Mithraism and Bullfighting

Dear Parviz

Call it whatever you want, but the mere fact that rituals in themselves are criminal to perform is enough of an argument to keep them from the public arena. There are other reasons too. As I have said before, we are not expected to perform sexual acts in public (unless we are pornographic actors), then why should we always be expected to perform our religious rituals - that are if anything even more private - in public?

There was no bull and no fight in Manicheism and Mithraism was definitely a much stronger influence in the western Mediterranean than Manicheism. Bullfighting was not a Moorish invention, but dates back to Roman times prior to Manicheism. If anything, it even has Minoan roots (the hellenistic aspect of Mihraism rather than its Persian origin). So I stand by my argument, unconvinced Manicheism has any major part in bullfighting culture.

Ushta
Alexander

2010/10/18 Parviz Varjavand
- Dölj citerad text -


Dear Alex,

I claim that you are wrong and that there was plenty of Manicheism amongst the Moors and in France. Also, please do not link drinking of Haoma (hoom) to Mithraism, that would be a betrayal of the tenants of a great heritage and bringing it down to a Rastafarian level. I know that in north Europe, they used to feed a mildly toxic but highly hallucinogenic mushroom first to cows and then drink the urine of that cow in order to get high. Maybe that is what you have re-discovered. At least keep me posted if something good to drink is brewing! I am game!

Mehr Afzoon,
Parviz


--- On Mon, 10/18/10, Alexander Bard wrote:

From: Alexander Bard
Subject: Re: [Ushta] Re: Anglomithraic: THE TRINITY & THE FACES OF MITHRAS
To: Ushta@yahoogroups.com
Date: Monday, October 18, 2010, 5:44 AM



No, there was no Manicheism around in southern Spain.

Bullfighting is definitely a remnant of Mithraic practices.
Producing and drinking haoma is illegal in U.S., Iranian, Indian and European law. This fact is enough to assure us that Mithraism is and can not be a public activity but must be practiced in strict privacy.
Ushta
Alexander

2010/10/17 Parviz Varjavand

Thanks Alex for getting the humor intended.

But this is how the Church got rid of so much of Mithraism in the first place. Under torture by the Inquisition, they made the Pagans and Mithraists who were probably very decent persons confess to all kind of gross things in their "Black Mass" and got away with it. There is no evidence whatsoever that a bull was actually killed in a Mithraic ritual. You can not kill a bull with a stab on its shoulder. Bullfights are probably a Manichean ritual trying to show the dominion of what they refer to Higher Faculties (praying to the Maker in the skies) over Lower Faculties (having sex and building homes).The real demons where the fathers in the Christian Church ( many of them Manichean's, like Saint Augustin) and not amongst the Pagans and Mithraists. It was the Christians who set Rome on fire and then blamed it on Nero.

Mehr Afzoon,
Parviz


--- On Sun, 10/17/10, Alexander Bard wrote:

From: Alexander Bard
Subject: Re: [Ushta] Re: Anglomithraic: THE TRINITY & THE FACES OF MITHRAS
To: Ushta@yahoogroups.com
Date: Sunday, October 17, 2010, 1:06 AM



Hahaha, I just said I was not into roleplaying. I'm into reality and the well-being of the mind. Cats and dogs are safe.

But seriously; don't you know that the consumption of haoma is illegal in most countries? Now how on earth do you expect that then to be a public activity? Just as an example.
You overrate the value of keeping things public in the internet age. When things go public, this is precisely when matters get consumed and exploited and lose all their sacred value. And even are rewarded with prison sentences.
My love life is not public either. I don't show it with cameras online.
Now why should religious ritual be any more public than sex? Why not stay private?
Ushta
Alexander

2010/10/16 Parviz Varjavand

A word to the wise!

A lot of cats have been missing, also small dogs. They seem to get lost around the times these secret meetings take place. I don't care what some persons want to do in secret, but I can't stand it when poor little animals have to suffer.

Keep an eye on your pets around the time of these secret meetings!