In Reply to: Go flick yourself posted by Chinese American on July 12, 2006 at 05:16:51:
NewDayNews Open House
religious prostitution then & now
Posted By: Chris
Date: Tuesday, 11 July 2006, at 6:12 a.m.
Interesting that religious prostitution (RP) whether in ancient Greece or in ancient ancient Baal worship was not just a means of raising revenue for the local temple or even as a fringe benefit for the priests. Rather this RP grew directly out of their doctrines that Baal & the others required sexual satisfaction in order to bless his worshippers. Also noted is the strong link between the fertility of the land and human fertility.
The first point is that TF is nothing new.
The second is that the origins of the 'loving Jesus' so-called revelations (LJR) seem to be deeply occultic, whether the participants realise it or not.
The third point is that ancient Israel strenuously rejected such doctrines, NOT because the nation was morally pure (as Scripture shows 'regular' prostitutes, while not condoned, were plying their trade) but because the mixture of true worship with such RP was offensively contrary to the nature of God Himself as creator of all and therefore not subject to creation itself.
The core of the LJR is that God Himself in the person of Jesus Christ participates even now while in heaven in our human physical world and can be influenced thru sexual favours which somehow prove one's dedication. This demotes God to the likes of Baal or perhaps actually identifies the LJR with OT Baal worship.
http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=1577