[3:183] It is they who said, “GOD has made a covenant with us that we shall not believe in any messenger, unless he produces an offering that gets consumed by fire.” Say, “Messengers before me have come to you with clear proofs, including what you just demanded. Why then did you kill them, if you are truthful?”
[3:184] If they reject you, messengers before you have been rejected, even though they brought proofs, the Psalms, and the enlightening scripture.
A burnt offering in Judaism (Hebrew: קָרְבַּן עוֹלָה, korban olah), is a form of sacrifice first described in the Hebrew Bible. The term is first used of the sacrifices of Noah. In the First Temple and Second Temple period the burnt offering was a twice-daily animal sacrifice offered on the altar in the temple in Jerusalem that was completely consumed by fire.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burnt_offering_%28Judaism%29
2 Chronicles 7
The Dedication of the Temple
1. When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. 2. The priests could not enter the temple of the Lord because the glory of the Lord filled it. 3. When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the Lord above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord, saying, “He is good; his love endures forever.”
Why does it appear that there was more emphasis on sacrifice in the previous generations than there is currently?
Technically when we kill an animal for food we need to mention God’s name upon that animal. As we have become more disassociated with the preparation of our meat this day to day practice has been diminished.
If we kill a spider should we mention God’s name? Is that right or wrong?
[6:151] Say, “Come let me tell you what your Lord has really prohibited for you: You shall not set up idols besides Him. You shall honor your parents. You shall not kill your children from fear of poverty – we provide for you and for them. You shall not commit gross sins, obvious or hidden. You shall not kill – GOD has made life sacred – except in the course of justice. These are His commandments to you, that you may understand.”
When God mentions that He has made life sacred in the Quran in 6:151, 17:33, and 25:68 it appears to be referring to human life, but God does make an emphasis in regards to livestock as a blessing and requiring to mention God’s name upon sacrificing them.
[22:36] The animal offerings are among the rites decreed by GOD for your own good.* You shall mention GOD’s name on them while they are standing in line. Once they are offered for sacrifice, you shall eat therefrom and feed the poor and the needy. This is why we subdued them for you, that you may show your appreciation.
[22:37] Neither their meat, nor their blood reaches GOD. What reaches Him is your righteousness. He has subdued them for you, that you may show your appreciation by glorifying GOD for guiding you. Give good news to the charitable.
Every creature in this planet is a soul that was placed into that animal to perform the function in this world. This constitutes every mosquito, every ant, every spider. If we have to kill any of God’s creations we should be conscientious of that and appreciative of God’s creations. If we can see the beauty in all of God’s creations we will be a lot more appreciative.
The Cockroach – The Perfect Creature
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAy4DjbWmX0
[25:63] The worshipers of the Most Gracious are those who tread the earth gently, and when the ignorant speak to them, they only utter peace.
Why is it easier to kill an insect or a smaller animal and not a larger one?
“Anger Erupts After Danish Zoo Kills a ‘Surplus’ Giraffe”
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/10/world/europe/anger-erupts-over-danish-zoos-decision-to-put-down-a-giraffe.html?_r=0
Shooting an Elephant – George Orwell
http://www.online-literature.com/orwell/887/
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