Saturday 20 October 2007

Cannibal themes in mythology and religion

Picture : "Saturn devouring his children", Francisco de Goya.

Cannibalism features prominently in many mythologies; cannibal ogresses appear in folklore around the world, the witch in Hansel and Gretel being a popular example.

A number of stories in Greek mythology involve cannibalism, in particular cannibalism of close family members, for example the stories of Thyestes, Tereus and especially Cronus, who was Saturn in the Roman pantheon. The story of Tantalus also parallels this. These mythologies inspired Shakespeare's cannibalism scene in Titus Andronicus.

According to Catholic dogma, bread and wine are transubstantiated into the real flesh and blood of Jesus (the eucharist), which are then distributed by the priest to the faithful. The accusations of cannibalism made against ancient Christians may reflect earlier versions of such beliefs but should also be understood as a form of libel (see above), expressing anxiety and concern about a new and somewhat secretive religious group. Christians in turn accused their opponents, such as the Gnostic sect of the Borborites, of cannibalism and ritual abuse.

In Hindu mythology, cannibals are usually forest-dwellers that refuse to join society and are known as Rakkshasa. However, there have also been Rakkshasas, said to be shape-shifting creatures. However in & according to Hindu mythology Rakkshasa or Devils are a separate group or tribe of barbaric humans who not only are carnivorous but are also some times turn in to cannibals when ever they need to revenge of their enemy(ies)otherwise they are the folk who are deeply involved in sinful and unlawful acts which are against moral values of humanity.And thus are referred to as "Rakkshasa". So it can be said that all cannibals are devils but all devils are not cannibals as observed in Hindu mythology.--Kabir pal 19:54, 21 September 2007 (UTC)

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