Author of "The Old Testament in the Light of the
> > > > > Records of Assyria and Babylonia"; "The Bronze
> > > > > Ornaments of the Palace Gates of Balewat" etc. etc.
> > > > >
> > > > > PREPARER'S NOTE
> > > > >
> > > > > The original text contains a number of characters that are not
> > > > > available even in 8-bit Windows text, such as H with a breve below
> > > > > it in Hammurabi, S with a breve, S and T with a dot below them, U
> > > > > with macron, and superscript M in Tašmêtum. These have been left
> > > > > in the e-text as the base letter.
> > > > >
> > > > > The 8-bit version of this text includes Windows font characters
> > > > > like S with a caron above it (pronounced /sh/) as in Šamaš, etc.
> > > > > These may be lost in 7-bit versions of the text, or when viewed
> > > > > with different fonts.
> > > > >
> > > > > Greek text has been transliterated within brackets "{}" using an
> > > > > Oxford English Dictionary alphabet table. Diacritical marks have
> > > > > been lost.
> > > > >
> > > > > THE RELIGION OF THE
> > > > > BABYLONIANS AND ASSYRIANS
> > > > >
> > > > > CHAPTER I
> > > > >
> > > > > FOREWORD
> > > > >
> > > > > Position, and Period.
> > > > >
> > > > > The religion of the Babylonians and Assyrians was the polytheistic
> > > > > faith professed by the peoples inhabiting the Tigris and Euphrates
> > > > > valleys from what may be regarded as the dawn of history until the
> > > > > Christian era began, or, at least, until the inhabitants were
> brought
> > > > > under the influence of Christianity. The chronological period
> covered
> > > > > may be roughly estimated at about 5000 years. The belief of the
> > > > > people, at the end of that time, being Babylonian heathenism
> leavened
> > > > > with Judaism, the country was probably ripe for the reception of the
> > > > > new faith. Christianity, however, by no means replaced the earlier
> > > > > polytheism, as is evidenced by the fact, that the worship of Nebo
> and
> > > > > the gods associated with him continued until the fourth century of
> the
> > > > > Christian era.
> > > > >
> > > > > By whom followed.
> > > > >
> > > > > It was the faith of two distinct peoples--the Sumero-Akkadians, and
> > > > > the Assyro-Babylonians. In what country it had its beginnings is
> > > > > unknown--it comes before us, even at the earliest period, as a faith
> > > > > already well-developed, and from that fact, as well as from the
> names
> > > > > of the numerous deities, it is clear that it began with the former
> > > > > race--the Sumero-Akkadians- -who spoke a non-Semitic language
> largely
> > > > > affected by phonetic decay, and in which the grammatical forms had
> in
> > > > > certain cases become confused to such an extent that those who study
> > > > > it ask themselves whether the people who spoke it were able to
> > > > > understand each other without recourse to devices such as the "tones
>
> > > > > to which the Chinese resort. With few exceptions, the names of the
> > > > > gods which the inscriptions reveal to us are all derived from this
> > > > > non-Semitic language, which furnishes us with satisfactory
> etymologies
> > > > > for such names as Merodach, Nergal, Sin, and the divinities
> mentioned
> > > > > in Berosus and Damascius, as well as those of hundreds of deities
> > > > > revealed to us by the tablets and slabs of Babylonia and Assyria.
> > > > >
> > > > > The documents.
> > > > >
> > > > > Outside the inscriptions of Babylonia and Assyria, there is but
> little
> > > > > bearing upon the religion of those countries, the most important
> > > > > fragment being the extracts from Berosus and Damascius referred to
> > > > > above. Among the Babylonian and Assyrian remains, however, we have
> an
> > > > > extensive and valuable mass of material, dating from the fourth or
> > > > > fifth millennium before Christ until the disappearance of the
> > > > > Babylonian system of writing about the beginning of the Christian
> era.
> > > > > The earlier inscriptions are mostly of the nature of records, and
> give
> > > > > information about the deities and the religion of the people in the
> > > > > course of descriptions of the building and rebuilding of temples,
> the
> > > > > making of offerings, the performance of ceremonies, etc.. Purely
> > > > > religious inscriptions are found near the end of the third
> millennium
> > > > > before Christ, and occur in considerable numbers, either in the
> > > > > original Sumerian text, or in translations, or both, until about the
> > > > > third century before Christ. Among the more recent inscriptions-
> -those
> > > > > from the library of the Assyrian king Aššur-bani-âpli and the
> later
> > > > > Babylonian temple archives,--there are many lists of deities, with
> > > > > numerous identifications with each other and with the heavenly
> bodies,
> > > > > and explanations of their natures. It is needless to say that all
> this
> > > > > material is of enormous value for the study of the religion of the
> > > > > Babylonians and Assyrians, and enables us to reconstruct at first
> hand
> > > > > their mythological system, and note the changes which took place in
> > > > > the course of their long national existence. Many interesting and
> > > > > entertaining legends illustrate and supplement the information given
> > > > > by the bilingual lists of gods, the bilingual incantations and hymns
>
> > > > > and the references contained in the historical and other documents..
> A
> > > > > trilingual list of gods enables us also to recognise, in some cases,
> > > > > the dialectic forms of their names.
> > > > >
> > > > > The importance of the subject.
> > > > >
> > > > > Of equal antiquity with the religion of Egypt, that of Babylonia and
> > > > > Assyria possesses some marked differences as to its development.
> > > > > Beginning among the non-Semitic Sumero-Akkadian population, it
> > > > > maintained for a long time its uninterrupted development, affected
> > > > > mainly by influences from within, namely, the homogeneous local
> cults
> > > > > which acted and reacted upon each other. The religious systems of
> > > > > other nations did not greatly affect the development of the early
> > > > > non-Semitic religious system of Babylonia. A time at last came,
> > > > > however, when the influence of the Semitic inhabitants of Babylonia
> > > > > and Assyria was not to be gainsaid, and from that moment, the
> > > > > development of their religion took another turn. In all probably
> this
> > > > > augmentation of Semitic religious influence was due to the increased
> > > > > numbers of the Semitic population, and at the same period the
> Sumero-
> > > > > Akkadian language began to give way to the Semitic idiom which they
> > > > > spoke. When at last the Semitic Babylonian language came to be used
> > > > > for official documents, we find that, although the non-Semitic
> divine
> > > > > names are in the main preserved, a certain number of them have been
> > > > > displaced by the Semitic equivalent names, such as Šamaš for the
> > > > > sun-god, with Kittu and Mêšaru ("justice and righteousness" ) his
> > > > > attendants; Nabú ("the teacher" = Nebo) with his consort Tašmêtu
> ("the
> > > > > hearer"); Addu, Adad, or Dadu, and Rammanu, Ramimu, or Ragimu =
> Hadad
> > > > > or Rimmon ("the thunderer"); Bêl and Bêltu (Beltis = "the lord"
> and
> > > > > "the lady" /par excellence/) , with some others of inferior rank. In
> > > > > place of the chief divinity of each state at the head of each
> separate
> > > > > pantheon, the tendency was to make Merodach, the god of the capital
> > > > > city Babylon, the head of the pantheon, and he seems to have been
> > > > > universally accepted in Babylonia, like AÅ¡Å¡ur in Assyria, about
> 2000
> > > > > B.C. or earlier.
> > > > >
> > > > > The uniting of two pantheons.
> > > > >
> > > > > We thus find two pantheons, the Sumero-Akkadian with its many gods,
> > > > > and the Semitic Babylonian with its comparatively few, united, and
> > > > > forming one apparently homogeneous whole. But the creed had taken a
> > > > > fresh tendency. It was no longer a series of small, and to a certain
> > > > > extent antagonistic, pantheons composed of the chief god, his
> consort,
> > > > > attendants, children, and servants, but a pantheon of considerable
> > > > > extent, containing all the elements of the primitive but smaller
> > > > > pantheons, with a number of great gods who had raised Merodach to be
> > > > > their king.
> > > > >
> > > > > In Assyria.
> > > > >
> > > > > Whilst accepting the religion of Babylonia, Assyria nevertheless
> kept
> > > > > herself distinct from her southern neighbour by a very simple device
>
> > > > > by placing at the head of the pantheon the god AÅ¡Å¡ur, who became
> for
> > > > > her the chief of the gods, and at the same time the emblem of her
> > > > > distinct national aspirations- -for Assyria had no intention
> whatever
> > > > > of casting in her lot with her southern neighbour. Nevertheless,
> > > > > Assyria possessed, along with the language of Babylonia, all the
> > > > > literature of that country--indeed, it is from the libraries of her
> > > > > kings that we obtain the best copies of the Babylonian religious
> > > > > texts, treasured and preserved by her with all the veneration of
> which
> > > > > her religious mind was capable,--and the religious fervour of the
> > > > > Oriental in most cases leaves that of the European, or at least of
> the
> > > > > ordinary Briton, far behind.
> > > > >
> > > > > The later period in Assyria.
> > > > >
> > > > > Assyria went to her downfall at the end of the seventh century
> before
> > > > > Christ worshipping her national god AÅ¡Å¡ur, whose cult did not
> cease
> > > > > with the destruction of her national independence. In fact, the city
> > > > > of AÅ¡Å¡ur, the centre of that worship, continued to exist for a
> > > > > considerable period; but for the history of the religion of Assyria,
> > > > > as preserved there, we wait for the result of the excavations being
> > > > > carried on by the Germans, should they be fortunate enough to obtain
> > > > > texts belonging to the period following the fall of Nineveh.
> > > > >
> > > > > In Babylonia.
> > > > >
> > > > > Babylonia, on the other hand, continued the even tenor of her way.
> > > > > More successful at the end of her independent political career than
> > > > > her northern rival had been, she retained her faith, and remained
> the
> > > > > unswerving worshipper of Merodach, the great god of Babylon, to whom
> > > > > her priests attributed yet greater powers, and with whom all the
> other
> > > > > gods were to all appearance identified. This tendency to monotheism,
> > > > > however, never reached the culminating point--never became
> absolute--
> > > > > except, naturally, in the minds of those who, dissociating
> themselves,
> > > > > for philosophical reasons, from the superstitious teaching of the
> > > > > priests of Babylonia, decided for themselves that there was but one
> > > > > God, and worshipped Him. That orthodox Jews at that period may have
> > > > > found, in consequence of this monotheistic tendency, converts, is
> not
> > > > > by any means improbable-- indeed, the names met with during the
> later
> > > > > period imply that converts to Judaism were made.
> > > > >
> > > > > The picture presented by the study.
> > > > >
> > > > > Thus we see, from the various inscriptions, both Babylonian and
> > > > > Assyrian--the former of an extremely early period--the growth and
> > > > > development, with at least one branching off, of one of the most
> > > > > important religious systems of the ancient world. It is not so
> > > > > important for modern religion as the development of the beliefs of
> the
> > > > > Hebrews, but as the creed of the people from which the Hebrew nation
> > > > > sprang, and from which, therefore, it had its beginnings, both
> > > > > corporeal and spiritual, it is such as no student of modern
> religious
> > > > > systems can afford to neglect. Its legends, and therefore its
> > > > > teachings, as will be seen in these pages, ultimately permeated the
> > > > > Semitic West, and may in some cases even had penetrated Europe, not
> > > > > only through heathen Greece, but also through the early Christians,
> > > > > who, being so many centuries nearer the time of the
> > > > > Assyro-Babylonians, and also nearer the territory which they
> anciently
> > > > > occupied, than we are, were far better acquainted than the people of
> > > > > the present day with the legends and ideas which they possessed.
> > > > >
> > > > > CHAPTER II
> > > > >
> > > > > THE RELIGION OF THE BABYLONIANS AND ASSYRIANS
> > > > >
> > > > > The Sumero-Akkadians and the Semites.
> > > > >
> > > > > For the history of the development of the religion of the
> Babylonians
> > > > > and Assyrians much naturally depends upon the composition of the
> > > > > population of early Babylonia. There is hardly any doubt that the
> > > > > Sumero-Akkadians were non-Semites of a fairly pure race, but the
> > > > > country of their origin is still unknown, though a certain
> > > > > relationship with the Mongolian and Turkish nationalities, probably
> > > > > reaching back many centuries--perhaps thousands of years--before the
> > > > > earliest accepted date, may be regarded as equally likely. Equally
> > > > > uncertain is the date of the entry of the Semites, whose language
> > > > > ultimately displaced the non-Semitic Sumero-Akkadian idioms, and
> > > > > whose kings finally ruled over the land. During the third millennium
> > > > > before Christ Semites, bearing Semitic names, and called Amorites,
> > > > > appear, and probably formed the last considerable stratum of tribes
> of
> > > > > that race which entered the land. The name Martu, the
> Sumero-Akkadian
> > > > > equivalent of Amurru, "Amorite", is of frequent occurrence also
> before
> > > > > this period. The eastern Mediterranean coast district, including
> > > > > Palestine and the neighbouring tracts, was known by the Babylonians
> > > > > and Assyrians as the land of the Amorites, a term which stood for
> the
> > > > > West in general even when these regions no longer bore that name.
> The
> > > > > Babylonians maintained their claim to sovereignty over that part as
> > > > > long as they possessed the power to do so, and naturally exercised
> > > > > considerable influence there. The existence in Palestine, Syria, and
> > > > > the neighbouring states, of creeds containing the names of many
> > > > > Babylonian divinities is therefore not to be wondered at, and the
> > > > > presence of West Semitic divinities in the religion of the
> Babylonians
> > > > > need not cause us any surprise.
> > > > >
> > > > > The Babylonian script and its evidence.
> > > > >
> > > > > In consequence of the determinative prefix for a god or a goddess
> > > > > being, in the oldest form, a picture of an eight-rayed star, it has
> > > > > been assumed that Assyro-Babylonian mythology is, either wholly or
> > > > > partly, astral in origin. This, however, is by no means certain, the
> > > > > character for "star" in the inscriptions being a combination of
> three
> > > > > such pictures, and not a single sign. The probability therefore is,
> > > > > that the use of the single star to indicate the name of a divinity
> > > > > arises merely from the fact that the character in question stands
> for
> > > > > /ana/, "heaven." Deities were evidently thus distinguished by the
> > > > > Babylonians because they regarded them as inhabitants of the realms
> > > > > above--indeed, the heavens being the place where the stars are seen,
> a
> > > > > picture of a star was the only way of indicating heavenly things.
> That
> > > > > the gods of the Babylonians were in many cases identified with the
> > > > > stars and planets is certain, but these identifications seem to have
> > > > > taken place at a comparatively late date. An exception has naturally
> > > > > to be made in the case of the sun and moon, but the god Merodach, if
> > > > > he be, as seems certain, a deified Babylonian king, must have been
> > > > > identified with the stars which bear his name after his worshippers
> > > > > began to pay him divine honours as the supreme deity, and naturally
> > > > > what is true for him may also be so for the other gods whom they
> > > > > worshipped. The identification of some of the deities with stars or
> > > > > planets is, moreover, impossible, and if Ã� a, the god of the deep,
> and
> > > > > Anu, the god of the heavens, have their representatives among the
> > > > > heavenly bodies, this is probably the result of later development.
> [*]
> > > > >
> > > > > [*] If there be any historical foundation for the statement that
> > > > > Merodach arranged the sun, the moon, the planets, and the stars,
> > > > > assigning to them their proper places and duties--a tradition
> > > > > which would make him the founder of the science of astronomy
> > > > > during his life upon earth--this, too, would tend to the
> > > > > probability that the origin of the gods of the Babylonians was not
> > > > > astral, as has been suggested, but that their identification with
> > > > > the heavenly bodies was introduced during the period of his reign.
> > > > >
> > > > > Ancestor and hero-worship. The deification of kings.
> > > > >
> > > > > Though there is no proof that ancestor-worship in general prevailed
> at
> > > > > any time in Babylonia, it would seem that the worship of heroes and
> > > > > prominent men was common, at least in early times. The tenth chapter
> > > > > of Genesis tells us of the story of Nimrod, who cannot be any other
> > > > > than the Merodach of the Assyro-Babylonian inscriptions; and other
> > > > > examples, occurring in semi-mythological times, are /En-we-dur-an-
> ki/,
> > > > > the Greek Edoreschos, and /Gilgameš/, the Greek Gilgamos, though
> > > > > Aelian's story of the latter does not fit in with the account as
> given
> > > > > by the inscriptions. In later times, the divine prefix is found
> before
> > > > > the names of many a Babylonian ruler--Sargon of Agadé,[*] Dungi of
> Ur
> > > > > (about 2500 B.C.), Rim-Sin or Eri-Aku (Arioch of Ellasar, about 2100
> > > > > B.C.), and others. It was doubtless a kind of flattery to deify and
> > > > > pay these rulers divine honours during their lifetime, and on
> account
> > > > > of this, it is very probable that their godhood was utterly
> forgotten,
> > > > > in the case of those who were strictly historical, after their death
>
> > > > > The deification of the kings of Babylonia and Assyria is probably
> due
> > > > > to the fact, that they were regarded as the representatives of God
> > > > > upon earth, and being his chief priests as well as his offspring
> (the
> > > > > personal names show that it was a common thing to regard children as
> > > > > the gifts of the gods whom their father worshipped), the divine
> > > > > fatherhood thus attributed to them naturally could, in the case of
> > > > > those of royal rank, give them a real claim to divine birth and
> > > > > honours. An exception is the deification of the Babylonian Noah,
> > > > > Ut-napištim, who, as the legend of the Flood relates, was raised
> and
> > > > > made one of the gods by Aa or Ea, for his faithfulness after the
> great
> > > > > catastrophe, when he and his wife were translated to the "remote
> place
> > > > > at the mouth of the rivers." The hero Gilgameš, on the other hand,
> was
> > > > > half divine by birth, though it is not exactly known through whom
> his
> > > > > divinity came.
> > > > >
> > > > > [*] According to Nabonidus's date 3800 B.C., though many
> > > > > Assyriologists regard this as being a millennium too early.
> > > > >
> > > > > The earliest form of the Babylonian religion.
> > > > >
> > > > > The state of development to which the religious system of the
> > > > > Babylonians had attained at the earliest period to which the
> > > > > inscriptions refer naturally precludes the possibility of a
> > > > > trustworthy history of its origin and early growth. There is no
> doubt,
> > > > > however, that it may be regarded as having reached the stage at
> which
> > > > > we find it in consequence of there being a number of states in
> ancient
> > > > > Babylonia (which was at that time like the Heptarchy in England)
> each
> > > > > possessing its own divinity--who, in its district, was regarded as
> > > > > supreme--with a number of lesser gods forming his court. It was the
> > > > > adding together of all these small pantheons which ultimately made
> > > > > that of Babylonia as a whole so exceedingly extensive. Thus the
> chief
> > > > > divinity of Babylon, as has already been stated, as Merodach; at
> > > > > Sippar and Larsa the sun-god Šamaš was worshipped; at Ur the
> moon-god
> > > > > Sin or Nannar; at Erech and Dêr the god of the heavens, Anu; at
> Muru,
> > > > > Ennigi, and Kakru, the god of the atmosphere, Hadad or Rimmon; at
> > > > > Ã� ridu, the god of the deep, Aa or Ã� a; at Niffur[*] the god Bel; at
> > > > > Cuthah the god of war, Nergal; at Dailem the god Uraš; at Kiš the
> god
> > > > > of battle, Zagaga; Lugal-Amarda, the king of Marad, as the city so
> > > > > called; at Opis Zakar, one of the gods of dreams; at Agadé, Nineveh
>
> > > > > and Arbela, IÅ¡tar, goddess of love and of war; Nina at the city
> Nina
> > > > > in Babylonia, etc. When the chief deities were masculine, they were
> > > > > naturally all identified with each other, just as the Greeks called
> > > > > the Babylonian Merodach by the name of Zeus; and as Zer-panîtum,
> the
> > > > > consort of Merodach, was identified with Juno, so the consorts,
> divine
> > > > > attendants, and children of each chief divinity, as far as they
> > > > > possessed them, could also be regarded as the same, though possibly
> > > > > distinct in their different attributes.
> > > > >
> > > > > [*] Noufar at present, according to the latest explorers. Layard
> > > > > (1856) has Niffer, Loftus (1857) Niffar. The native spelling is
> > > > > Noufer, due to the French system of phonetics.
> > > > >
> > > > > How the religion of the Babylonians developed.
> > > > >
> > > > > The fact that the rise of Merodach to the position of king of the
> gods
> > > > > was due to the attainment, by the city of Babylon, of the position
> of
> > > > > capital of all Babylonia, leads one to suspect that the kingly rank
> of
> > > > > his father Ã� a, at an earlier period, was due to a somewhat similar
> > > > > cause, and if so, the still earlier kingship of Anu, the god of the
> > > > > heavens, may be in like manner explained. This leads to the question
> > > > > whether the first state to attain to supremacy was Dêr, Anu's seat,
> > > > > and whether Dêr was succeeded by Ã� ridu, of which city Ã� a was the
> > > > > patron--concerning the importance of Babylon, Merodach's city, later
> > > > > on, there is no doubt whatever. The rise of Anu and Ã� a to divine
> > > > > overlordship, however, may not have been due to the political
> > > > > supremacy of the cities where they were worshipped-- it may have
> come
> > > > > about simply on account of renown gained through religious
> enthusiasm
> > > > > due to wonders said to have been performed where they were
> worshipped,
> > > > > or to the reported discovery of new records concerning their temples
>
> > > > > or to the influence of some renowned high-priest, like En-we-dur-an-
> ki
> > > > > of Sippar, whose devotion undoubtedly brought great renown to the
> city
> > > > > of his dominion.
> > > > >
> > > > > Was Animism its original form?
> > > > >
> > > > > But the question naturally arises, can we go back beyond the
> > > > > indications of the inscriptions? The Babylonians attributed life, in
> > > > > certain not very numerous cases, to such things as trees and plants,
> > > > > and naturally to the winds, and the heavenly bodies. Whether they
> > > > > regarded stones, rocks, mountains, storms, and rain in the same way,
> > > > > however, is doubtful, but it may be taken for granted, that the sea,
> > > > > with all its rivers and streams, was regarded as animated with the
> > > > > spirit of Ã� a and his children, whilst the great cities and
> > > > > temple-towers were pervaded with the spirit of the god whose abode
> > > > > they were. Innumerable good and evil spirits were believed in, such
> as
> > > > > the spirit of the mountain, the sea, the plain, and the grave. These
> > > > > spirits were of various kinds, and bore names which do not always
> > > > > reveal their real character--such as the /edimmu/, /utukku/,
> /šêdu/,
> > > > > /ašakku/ (spirit of fevers), /namtaru/ (spirit of fate), /âlû/
> > > > > (regarded as the spirit of the south wind), /gallu/, /rabisu/,
> > > > > /labartu/, /labasu/, /ahhazu/ (the seizer), /lilu/ and /lilithu/
> (male
> > > > > and female spirits of the mist), with their attendants.
> > > > >
> > > > > All this points to animism as the pervading idea of the worship of
> the
> > > > > peoples of the Babylonian states in the prehistoric period--the
> > > > > attribution of life to every appearance of nature... The question is,
> > > > > however, Is the evidence of the inscriptions sufficient to make this
> > > > > absolutely certain? It is hard to believe that such intelligent
> > > > > people, as the primitive Babylonians naturally were, believed that
> > > > > such things as stones, rocks, mountains, storms, and rain were, in
> > > > > themselves, and apart from the divinity which they regarded as
> > > > > presiding over them, living things. A stone might be a /bît îli/
> or
> > > > > bethel--a "house of god," and almost invested with the status of a
> > > > > living thing, but that does not prove that the Babylonians thought
> of
> > > > > every stone as being endowed with life, even in prehistoric times.
> > > > > Whilst, therefore, there are traces of a belief similar to that
> which
> > > > > an animistic creed might be regarded as possessing, it must be
> > > > > admitted that these seemingly animistic doctrines may have
> originated
> > > > > in another way, and be due to later developments. The power of the
> > > > > gods to create living things naturally makes possible the belief
> that
> > > > > they had also power to endow with a soul, and therefore with life
> and
> > > > > intelligence, any seemingly inanimate object. Such was probably the
> > > > > nature of Babylonian animism, if it may be so called. The legend of
> > > > > Tiawthu (Tiawath) may with great probability be regarded as the
> > > > > remains of a primitive animism which was the creed of the original
> and
> > > > > comparatively uncivilised Babylonians, who saw in the sea the
> producer
> > > > > and creator of all the monstrous shapes which are found therein; but
> > > > > any development of this idea in other directions was probably cut
> > > > > short by the priests, who must have realised, under the influence of
> > > > > the doctrine of the divine rise to perfection, that animism in
> general
> > > > > was altogether incompatible with the creed which they professed.
> > > > >
> > > > > Image-worship and Sacred Stones.
> > > > >
> > > > > Whether image-worship was original among the Babylonians and
> Assyrians
> > > > > is uncertain, and improbable; the tendency among the people in early
> > > > > times being to venerate sacred stones and other inanimate objects.
> As
> > > > > has been already pointed out, the {diopetres} of the Greeks was
> > > > > probably a meteorite, and stones marking the position of the Semitic
> > > > > bethels were probably, in their origin, the same. The boulders which
> > > > > were sometimes used for boundary-stones may have been the
> > > > > representations of these meteorites in later times, and it is
> > > > > noteworthy that the Sumerian group for "iron," /an-bar/, implies
> that
> > > > > the early Babylonians only knew of that metal from meteoric
> ironstone.
> > > > > The name of the god Nirig or Ã� nu-rêštu (Ninip) is generally
> written
> > > > > with the same group, implying some kind of connection between the
> two
> > > > > --the god and the iron. In a well-known hymn to that deity certain
> > > > > stones are mentioned, one of them being described as the "poison-
> > > > > tooth"[*] coming forth on the mountain, recalling the sacred rocks
> at
> > > > > Jerusalem and Mecca. Boundary-stones in Babylonia were not sacred
> > > > > objects except in so far as they were sculptured with the signs of
> the
> > > > > gods.[†] With regard to the Babylonian bethels, very little can be
> > > > > said, their true nature being uncertain, and their number, to all
> > > > > appearance, small. Gifts were made to them, and from this fact it
> > > > > would seem that they were temples--true "houses of god," in fact--
> > > > > probably containing an image of the deity, rather than a stone
> similar
> > > > > to those referred to in the Old Testament.
> > > > >
> > > > > [*] So called, probably, not because it sent forth poison, but on
> > > > > account of its likeness to a serpent's fang.
> > > > >
> > > > > [†] Notwithstanding medical opinion, their phallic origin is
> doubtful.
> > > > > One is sculptured in the form of an Eastern castellated fortress.
> > > > >
> > > > > Idols.
> > > > >
> > > > > With the Babylonians, the gods were represented by means of stone
> > > > > images at a very early date, and it is possible that wood was also
> > > > > used. The tendency of the human mind being to attribute to the Deity
> a
> > > > > human form, the Babylonians were no exception to the rule. Human
> > > > > thoughts and feelings would naturally accompany the human form with
> > > > > which the minds of men endowed them. Whether the gross human
> passions
> > > > > attributed to the gods of Babylonia in Herodotus be of early date or
> > > > > not is uncertain--a late period, when the religion began to
> > > > > degenerate, would seem to be the more probable.
> > > > >
> > > > > The adoration of sacred objects.
> > > > >
> > > > > It is probable that objects belonging to or dedicated to deities
> were
> > > > > not originally worshipped-- they were held as divine in consequence
> of
> > > > > their being possessed or used by a deity, like the bow of Merodach,
> > > > > placed in the heavens as a constellation, etc. The cities where the
> > > > > gods dwelt on earth, their temples, their couches, the chariot of
> the
> > > > > sun in his temple-cities, and everything existing in connection with
> > > > > their worship, were in all probability regarded as divine simply in
> so
> > > > > far as they belonged to a god. Sacrifices offered to them, and
> > > > > invocations made to them, were in all likelihood regarded as having
> > > > > been made to the deity himself, the possessions of the divinity
> being,
> > > > > in the minds of the Babylonians, pervaded with his spirit. In the
> case
> > > > > of rivers, these were divine as being the children and offspring of
> > > > > Enki (Aa or Ã� a), the god of the ocean.
> > > > >
> > > > > Holy places.
> > > > >
> > > > > In a country which was originally divided into many small states,
> each
> > > > > having its own deities, and, to a certain extent, its own religious
> > > > > system, holy places were naturally numerous. As the spot where they
> > > > > placed Paradise, Babylonia was itself a holy place, but in all
> > > > > probability this idea is late, and only came into existence after
> the
> > > > > legends of the creation and the rise of Merodach to the kingship of
> > > > > heaven had become elaborated into one homogeneous whole.
> > > > >
> > > > > An interesting list.
> > > > >
> > > > > One of the most interesting documents referring to the holy places
> of
> > > > > Babylonia is a tiny tablet found at Nineveh, and preserved in the
> > > > > British Museum. This text begins with the word Tiawthu "the sea,"
> and
> > > > > goes on to enumerate, in turn, Tilmun (identified with the island of
> > > > > Bahrein in the Persian Gulf); Engurra (the Abyss, the abode of Enki
> or
> > > > > Ã� a), with numerous temples and shrines, including "the holy house,"
> > > > > "the temple of the seer of heaven and earth," "the abode of Zer-
> > > > > panîtum," consort of Merodach, "the throne of the holy place," "the
> > > > > temple of the region of Hades," "the supreme temple of life," "the
> > > > > temple of the ear of the corn-deity," with many others, the whole
> list
> > > > > containing what may be regarded as the chief sanctuaries of the land
>
> > > > > to the number of thirty-one. Numerous other similar and more
> extensive
> > > > > lists, enumerating every shrine and temple in the country, also
> exist,
> > > > > though in a very imperfect state, and in addition to these, many
> holy
> > > > > places are referred to in the bilingual, historical, and other
> > > > > inscriptions. All the great cities of Babylonia, moreover, were
> sacred
> > > > > places, the chief in renown and importance in later days being the
> > > > > great city of Babylon, where Ã� -sagila, "the temple of the high head
> "
> > > > > in which was apparently the shrine called "the temple of the
> > > > > foundation of heaven and earth," held the first place. This building
> > > > > is called by Nebuchadnezzar "the temple-tower of Babylon," and may
> > > > > better be regarded as the site of the Biblical "Tower of Babel" than
> > > > > the traditional foundation, Ã� -zida, "the everlasting temple," in
> > > > > Borsippa (the Birs Nimroud)--notwithst anding that Borsippa was
> called
> > > > > the "second Babylon," and its temple-tower "the supreme house of
> > > > > life."
> > > > >
> > > > > The Tower of Babel...
> > > > >
> > > > > Though quite close to Babylon, there is no doubt that Borsippa was a
> > > > > most important religious centre, and this leads to the possibility,
> > > > > that its great temple may have disputed with "the house of the high
> > > > > head," Ã� -sagila in Babylon, the honour of being the site of the
> > > > > confusion of tongues and the dispersion of mankind. There is no
> doubt,
> > > > > however, that Ã� -sagila has the prior claim, it being the temple of
> the
> > > > > supreme god of the later Babylonian pantheon, the counterpart of the
> > > > > God of the Hebrews who commanded the changing of the speech of the
> > > > > people assembled there... Supposing the confusion of tongues to have
> > > > > been a Babylonian legend as well as a Hebrew one (as is possible) it
> > > > > would be by command of Merodach rather than that of Nebo that such a
> > > > > thing would have taken place. Ã� -sagila, which is now the ruin known
> as
> > > > > the mount of Amran ibn Ali, is the celebrated temple of Belus which
> > > > > Alexander and Philip attempted to restore.
> > > > >
> > > > > In addition to the legend of the confusion of tongues, it is
> probable
> > > > > that there were many similar traditions attached to the great
> temples
> > > > > of Babylonia, and as time goes on, and the excavations bring more
> > > > > material, a large number of them will probably be recovered. Already
> > > > > we have an interesting and poetical record of the entry of Bel and
> > > > > Beltis into the great temple at Niffer, probably copied from some
> > > > > ancient source, and Gudea, a king of Lagaš (Telloh), who reigned
> about
> > > > > 2700 B.C., gives an account of the dream which he saw, in which he
> was
> > > > > instructed by the gods to build or rebuild the temple of Nin-Girsu
> in
> > > > > his capital city.
> > > > >
> > > > > Ã� -sagila according to Herodotus.
> > > > >
> > > > > As the chief fane in the land after Babylon became the capital, and
> > > > > the type of many similar erections, Ã� -sagila, the temple of Belus,
> > > > > merits just a short notice. According to Herodotus, it was a massive
> > > > > tower within an enclosure measuring 400 yards each way, and provided
> > > > > with gates of brass, or rather bronze. The tower within consisted of
> a
> > > > > kind of step-pyramid, the stages being seven in number (omitting the
> > > > > lowest, which was the platform forming the foundation of the
> > > > > structure). A winding ascent gave access to the top, where was a
> > > > > chapel or shrine, containing no statue, but regarded by the
> > > > > Babylonians as the abode of the god. Lower down was another shrine,
> in
> > > > > which was placed a great statue of Zeus (Bel-Merodach) sitting, with
> a
> > > > > large table before it. Both statue and table are said to have been
> of
> > > > > gold, as were also the throne and the steps. Outside the sanctuary
> (on
> > > > > the ramp, apparently) were two altars, one small and made of gold,
> > > > > whereon only unweaned lambs were sacrificed, and the other larger,
> for
> > > > > full-grown victims.
> > > > >
> > > > > A Babylonian description.
> > > > >
> > > > > In 1876 the well-known Assyriologist, Mr. George Smith, was
> fortunate
> > > > > enough to discover a Babylonian description of this temple, of which
> > > > > he published a /précis/. According to this document, there were two
> > > > > courts of considerable extent, the smaller within the
> larger--neither
> > > > > of them was square, but oblong. Six gates admitted to the
> temple-area
> > > > > surrounding the platform upon which the tower was built. The
> platform
> > > > > is stated to have been square and walled, with four gates facing the
> > > > > cardinal points. Within this wall was a building connected with the
> > > > > great /zikkurat/ or tower--the principal edifice--round which were
> > > > > chapels or temples to the principal gods, on all four sides, and
> > > > > facing the cardinal points--that to Nebo and Tašmît being on the
> east,
> > > > > to Aa or Ã� a and Nusku on the north, Anu and Bel on the south, and
> the
> > > > > series of buildings on the west, consisting of a double house--a
> small
> > > > > court between two wings, was evidently the shrine of Merodach
> (Belos).
> > > > > In these western chambers stood the couch of the god, and the golden
> > > > > throne mentioned by Herodotus, besides other furniture of great
> value.
> > > > > The couch was given as being 9 cubits long by 4 broad, about as many
> > > > > feet in each case, or rather more.
> > > > >
> > > > > The centre of these buildings was the great /zikkurat/, or temple-
> > > > > tower, square on its plan, and with the sides facing the cardinal
> > > > > points. The lowest stage was 15 /gar/ square by 5 1/2 high (Smith,
> 300
> > > > > feet by 110), and the wall, in accordance with the usual Babylonian
> > > > > custom, seems to have been ornamented with recessed groovings. The
> > > > > second stage was 13 /gar/ square by 3 in height (Smith, 260 by 60
> > > > > feet). He conjectured, from the expression used, that it had sloping
> > > > > sides. Stages three to five were each one /gar/ (Smith, 20 feet)
> high,
> > > > > and respectively 10 /gar/ (Smith, 200 feet), 8 1/2 /gar/ (170 feet),
> > > > > and 7 /gar/ (140 feet) square. The dimensions of the sixth stage are
> > > > > omitted, probably by accident, but Smith conjectures that they were
> in
> > > > > proportion to those which precede. His description omits also the
> > > > > dimensions of the seventh stage, but he gives those of the sanctuary
> > > > > of Belus, which was built upon it. This was 4 /gar/ long, 3 1/2
> /gar/
> > > > > broad, and 2 1/2 /gar/ high (Smith, 80 x 70 x 50 feet). He points
> out,
> > > > > that the total height was, therefore, 15 /gar/, the same as the
> > > > > dimensions of the base, i.e., the lowest platform, which would make
> > > > > the total height of this world-renowned building rather more than
> 300
> > > > > feet above the plains.
> > > > >
> > > > > Other temple-towers.
> > > > >
> > > > > Towers of a similar nature were to be found in all the great cities
> of
> > > > > Babylonia, and it is probable that in most cases slight differences
> of
> > > > > form were to be found. That at Niffer, for instance, seems to have
> had
> > > > > a causeway on each side, making four approaches in the form of a
> > > > > cross. But it was not every city which had a tower of seven stages
> in
> > > > > addition to the platform on which it was erected, and some of the
> > > > > smaller ones at least seem to have had sloping or rounded sides to
> the
> > > > > basement-portion, as is indicated by an Assyrian bas-relief.
> Naturally
> > > > > small temples, with hardly more than the rooms on the ground floor,
> > > > > were to be found, but these temple-towers were a speciality of the
> > > > > country.
> > > > >
> > > > > Their origin.
> > > > >
> > > > > There is some probability that, as indicated in the tenth chapter of
> > > > > Genesis, the desire in building these towers was to get nearer the
> > > > > Deity, or to the divine inhabitants of the heavens in general--it
> > > > > would be easier there to gain attention than on the surface of the
> > > > > earth. Then there was the belief, that the god to whom the place was
> > > > > dedicated would come down to such a sanctuary, which thus became, as
> > > > > it were, the stepping-stone between heaven and earth. Sacrifices
> were
> > > > > also offered at these temple-towers (whether on the highest point or
> > > > > not is not quite certain), in imitation of the Chaldæan Noah,
> > > > > Ut-napištim, who, on coming out of the ark, made an offering /ina
> > > > > zikkurat šadê/, "on the peak of the mountain," in which passage,
> it is
> > > > > to be noted, the word /zikkurat/ occurs with what is probably a more
> > > > > original meaning.
> > > > >
> > > > > CHAPTER III
> > > > >
> > > > > THE BABYLONIAN STORY OF THE CREATION
> > > > >
> > > > > This is the final development of the Babylonian creed. It has
> already
> > > > > been pointed out that the religion of the Babylonians in all
> > > > > probability had two stages before arriving at that in which the god
> > > > > Merodach occupied the position of chief of the pantheon, the two
> > > > > preceding heads having been, seemingly, Anu, the god of the heavens,
> > > > > and Ã� a or Aa, also called Enki, the god of the abyss and of deep
> > > > > wisdom. In order to show this, and at the same time to give an idea
> of
> > > > > their theory of the beginning of things, a short paraphrase of the
> > > > > contents of the seven tablets will be found in the following pages.
> > > > >
> > > > > An Embodiment of doctrine.
> > > > >
> > > > > As far as our knowledge goes, the doctrines incorporated in this
> > > > > legend would seem to show the final official development of the
> > > > > beliefs held by the Babylonians, due, in all probability, to the
> > > > > priests of Babylon after that city became the capital of the
> federated
> > > > > states. Modifications of their creed probably took place, but
> nothing
> > > > > seriously affecting it, until after the abandonment of Babylon in
> the
> > > > > time of Seleucus Nicator, 300 B.C. or thereabouts, when the deity at
> > > > > the head of the pantheon seems not to have been Merodach, but
> Anu-Bêl.
> > > > > This legend is therefore the most important document bearing upon
> the
> > > > > beliefs of the Babylonians from the end of the third millennium B.C.
> > > > > until that time, and the philosophical ideas which it contains seem
> to
> > > > > have been held, in a more or less modified form, among the remnants
> > > > > who still retained the old Babylonian faith, until the sixth century
> > > > > of the present era, as the record by Damascius implies. Properly
> > > > > speaking, it is not a record of the creation, but the story of the
> > > > > fight between Bel and the Dragon, to which the account of the
> creation
> > > > > is prefixed by way of introduction.
> > > > >
> > > > > Water the first creator.
> > > > >
> > > > > The legend begins by stating that, when the heavens were unnamed and
> > > > > the earth bore no name, the primæval ocean was the producer of all
> > > > > things, and Mummu Tiawath (the sea) she who brought forth everything
> > > > > existing. Their waters (that is, of the primæval ocean and of the
> sea)
> > > > > were all united in one, and neither plains nor marshes were to be
> > > > > seen; the gods likewise did not exist, even in name, and the fates
> > > > > were undetermined- -nothing had been decided as to the future of
> > > > > things. Then arose the great gods. Lahmu and Lahame came first,
> > > > > followed, after a long period, by Anšar and Kišar, generally
> > > > > identified with the "host of heaven" and the "host of earth," these
> > > > > being the meanings of the component parts of their names. After a
> > > > > further long period of days, there came forth their son Anu, the god
> > > > > of the heavens.
> > > > >
> > > > > The gods.
> > > > >
> > > > > Here the narrative is defective, and is continued by Damascius in
> his
> > > > > /Doubts and Solutions of the First Principles/, in which he states
> > > > > that, after Anos (Anu), come Illinos (Ellila or Bel, "the lord" /par
> > > > > excellence/) and Aos (Aa, Ae, or Ã� a), the god of Eridu. Of Aos and
> > > > > Dauké (the Babylonian Aa and Damkina) is born, he says, a son
> called
> > > > > Belos (Bel-Merodach) , who, they (apparently the Babylonians) say,
> is
> > > > > the fabricator of the world--the creator.
> > > > >
> > > > > The designs against them.
> > > > >
> > > > > At this point Damascius ends his extract, and the Babylonian tablet
> > > > > also becomes extremely defective. The next deity to come into
> > > > > existence, however, would seem to have been Nudimmud, who was
> > > > > apparently the deity Aa or Ã� a (the god of the sea and of rivers) as
> > > > > the god of creation. Among the children of Tauthé (Tiawath)
> enumerated
> > > > > by Damascius is one named Moumis, who was evidently referred to in
> the
> > > > > document at that philosopher' s disposal. If this be correct, his
> name,
> > > > > under the form of Mummu, probably existed in one of the defective
> > > > > lines of the first portion of this legend--in any case, his name
> > > > > occurs later on, with those of Tiawath and Apsu (the Deep), his
> > > > > parents, and the three seem to be compared, to their disadvantage,
> > > > > with the progeny of Lahmu and Lahame, the gods on high. As the ways
> of
> > > > > these last were not those of Tiawath's brood, and Apsu complained
> that
> > > > > he had no peace by day nor rest by night on account of their
> > > > > proceedings, the three representatives of the chaotic deep, Tiawath,
> > > > > Apsu, and Mummu, discussed how they might get rid the beings who
> > > > > wished to rise to higher things. Mummu was apparently the prime
> mover
> > > > > in the plot, and the face of Apsu grew bright at the thought of the
> > > > > evil plan which they had devised against "the gods their sons." The
> > > > > inscription being very mutilated here, its full drift cannot be
> > > > > gathered, but from the complete portions which come later it would
> > > > > seem that Mummu's plan was not a remarkably cunning one, being
> simply
> > > > > to make war upon and destroy the gods of heaven.
> > > > >
> > > > > Tiawath's preparations.
> > > > >
> > > > > The preparations made for this were elaborate. Restlessly, day and
> > > > > night, the powers of evil raged and toiled, and assembled for the
> > > > > fight. 'Mother Hubur," as Tiawath is named in this passage, called
> her
> > > > > creative powers into action, and gave her followers irresistible
> > > > > weapons. She brought into being also various monsters--giant
> serpents,
> > > > > sharp of tooth, bearing stings, and with poison filling their bodies
> > > > > like blood; terrible dragons endowed with brilliance, and of
> enormous
> > > > > stature, reared on high, raging dogs, scorpion-men, fish-men, and
> many
> > > > > other terrible beings, were created and equipped, the whole being
> > > > > placed under the command of a deity named Kingu, whom she calls her
> > > > > "only husband," and to whom she delivers the tablets of fate, which
> > > > > conferred upon him the godhead of Anu (the heavens), and enabled
> their
> > > > > possessor to determine the gates among the gods her sons.
> > > > >
> > > > > Kingu replaces Absu.
> > > > >
> > > > > The change in the narrative which comes in here suggests that this
> is
> > > > > the point at which two legends current in Babylonia were united.
> > > > > Henceforward we hear nothing more of Apsu, the begetter of all
> things,
> > > > > Tiawath's spouse, nor of Mummu, their son. In all probability there
> is
> > > > > good reason for this, and inscriptions will doubtless ultimately be
> > > > > found which will explain it, but until then it is only natural to
> > > > > suppose that two different legends have been pieced together to form
> a
> > > > > harmonious whole.
> > > > >
> > > > > Tiawath's aim.
> > > > >
> > > > > As will be gathered from the above, the story centres in the wish of
> > > > > the goddess of the powers of evil and her kindred to retain
> creation--
> > > > > the forming of all living things--in her own hands. As Tiawath means
> > > > > "the sea," and Apsu "the deep," it is probable that this is a kind
> of
> > > > > allegory personifying the productive power seen in the teeming life
> of
> > > > > the ocean, and typifying the strange and wonderful forms found
> > > > > therein, which were symbolical, to the Babylonian mind, of chaos and
> > > > > confusion, as well as of evil.
> > > > >
> > > > > The gods hear of the conspiracy.
> > > > >
> > > > > Aa, or Ã� a, having learned of the plot of Tiawath and her followers
> > > > > against the gods of heaven, naturally became filled with anger, and
> > > > > went and told the whole to Anšar, his father, who in his turn gave
> way
> > > > > to his wrath, and uttered cries of the deepest grief... After
> > > > > considering what they would do, Anšar applied to his son Anu, "the
> > > > > mighty and brave," saying that, if he would only speak to her, the
> > > > > great dragon's anger would be assuaged, and her rage disappear. In
> > > > > obedience to this behest, Anu went to try his power with the monster
>
> > > > > but on beholding her snarling face, feared to approach her, and
> turned
> > > > > back. Nudimmud was next called upon to become the representative of
> > > > > the gods against their foe, but his success was as that of Anu, and
> it
> > > > > became needful to seek another champion.
> > > > >
> > > > > And choose Merodach as their champion.
> > > > >
> > > > > The choice fell upon Merodach, the Belus (Bel-Merodach) of Damascius
> s
> > > > > paraphrase, and at once met with an enthusiastic reception. The god
> > > > > asked simply that an "unchangeable command" might be given to him--
> > > > > that whatever he ordained should without fail come to pass, in order
> > > > > that he might destroy the common enemy. Invitations were sent to the
> > > > > gods asking them to a festival, where, having met together, they ate
> > > > > and drank, and "decided the fate" for Merodach their avenger,
> > > > > apparently meaning that he was decreed their defender in the
> conflict
> > > > > with Tiawath, and that the power of creating and annihilating by the
> > > > > word of his mouth was his. Honours were then conferred upon him;
> > > > > princely chambers were erected for him, wherein he sat as judge "in
> > > > > the presence of his fathers," and the rule over the whole universe
> was
> > > > > given to him. The testing of his newly acquired power followed. A
> > > > > garment was placed in their midst:
> > > > >
> > > > > "He spake with his mouth, and the garment was destroyed,
> > > > > He spake to it again, and the garment was reproduced."
> > > > >
> > > > > Merodach proclaimed king.
> > > > >
> > > > > On this proof of the reality of the powers conferred on him, all the
> > > > > gods shouted "Merodach is king!" and handed to him sceptre, throne,
> > > > > and insignia of royalty. An irresistible weapon, which should
> shatter
> > > > > all his enemies, was then given to him, and he armed himself also
> with
> > > > > spear or dart, bow, and quiver; lightning flashed before him, and
> > > > > flaming fire filled his body. Anu, the god of the heavens, had given
> > > > > him a great net, and this he set at the four cardinal points, in
> order
> > > > > that nothing of the dragon, when he had defeated her, should escape.
> > > > > Seven winds he then created to accompany him, and the great weapon
> > > > > called /Abubu/, "the Flood," completed his equipment. All being
> ready,
> > > > > he mounted his dreadful, irresistible chariot, to which four steeds
> > > > > were yoked--steeds unsparing, rushing forward, rapid in flight,
> their
> > > > > teeth full of venom, foam-covered, experienced in galloping,
> schooled
> > > > > in overthrowing. Being now ready for the fray, Merodach fared forth
> to
> > > > > meet Tiawath, accompanied by the fervent good wishes of "the gods
> his
> > > > > fathers."
> > > > >
> > > > > The fight with Tiawath.
> > > > >
> > > > > Advancing, he regarded Tiawath's retreat, but the sight of the enemy
> > > > > was so menacing that even the great Merodach (if we understand the
> > > > > text rightly) began to falter. This, however, was not for long, and
> > > > > the king of the gods stood before Tiawath, who, on her side,
> remained
> > > > > firm and undaunted. In a somewhat long speech, in which he
> reproaches
> > > > > Tiawath for her rebellion, he challenges her to battle, and the two
> > > > > meet in fiercest fight. To all appearance the type of all evil did
> not
> > > > > make use of honest weapons, but sought to overcome the king of the
> > > > > gods with incantations and charms. These, however, had not the
> > > > > slightest effect, for she found herself at once enclosed in Merodach
> s
> > > > > net, and on opening her mouth to resist and free herself, the evil
> > > > > wind, which Merodach had sent on before him, entered, so that she
> > > > > could not close her lips, and thus inflated, her heart was
> > > > > overpowered, and she became a prey to her conqueror. Having cut her
> > > > > asunder and taken out her heart, thus destroying her life, he threw
> > > > > her body down and stood thereon... Her followers then attempted to
> > > > > escape, but found themselves surrounded and unable to get forth.
> Like
> > > > > their mistress, they were thrown into the net, and sat in bonds,
> being
> > > > > afterwards shut up in prison. As for Kingu, he was raised up, bound,
> > > > > and delivered to be with Ugga, the god of death. The tablets of fate
>
> > > > > which Tiawath had delivered to Kingu, were taken from him by
> Merodach,
> > > > > who pressed his seal upon them, and placed them in his breast. The
> > > > > deity Anšar, who had been, as it would seem, deprived of his
> rightful
> > > > > power by Tiawath, received that power again on the death of the
> common
> > > > > foe, and Nudimmud "saw his desire upon his enemy."
> > > > >
> > > > > Tiawath's fate..
> > > > >
> > > > > The dismemberment of Tiawath then followed, and her veins having
> been
> > > > > cut through, the north wind was caused by the deity to carry her
> blood
> > > > > away into secret places, a statement which probably typifies the
> > > > > opening of obstructions which prevent the rivers flowing from the
> > > > > north from running into the southern seas, helped thereto by the
> north
> > > > > wind. Finally her body was divided, like "a /mašdê/-fish," into
> two
> > > > > parts, one of which was made into a covering for the heavens--the
> > > > > "waters above the firmament" of Genesis i. 7.
> > > > >
> > > > > Merodach orders the world anew.
> > > > >
> > > > > Then came the ordering of the universe anew. Having made a covering
> > > > > for the heavens with half the body of the defeated Dragon of Chaos,
> > > > > Merodach set the Abyss, the abode of Nudimmud, in front, and made a
> > > > > corresponding edifice above--the heavens--where he founded stations
> > > > > for the gods Anu, Bel, and Ae. Stations for the great gods in the
> > > > > likeness of constellations, together with what is regarded as the
> > > > > Zodiac, were his next work. He then designated the year, setting
> three
> > > > > constellations for each month, and made a station for Nibiru--
> > > > > Merodach's own star--as the overseer of all the lights in the
> > > > > firmament. He then caused the new moon, Nannaru, to shine, and made
> > > > > him the ruler of the night, indicating his phases, one of which was
> on
> > > > > the seventh day, and the other, a /Å¡abattu/, or day of rest, in the
> > > > > middle of the month. Directions with regard to the moon's movements
> > > > > seem to follow, but the record is mutilated, and their real nature
> > > > > consequently doubtful. With regard to other works which were
> performed
> > > > > we have no information, as a gap prevents their being ascertained.
> > > > > Something, however, seems to have been done with Merodach's net--
> > > > > probably it was placed in the heavens as a constellation, as was his
> > > > > bow, to which several names were given. Later on, the winds were
> bound
> > > > > and assigned to their places, but the account of the arrangement of
> > > > > other things is mutilated and obscure, though it can be recognised
> > > > > that the details in this place were of considerable interest.
> > > > >
> > > > > The creation of man.
> > > > >
> > > > > To all appearance the gods, after he had ordered the universe and
> the
> > > > > things then existing, urged Merodach to further works of wonder.
> > > > > Taking up their suggestion, he considered what he should do, and
> then
> > > > > communicated to his father Ae his plan for the creation of man with
> > > > > his own blood, in order that the service and worship of the gods
> might
> > > > > be established. This portion is also unfortunately very imperfect,
> and
> > > > > the details of the carrying out of the plan are entirely wanting.
> > > > >
> > > > > Berosus' narrative fills the gap.
> > > > >
> > > > > It is noteworthy that this portion of the narrative has been
> preserved
> > > > > by Abydenus, George the Syncellus, and Eusebius, in their quotations
> > > > > from Berosus. According to this Chaldæan writer, there was a woman
> > > > > named Omoroca, or, in Chaldæan, Thalatth (apparently a mistake for
> > > > > Thauatth, i.e. Tiawath), whose name was equivalent to the Greek
> > > > > Thalassa, the sea. It was she who had in her charge all the strange
> > > > > creatures then existing. At this period, Belus (Bel-Merodach) came,
> > > > > and cut the woman asunder, forming out of one half the earth, and of
> > > > > the other the heavens, at the same time destroying all the creatures
> > > > > which were within her--all this being an allegory, for the whole
> > > > > universe consists of moisture, and creatures are constantly
> generated
> > > > > therein. The deity then cut off his own head, and the other gods
> mixed
> > > > > the blood, as it gushed out, with the earth, and from this men were
> > > > > formed. Hence it is that men are rational, and partake of divine
> > > > > knowledge.
> > > > >
> > > > > A second creation.
> > > > >
> > > > > This Belsus, "who is called Zeus," divided the darkness, separated
> the
> > > > > heavens from the earth, and reduced the universe to order. The
> animals
> > > > > which had been created, however, not being able to bear the light,
> > > > > died. Belus then, seeing the void thus made, ordered one of the gods
> > > > > to take off his head, and mix the blood with the soil, forming other
> > > > > men and animals which should be able to bear the light. He also
> formed
> > > > > the stars, the sun, the moon, and the five planets. It would thus
> seem
> > > > > that there were two creations, the first having been a failure
> because
> > > > > Belus had not foreseen that it was needful to produce beings which
> > > > > should be able to bear the light. Whether this repetition was really
> > > > > in the Babylonian legend, or whether Berosus (or those who quote
> him)
> > > > > has merely inserted and united two varying accounts, will only be
> > > > > known when the cuneiform text is completed.
> > > > >
> > > > > The concluding tablet.
> > > > >
> > > > > The tablet of the fifty-one names completes the record of the
> tablets
> > > > > found at Nineveh and Babylon. In this Merodach receives the titles
> of
> > > > > all the other gods, thus identifying him with them, and leading to
> > > > > that tendency to monotheism of which something will be said later on
>
> > > > > In this text, which is written, like the rest of the legend, in
> > > > > poetical form, Merodach is repeatedly called /Tutu/, a mystic word
> > > > > meaning "creator," and "begetter," from the reduplicate root /tu/ or
> > > > > /utu/--which was to all appearances his name when it was desired to
> > > > > refer to him especially in that character. Noteworthy in this
> portion
> > > > > is the reference to Merodach's creation of mankind:--
> > > > >
> > > > > Line 25. "Tuto: Aga-azaga (the glorious crown)--may he make the
> crowns
> > > > > glorious.
> > > > > 26. The lord of the glorious incantation bringing the dead to
> > > > > life;
> > > > > 27. He who had mercy on the gods who had been overpowered;
> > > > > 28. Made heavy the yoke which he had laid on the gods who were
> > > > > his enemies,
> > > > > 29. (And) to redeem(?) them, created mankind.
> > > > > 30. 'The merciful one,' 'he with whom is salvation,'
> > > > > 31. May his word be established, and not forgotten,
> > > > > 32. In the mouth of the black-headed ones[*] whom his hands have
> > > > > made."
> > > > >
> > > > > [*] I...e. mankind.
> > > > >
> > > > > Man the redeemer.
> > > > >
> > > > > The phrase "to redeem them" is, in the original, /ana padi-Å¡unu/,
> the
> > > > > verb being from /padû/, "to spare," "set free," and if this
> rendering
> > > > > be correct, as seems probable, the Babylonian reasons for the
> creation
> > > > > of mankind would be, that they might carry on the service and
> worship
> > > > > of the gods, and by their righteousness redeem those enemies of the
> > > > > gods who were undergoing punishment for their hostility. Whether by
> > > > > this Tiawath, Apsu, Mummu, Kingu, and the monsters whom she had
> > > > > created were included, or only the gods of heaven who had joined her
>
> > > > > the record does not say. Naturally, this doctrine depends entirely
> > > > > upon the correctness of the translation of the words quoted. Jensen,
> > > > > who first proposed this rendering, makes no attempt to explain it,
> and
> > > > > simply asks: "Does 'them' in 'to redeem(?) them' refer to the gods
> > > > > named in line 28 or to mankind and then to a future--how meant?--
> > > > > redemption? Eschatology? Zimmern's 'in their place' unprovable.
> > > > > Delitzsch refrains from an explanation. "
> > > > >
> > > > > The bilingual account of the creation. Aruru aids Merodach.
> > > > >
> > > > > Whilst dealing with this part of the religious beliefs of the
> > > > > Babylonians, a few words are needed concerning the creation-story
> > > > > which is prefixed to an incantation used in a purification ceremony.
> > > > > The original text is Sumerian (dialectic), and is provided with a
> > > > > Semitic translation. In this inscription, after stating that nothing
> > > > > (in the beginning) existed, and even the great cities and temples of
> > > > > Babylonia were as yet unbuilt, the condition of the world is briefly
> > > > > indicated by the statement that "All the lands were sea." The
> renowned
> > > > > cities of Babylonia seem to have been regarded as being as much
> > > > > creations of Merodach as the world and its inhabitants- -indeed, it
> is
> > > > > apparently for the glorification of those cities by attributing
> their
> > > > > origin to Merodach, that the bilingual account of the creation was
> > > > > composed.. "When within the sea there was a stream"--that is, when
> the
> > > > > veins of Tiawath had been cut through--Ã� ridu (probably = Paradise)
> and
> > > > > the temple Ã� -sagila within the Abyss were constructed, and after
> that
> > > > > Babylon and the earthly temple of Ã� -sagila within it. Then he made
> the
> > > > > gods and the Annunnaki (the gods of the earth), proclaimed a
> glorious
> > > > > city as the seat of the joy of their hearts, and afterwards made a
> > > > > pleasant place in which the gods might dwell. The creation of
> mankind
> > > > > followed, in which Merodach was aided by the goddess Aruru, who made
> > > > > mankind's seed. Finally, plants, trees, and the animals, were
> > > > > produced, after which Merodach constructed bricks, beams, houses,
> and
> > > > > cities, including Niffer and Erech with their renowned temples.
> > > > >
> > > > > We see here a change in the teaching with regard to Merodach--the
> gods
> > > > > are no longer spoken of as "his fathers," but he is the creator of
> the
> > > > > gods, as well as of mankind.
> > > > >
> > > > > The order of the gods in the principal lists.
> > > > >
> > > > > It is unfortunate that no lists of gods have been found in a
> > > > > sufficiently complete state to allow of the scheme after which they
> > > > > were drawn up to be determined without uncertainty. It may,
> > > > > nevertheless, be regarded as probable that these lists, at least in
> > > > > some cases, are arranged in conformity (to a certain extent) with
> the
> > > > > appearance of the deities in the so-called creation-story. Some of
> > > > > them begin with Anu, and give him various names, among them being
> > > > > Anšar and Kišar, Lahmu and Lahame, etc. More specially interesting
>
> > > > > however, is a well-known trilingual list of gods, which contains the
> > > > > names of the various deities in the following order:--
> > > > >
> > > > > EXTRACTS FROM THE TRILINGUAL LIST
> > > > > /Obverse/
> > > > >
> > > > > Sumer. Dialect Sumer. Standard Common Explanation
> > > > > (Semit. or Sumer.)
> > > > >
> > > > > 1. Dimmer Dingir ÃŽlu God.
> > > > > 2. U-ki En-ki Ã� -a Ã� a or Aa.
> > > > > 3. Gašan(?)-ki Nin-ki Dawkina Dauké, the
> > > > > consort of Ã� a.
> > > > > 4. Mu-ul-lil En-lil-la Bêl The God Bel.
> > > > > 5. E-lum A-lim Bêl
> > > > > 6. Gašan(?)-lil Nin-lil-la dam-bi sal Bel's
> > > > > consort.
> > > > > 7. U-lu-a Ni-rig Ã� nu-rêštu The god of
> > > > > Niffer.
> > > > > 8. U-lib-a Ni-rig Ã� nu-rêštu
> > > > >
> > > > > 9-12 have Ã� nu-rêštu's consort, sister, and attendant.
> > > > >
> > > > > 13. U-Å¡ab-sib En-Å¡ag-duga Nusku Nusku
> > > > >
> > > > > 14-19 have two other names of Nusku, followed by three names of his
> > > > > consort. A number of names of minor divinities then follow. At
> > > > > line 43 five names of Ã� a are given, followed by four of
> > > > > Merodach:--
> > > > >
> > > > > 48. U-bi-lu-lu En-bi-lu-lu Marduk Merodach
> > > > > 49. U-Tin-dir ki En-Tin-dir ki Marduk Merodach as
> > > > > lord of Babylon."
> > > > > 50. U-dimmer-an- kia En-dinger-an- kia Marduk Merodach
> > > > > as "lord god of heaven and earth."
> > > > > 51. U-ab-Å¡ar-u En-ab-Å¡ar-u Marduk Merodach,
> > > > > apparently as "lord of the 36,000 steers."
> > > > > 52. U-bar-gi-si Nin-bar-gi-si Zer-panîtum Merodach's
> > > > > consort.
> > > > > 53. Gašan-abzu Nin-abzu dam-bi sal "the Lady of
> > > > > the Abyss," his consort.
> > > > >
> > > > > The remainder of the obverse is mutilated, but gave the names of
> Nebo
> > > > > in Sumerian, and apparently also of Tašmêtum, his consort. The
> > > > > beginning of the reverse also is mutilated, but seems to have given
> > > > > the names of the sun-god, Šamaš, and his consort, followed by
> those of
> > > > > Kîttu and Mêšarum, "justice and righteousness, " his attend
> > > > > ...
> > > > >
> > > > > [Message clipped]
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _
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